ELLON & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
Speaker Mike Urquhart (R/H) with president Frank Reilly. Mike is a serving Police Officer with 25 years service and due to retire in around eleven months time.
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Probus Club Meeting 9th April 2026
Speaker Mike Urquhart on the subject of “Crime Reduction”
Mike commenced his talk focusing mainly on fraud, and scams. In the Grampian district around one million in money is lost each month due to this criminal activity, and the police are made aware of around 40% of this at any one time. Most crime gangs operate from abroad and the stolen money is shifted from one bank account to another in rapid succession until finally changed into Crypto Currency making it untraceable.
The Push Payment fraud method is most common where vulnerable people are induced into transfering money into a fraudster’s bank account. Criminals are very convincing on a telephone having obtained bank details from Credit Cards and other sources, and they actually employ people who have worked in banks before.
Mike gave us some examples of people who had been defrauded of their money and the methods used by fraudsters to obtain their ill gotten gains. The banks in turn do their best to prevent scams and fraud by using double and treble layer security.
Some good advice was then handed out by Mike in protecting oneself from falling victim. Never respond to a caller pretending to be from your bank, hang up and call your bank for verification using another phone. Using WiFi in public places not recommended and providing too much info about yourself on the likes of Facebook should be avoided. Protect passwords by either writing them down in a note book known only to you, or use password manager on your device which will create and securely store it for you. Finally always do the software updates on your device the moment they arrive as they are security related.
This was a hugely informative talk and members asked many questions followed by John Gatt giving the Vote of Thanks to Mike for one of the best we have had in a while.
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Another new member Brian Topp (R/H) joined the club today here being made welcome by President Frank Reilly.
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Naomi Watson with president Frank Reilly.
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Painting of the Battle of Jutland which took place between 31st may and 1st June 1916. A total of 250 ships of various classes took part with 25 ships sunk, and 8645 men perished.
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Probus Club Meeting 26th March 2026. ============================
Speaker today, Naomi Watson on the topic of “Diving the wrecks of the battle of Jutland”.
The Club has had the good fortune of having Naomi as our speaker today for the second time. Diving on sea wrecks has been her pastime over the years and her talk today was on such a venture over the wrecks of the Battle of Jutland.
Naomi’s talk commenced with a history of the Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark, and a detailed account of the manoeuvres the various ships made during the battle. In perticular the ships of interest were the Royal Navy ships Defence, Indefaticable, Invincible, and Queen Mary, and also the German battle cruiser SMS Weisbaden. All these ships were sunk during the battle and were the subject of the dives made by Naomi and eleven other colleague’s on these wrecks.
The wrecks lay in a water depth of between 40-60 meters and at a water temperature of around 11 degrees centigrade. Over a 14 day period the team made 8 dives over the wrecks, and Naomi was to show many pictures she took of these dives on the projector screen. Being classed as war graves the team were not allowed to disturbe anything or retrieve any artefacts from the wrecks. Not that they would have wanted to according to Naomi, as live ammunition and shells were littered all around them.
In her closing statement Naomi mentioned the memorial park which is in Jutland Denmark in memory of all those who lost their lives in this terrible conflict of WW1.
On behalf of members present Alan barker then gave the Vote of Thanks for this talk of great interest by Naomi.
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New member Peter Twine (R/H) reciving his welcome pack from president Frank Reilly.
Probus Club Meeting 12th March 2026. Speaker: Martin Grey on the Pluscarden Monks and Abbey.
Aerial view of Pluscarden Abbey located in Morayshire Scotland.
The Abbey was founded in 1230 by Alexander II for the Valliscaulian Order which originated in France. In 1454 it became a Benedictine priory, but in 1680 after the reformation in Scotland it fell into ruin . Following WW2 a Benedictine order of monks restored the abbey in 1948 and it reached abbatial status in 1974. Today there are around fifteen monks who live a monastic life and run the Abbey.
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Martin’s talk commenced with a narrative of his early life, brought up in a non-religious family, his father left home when he was four leaving his mother to cope bringing up the family.This had a profound effect on his young teenage years leaving him with difficulty in trusting people. As he grew into adulthood he was quite successful with a good job, house, plenty of sports, but difficulty with relationships. His life as he put it lacked purpose and meaning.
