Dumbarton and Vale residents enjoy garden party with the Queen

The attendees were nominated to attend the prestigious event in the grounds of the Palace of Holyrood House after making a difference in their community.

They included Sheena Rollo who won a Provost Civic Award as part of the Dumbarton District MS Group for 50 years’ of support.

Sheena attended along with her daughter Wendy and together the pair enjoyed a day which will live long in the memory.

She told the Reporter: "It was a beautiful day in Edinburgh, the sun was shining and everyone looked amazing in their wonderful outfits, gents in their top hats, morning suits, while others looked resplendent in their kilts.

"The ladies all looked beautiful with their lovely outfits and matching hats. There were many serving military personnel in full uniform as well as fire brigade and police officers attending.

"It was totally surreal being so close to so many of the Royal Family, the Queen, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne. We were standing very close to the Royal party and had the opportunity to get some amazing photographs.

"The hospitality was quite delicious, the whole event was a huge success, my daughter and I had a lovely day, one we will always remember."

Jim McLaren, who was named West Dunbartonshire's Citizen of the Year last year for his work to create the Golden Friendship club in Clydebank, was also in attendance.

Jim set up the group in 2017 and since then it has helped hundreds of locals get out and take part in a number of events and activities.

He added: “It was an absolutely wonderful day and I was so privileged to be there. I took my 75-year-old mother, Agnes, with me. She has been involved with Golden Friendships right from the start, I set it up shortly after my dad died and she has been there three days a week since then helping me. It has been a new lease of life for her.

“When I won Citizen of the Year, I told her straight away that she was coming with me to meet the Queen. For me, seeing how much she enjoyed it made the day even more special for me. Princess Anne came right up to us and said good afternoon which was lovely."

Other civic award winners and nominees in attendance included Brian McCluskey, Phil Dawson, Paul Kane, Allan Rutherford, Kevin Crawford, Ross Anderson, John Dyer, Lorraine McCullough, and the Food for Thought and Community Soup group.

Council employees nominated by their manager to attend included Catherine Lawler, Yvonne Caulfield, Suzie Short, Marie Mcwatt, Shona Gormley, Linda Butler and Jonathan Hoyland.

The group was welcomed to Clydebank Town Hall by Provost William Hendrie before they travelled through to Edinburgh for the celebration.

Provost Hendrie said: “It was great to see such deserving residents so excited to be part of the garden party.

“This is a great way for us to let these people know how much their hard work and dedication means to the communities around West Dunbartonshire."