ACROSS Dumbarton and the Vale, there have been tributes from local dignitaries and political figures to the Queen, following the news of her death.
Flags across the area were lowered to half-mast after news of her death was announced by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, September 8.
The country will mark her passing with a 10-day period of national mourning.
A book of condolence was opened at the Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton, Clydebank Town Hall and online, to offer residents the opportunity to share their own tributes.
Provost Douglas McAllister, who spent time in the Queen’s company during her last visit to West Dunbartonshire as part a UK tour to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her selfless dedication to the service of our country has been consistent throughout the past 70 years and her loss will be mourned by residents across all generations.
“On behalf of the people of West Dunbartonshire, I send my condolences and deepest sympathies to the Royal family. We will now mark Her Majesty’s dedicated service to the nation by flying Union flags at half-mast.”
Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire, commented: “Thursday was a day of great sadness: Queen Elizabeth’s passing turns the page on an incredible 70-year reign, and for so many people in Dumbarton she has been such a constant through these times, and the changes that we have all seen around us.
“In the constitutional monarchy that we live in, it is the role of the Head of State to stay above the political fray, and ensure that parliament is able to do its work: and throughout her reign Queen Elizabeth discharged her role perfectly, her silent authority adapting itself almost imperceptibly to changing social and political mores.
“My sympathies and condolences are with her family at this time, and with the people of the Royal Burgh of Dumbarton for whom this will be a time of great sorrow.
"Like many of us, I will be taking time over the coming days to reflect on the role she has played in the history of people across our islands over these 70 years.”
Dumbarton’s constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, said: “It is a very sad time for the country following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I know many people across the country will be mourning her loss.
“She has served the nation with grace, humour and intelligence for the last 70 years and will leave an incredible legacy which will rightly be praised over the coming days, weeks and months. She has been an inspiration to the Commonwealth and to the world.
“The Queen was above all a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother, so my condolences are to her family. She was much loved and respected and will be much missed.”
Martin Rooney, leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, offered his respects and said: “The death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth marks the end of an era. In an uncertain and ever-changing world, she was a beacon of stability and continuity.
“It was never a dull moment for her as Head of State over the past seventy years, she had the pleasure of working with every prime minister from Winston Churchill onwards. She hosted commonwealth leaders, presidents and heads of state from around the globe over this time, becoming a part of the fabric of our daily lives through television, radio and newspapers.
“Despite the competing demands of her role and the impact on her family life, she remained accessible to the British public throughout her reign with her royal duties, walkabouts and her many charitable activities.”
Councillor Rooney continued: “Like so many other people in the UK and across the world, I was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her from time to time. In the 1980s, she visited my old regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
"In the 1990s I was selected to represent the Army Cadet Force at the Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh and since getting elected as a councillor I had the pleasure of being introduced to Her Majesty and Prince Philip at St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank.
“We often refer to the veterans of World War Two as our greatest generation; Her Majesty was part of that generation. This will undoubtedly be a very sad time for King Charles and the Royal family, but Queen Elizabeth was loved and admired from afar by many and will be dearly missed by us all.
"Like others I am saddened at her passing but my overwhelming emotion is of pride, not only was she was the longest serving and most successful monarch we have ever had, but she touched all our lives in one way or another and will always be regarded with great affection by the British public.”
Councillor David McBride (Labour, Dumbarton) commented: “Many residents will be deeply sorry to learn of the sad passing of the Queen.
“I am sure they will have many fond memories of her long service of dedication to her duties, she has been the one constant in almost all our lives and will be sadly missed by so many.”
Councillor Hazel Sorrell (Labour, Lomond) said: “I was saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
“She has been a monarch who exemplified what dedicated public service means. She opened up the Royal Family and became the most travelled and accessible monarch in British history.
"Through her leadership and example, the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth had a leader that was loved, respected and admired throughout the world.
“I have already heard the Queen being referred to as Elizabeth the Great. This is a title she has certainly earned. The Queen has left a legacy of stability and compassionate leadership that gifts His Majesty King Charles a firm foundation on which a modern monarchy can continue to thrive.”
West Scotland Conservative MSP Pam Gosal said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“At this moment my thoughts and prayers are with all our Royal Family, friends, and the nation – all of whom are mourning the loss of our dear Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty has been a constant in all our lives, and we always have and always will have an unwavering love and respect for her.
“For 70 years Her Majesty has been the beating heart of our nation. Her Majesty stands at the heart of British values, at the core of our identity as a nation, for she was not only our leader and Queen, but a mother to our United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
“Her Majesty, we will never forget all that you have done for our nation in your 70 years of service.”
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