His life took a turn for the better when he started a friendship with Sharon, a catholic woman who invited him to the Alpha programme at the Pluscarden Abbey in 2022. He attended church regularly and found a new sense of purpose in his life.The monks at the Abbey give guidance on how a person can achieve peace and a deeper understanding of life around them. Pluscarden Abbey provides accomodation and is available to both men and women who wish to seek peace and fullfilment in their lives. Martin’s closing statement “what can it do for you?” it changed his life, and having taken many questions from members the Vote of Thanks was given by Alan Barker.
Our speaker today Martin Grey (R/H) on the Pluscarden Monks, and a life changed from darkness to light.
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President Frank Reilly welcomes new member Jock Taylor (R/H) into the club today.
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Gordon demonstrating a very practicle umbrella as used by some of the many tribal groups he encountered.
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Members Thelma Paterson, and Fred Crawford have a browse at some of the many artefacts brought back by Gordon on his expedition.
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Members asked many question following Gordon’s talk, and he also brought along many artefacts collected during the expedition for members to inspect and comment on…. all fascinating stuff!!
In appreciation for a hugely interesting talk David Crosley gave the Vote of Thanks to Gordon.
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Probus Club Meeting 26th Feb: 2026.
Speaker today our very own member Gordon Benton (l/h) on his memorable Trans Borneo Expedition in 1978.
Gordon commenced his talk with an explanation of why the expedition was put together in the first place. Nobody had ever done a North to South trek of Borneo before from North Sabha, through Sarawak and then south into Kalimantan. Gordon together with five colleagues were going to have a go, near 2000 miles (not in a straight line), three times larger than the UK, and no known maps. In fact they had to ask NASA to help out with the latter.
Borneo was a land of immense forrest and mountainous terrain, 4500 flora, and 300 odd bird species together with monkeys and land animals. Humans settled in Borneo around 40,000 years ago and have separated out into near 500 seperate ethnic tribal groups. The jungle canopy being so thick that it blocks out 95% of the light.
The expedition started in northern Sabha at a place called “tg Mengayu” and proceeded through forrest and mountainous terrain. Many sections of the journey required travelling by canoes down river, and on occasion required portage to negotiate mountainous terrain. There was also a small train journey of 100 kilometres, and Gordon on his own did a 125 km four day trip to the nearest town when they ran out of money. Through out their journey they met and stayed with many tribal indigenous groups, eating local food, and sleeping in communal longhouses.
Gordon had a lot of slides to show on the projector screen, spectacular views, hazardous canoe trips, and the many encounters with the local people, their survival on many occasions depending very much on these people.
Since the expedition in 1978 Borneo has changed spectacularly! 75% of forrest is gone, timber extraction and large areas growing palms for the palm oil industry. As Gordon stated, the environmental degradation is incredibly sad, the price we pay to live in the modern world.
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Probus Club Meeting Feb: 12th 2026
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Speaker: Graham Sangster on the topic of “Nature Viewed from Ellon 2019-2025.
Unfortunately the speaker scheduled to give his talk today had to postpone and our very own member Graham very kindly stepped in to take his place.
In the six years between 2019 and 2025 Graham took many a walk around the town of Ellon, keeping an eye out and viewing the many aspects that nature had to offer. His talk today accompanied by many photos on the projector screen was therefore his observations, and experiences during this period.
Armed with just his mobile phone camera, Graham took many a photo of some of the wild life surrounding the town. There were Roe Deer, Otter’s in the river Ythan including species of Duck’s and Swan’s. The best fisher on the river ie: the Heron was also there and the odd kingfisher also showed up. On one occasion Graham observed a Stoat moving from one place to another making several trips and carrying it’s young in it’s mouth.
Further to the actual wildlife, also on the screen were pictures of atmospheric phenomena the effect of light on the various views around the town. On another occasion a photo of an eclipse taken through a sheet of paper from his window, and also of the Aurora Borialis which can just about be seen occasionally above Ellon.
Many folk walking around the town of Ellon may have experienced such encounters with what nature has to offer but not recorded it. Thankfully Graham kept a record and we are much the wiser as a result.
A fascinating talk with members asking several questions at the end, and the Vote of Thanks was made by Peter Mackie to Graham on behalf of members present.
Graham (L/H) with a thank you from president Frank Reilly.
Roe Deer
Otter
Some examples of the kind of wildlife that Graham encountered around the town of Ellon during his many walks. (Pictures are representitive and taken from internet).
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Ducks and Ducklings
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Probus Club Meeting 22nd Jan: 2026.
Tribute to Robert Burns Morning
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Convener of Speakers Peter Mackie, and Master of ceremonies.
Peter opened the mornings tribute with a short talk on the life and times of Robert Burns. This was followed by a showing on the projector screen, storyman James Cosmo reciting the famous narrative poem Tam O’Shanter about a drunken farmer pursued by shrieking witches.
The two man Band. Alan Moir on left accompanied by Denis on Accordion.
The mornings musical entertainment commenced with some old Scottish favourite songs such as Scot’s Wha Hae, and Coming thru the rye, sung by Alan and accompanied by some of the diners, those who knew the words that is?
President Frank Reilly making a welcoming talk to members and guests.
The turn out at the mornings event was low probably due to the inclement weather conditions but members who did were made welcome by the president .
President Frank Reilly makes the first cut of the Haggis.
The president made the traditional address to the “Chieftain of the Pudding Race” The traditional Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties was then served up to members at the lunch washed down with Irn-Bru, or Coke whichever. It should be a wee dram, but driving home these days???.
Robert Burns, Scotland’S national poet.
Robert Burns was born in Alloway Ayrshire in 1759 and following his education partly at home, he worked as a farm labourer. With a budding talent for poetry he wrote his first poem at the age of fifteen, and went on to write many more in later years.
His first volume of poems known as the Kilmarnock Volume was published in 1786 and contained some of his famous work, Holy Willie’s Prayer, To a Mouse, and the Red Red Rose, to name but a few. His most famous however is “Auld Lang Syne” sung at every New Year’s Eve gathering through out the world.
Many regarded Burns as a bit of a philanderer with an eye for the ladies, and he fathered twelve children with four different women in his life time. He died in 1796 in Dumfries aged just 37 and is remembered today as one of Scotland’s most famous son’s.
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It’s that time of the year again folks, the Christmas lunch is here! 🍷😋🍺
Ellon Probus Club Lunch 4th Dec: 2025
Vice President Brian Jamieson opened proceeding by welcoming members, their partners, and other guest's to the lunch and apologised for the absence of president Frank Reilly who was ill with Flu. Brian then introduced our guest speakers Neil Cameron who is the Pastor at the Apex Church in Peterhead, and Doug Winchester, former solicitor of Ellon.
Having made a few relevant comments by Brian the lunch was then served up to the diners, and was followed by Brian inviting our guest speakers in turn to give their talk. This was followed by the customary raffle with many prizes won by one and all.
Members and guests having enjoyed a splendid lunch, a final thank you was made by Brian to all concerned in perticular to the guest speakers with best wishes for the season and the coming New Year.
As usual the lunch was well attended and held at the Ellon Golf Club. The catering staff at the club did a grand job with their buffet service and were thanked by Vice President Brian for their effort's in his closing statement.
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Neil Cameron commenced his talk with a joke and then went on to comment on his early life. Born in Edinburgh and of Nigerian heritage he was subsequently adopted and took on the Cameron name. Married for 42 years to his wife who hails from Northern Ireland and they have two sons.
Having completed schooling he joined up with a singing group and toured the USA with them. However life took on a different direction when he became a church minister and became the chaplain of the Apex Church in Peterhead. A keen footballer he was the chaplain of Peterhead football club for fourteen seasons.
Being a man of colour he experienced nothing but a wonderful fulfilling life of love and appreciation at Peterhead. Neil rounded up his talk with details of the work programs at the Church in perticular for the younger generation.
Neil Cameron, Vice President Brian Jamieson, and Doug Winchester at the Top Table.
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Both Neil Cameron, and Doug Winchester gave excellent entertaining talks full of factual detail and humour, and was much appreciated by all at the lunch. By popular consensus one of the best we have had in a long while.
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Doug Winchester was born in Edinburgh and he spoke at length about his school days, and then his move to Keith with his family much to his dismay. His father took up the post of Rector at a school there, but Doug soon developed a fondness for playing Rugby.
Following his school education he decided on a career as a solicitor, as he put it ,it’s one of those professions where win or lose you still get paid for the job. Following education at Aberdeen University, he founded Winchester’s legal practice in 1985 with two colleagues. Originally based in Aberdeen the practice moved to Ellon after ten years. This was as a branch of law firm Grant Smith but branched out as an independent practice in 1999. Throughout all of this he found the time to play Rugby for the Huntly club.
Married and with three children Doug eventually sold Winchester’s Solicitors to Raeburn Christie in 2015. He now works as an independent consultant on legal matters for the firm.
David Ellis wrote a book on his time in Northern Ireland titled “A Winter in Belfast” seen above with Vice President Brian Jamieson. The book is now available to purchase on Amazon.
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Ellon Probus Club Meeting held on 27th Nov: 2025.
Speaker David Ellis on his time served in the Army during a Winter in Belfast.
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David Ellis served as a lieutenant in 2 Para regiment of the British Army in Northern Ireland commencing his deployment on 26th November 1976, to March 16th the following year.
Operation Banner was launched by the Army in the early sixties to try and stem the conflict between Catholic’s and Protestant’s in the city of Belfast. This conflict also involved Republican IRA supporting Catholics, and Para-military groups supporting the Protestants. It raged on for thirty seven years becoming the longest operational deployment of the British Army in history. The conflict was finally brought to an end with the Good Friday Agreement in 1978.
With many pictures on the projector screen David first gave a brief history of the training programme he underwent before the deployment. This covered the main skills required such as Riot control, Vehicle checks, and first aid etc. Further to this was also a training programme in a mock up town at a training camp in Kent.
David explained the various weapons and army kit used in the deployment, and also ammunition used such as rubber bullets which he had brought along and was passed among members to inspect. There was also pictures of military vehicles used and the regiments accommodation which was an old Victorian Mill…five star it was not😁
A peace line was established between the Falls road and the Shankhill road to keep communities apart, and also involved eight man patrols in areas throughout Belfast. David experienced many incidents, some quite risky to himself which involved bomb’s and IED’s. Throughout the long conflict of thirty seven years the Para regiment’s lost a total of fifty two men killed with many more injured.
David’s talk clearly demonstrated that life as a soldier is not for the faint hearted, a point brought up by fellow member Alan Barker when he gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of members.
Probus Club Meeting held on 13th Nov: 2025
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Ken McDade (L/H) with president Frank Reilly.
Hank Williams
Dolly Parton
Loretta Lynn
Some of the famous singers of the Grand ole Opry throughout the years.
Charley Pride
Johnny Cash
Grand Ole Opry Speaker Ken McDade
The show that made Country Music famous.
Our speaker today was fellow member Ken McDade avid enthusiastic follower of the Country & Western music scene. Ken commenced his talk by giving a brief history of the Grand ole Opry. The show was founded in 1925 by a man named George Hay in Nashville Tennessee and was a half hour show first broadcast on radio as the “Barn Dance”. The show featured singers, and music in the country and western style and in 1927 was renamed “The Grand Ole Opry”. By 1932 and with the use of a more powerful transmitter in Nashville, a much wider audience was reached making it a hugely popular show.
Some types of this music were known as first Cowboy..Hillbilly, Blue Grass, Gospel…Blue, roots Jazz, then Honky Tonk…Western Swing, Rockabilly, and Red Dirt…Americana, Crossover, to name a few.
Ken then went on to tell us about some of the people who were influencers in this type of music at the very start such as George & Lilly Carter, Chet Atkins, Emmy Lou Harris, and others featured below.
Country and Western music is now enjoyed by millions worldwide and is constantly featuring new singers, and song writers entering the scene. Long may it continue.
In appreciation for this well presented and informative talk John Gatt gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of members to Ken.
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A new member joined the club today, seated is Doug Anderson with president Frank Reilly.
John Gill (L/H) with new president Frank Reilly
Two new members joined today. Bill & Angela Davidson with president John Gill (L/H). They are the very first married couple to join the club.
A gift for Jackie our caterer at club meetings for all the hard work she puts in supplying the Tea, Coffee, and all the nice eats.
Probus Club AGM held on 23rd Oct: 2025.
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Handover of Presidency from John Gill to Frank Reilly, and election of new Office Bearers, and committee members for year 2025/26.
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President John Gill opened the meeting with the normal procedures and matters arising from the last AGM. First was a statement by the Treasurer Ian Smith on the state of club finances, and was followed by the election of new Office Bearers, and Committee members.
John then moved on to summarise events that took place throughout the year accompanied by photos displayed on the projector screen. Office Bearers, and Committee members, current and stood down, were thanked individually for their efforts, and support through the year. One member in perticular our Convenor of Speakers Colin Grant received special mention having stood down after five years in the role.
Finally John made a short statement thanking one and all for their support during his tenure as president, and to great applause handed over the baton to incoming president Frank Reilly.
New man at the helm Frank then took the stage and informed members it was a privilege to take on the job, and he looked forward to the coming year. With his penchant for seeing the humourous side of things, the role of president will take on a new perspective for the membership at our regular meetings through the year😊.
There being no further business the meeting was closed by our new president Frank Reilly.
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Dr. Lauren Smith with president John Gill.
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A Great White shark fearsome predator of the sea.
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Probus Club Meeting held on 9th Oct: 2025.
Speaker today Dr. Lauren Smith on “Swimming with Sharks”.
Dr. Lauren Smith is a Marine Biologist with a PHD from Plymouth University. She developed a fascination with the sea and all life within it perticularly Sharks. In 2013 she made her first dive amongst Blue Sharks an experience which determined her future interest, and research into these marine animals.
Lauren’s talk centered first on a description of variety’s of shark species, Hammerhead, Great White, Whale Shark, to name but a few. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years and are found in every ocean on the planet. Most species have six senses primarily Electroreception…little pores along nose and body which detect electric impulses from their prey. Whale sharks are the largest species and measure up to 19 meters in length, feeding mainly on plankton. Hammerhead’s have 360 degree vision, and Tiger sharks are deep divers with great vision in low light. Sharks are apex predators and keep other fish populations in check.
There is however a threat to shark numbers mainly fished for their meat, fins, and liver oil. Surprisingly the largest numbers being taken are by Spain, and Portugal. It is estimated that anywhere between 63 to 273 million sharks are killed each year by humans. Conservation and good management practice is therefore urgently needed to avoid some species becoming extinct.
Dr. Smith is therefore dedicated to the preservation of shark species to maintain as she says the beauty, balance, and survival of these amazing creatures.
The Vote of Thanks was then given by Brian Jamison on behalf of members for Dr. Smith’s well presented and hugely interesting talk.
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Probus Club Meeting Held on 25th Sept: 2025
Speaker: Duncan Rennie on an “Adventure of a Lifetime”
Duncan Rennie (R/H) pictured with president John Gill.
His adventure started on the 24th January 2024 and went on to 16th February. Having arrived in Punta Arenas in Chilie he joined the ship MS Fram and sailed to South Georgia. The journey then progressed down to Antarctica , then the Falkland Islands, and back to Punta Arenas.
Duncan’s talk and presentation was a series of pictures shown on screen of this adventure. There were approximately 200 passenger on board and was mostly classed as a science and education ship.
The pictures were stunning! Duncan being an avid photographer he commenced his talk with pictures of Ernst Shackelton’s route across South Georgia and then the wildlife of the island. There were pictures of several species of Penguin, sea birds, and finally Humpback whales, and Orca’s which came right up to the ship.
The next phase of the journey was a visit to the worlds largest iceberg, A23A in Antarctica. Again there were amazing pictures of the various shapes and form of the iceberg.
Finally they visited the Falkland Islands which included a visit to Stanley the capital. The Falkland’s is the home of many species of Seal’s, Sea Lions, and bird species, and Duncan featured many pictures of these animal's during his talk.
Duncan described his trip as a breathtaking and astonishing adventure, one he will never ever forget.
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In appreciation for the amazing presentation, and pictures that Duncan produced, Stephen Scott gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of members for one of the best we have had in a long while.
Pictured on screen is the ship MS Fram off the coast of the island of South Georgia.
Strict controls and rules had to be maintained when stepping ashore on these islands because of an outbreak of bird flu, and also preventing any contaminants being carried ashore. All footwear and clothing were disinfected before and after stepping ashore.
Elephant Seal’s on a beach in the Falkland Islands.
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His Majesty King Charles’s Garden Party held on 1st July 2025 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.
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Ellon Probus Club fellow member and our Convenor of Speakers Colin Grant, accepted an invitation to attend His Majesty’s Garden Party together with his wife Joy at Holyrood Palace. The invitation was extended by the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire Sandy Manson, as representative of His Majesty King Charles in Aberdeenshire. Near seven thousand people attended the party on a fine summers day. 🍰☕️🧁.
Holyrood Palace is the King’s official residence in Scotland, situated at the end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It has been used as a Royal Residence since the 16th century, and is open to the public at various times of the year.
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Some of the attendees at the Garden Party, Colin Grant and wife Joy on the right, in the centre wearing the Kilt is Sandy Manson Lord Lieut: of Aberdeenshire.
His Majesty King Charles and Queen Camilla decending the steps at Holyrood Palace.
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Colin Grant and his wife Joy.
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Holyrood Palace.