HRH The Princess Royal Visit Marks Anniversary of Lockerbie Air Disaster

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Lockerbie on Monday 25 March to mark the 35^th Anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster and to visit the recently refurbished Dryfesdale Lodge Visitor Centre.

Those receiving The Princess Royal at Dryfesdale Lodge included the Depute Convener and Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Gail Macgregor, and the Chief Executive, Dawn Roberts.

Accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, HRH The Princess Royal’s visit to Dryfesdale Lodge Visitor Centre and cemetery provided the opportunity to meet with Dryfesdale Lodge trustees who have been involved in the refurbishment of the facility and to speak with Tundergarth trustees, local residents and guests of their experiences of the air disaster – and their acts of remembrance since.

After having the opportunity to view the Pan Am 103 exhibition and displays at the lodge, HRH Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit and signed the visitors’ book. Her Royal Highness and the other guests made their way to the Garden of Remembrance and Memorial Wall where Ms Armstrong said a few words about the Lockerbie Air Disaster before inviting HRH to lay a wreath to commemorate the 35^th anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster.

As part of the days programme, Her Royal Highness also visited MacRebur Limited in Lockerbie to meet staff and learn about their innovative approaches that help address financial and environmental challenges facing the roads industry. She also officially opened Browns Food Group's new food processing facilities in Kelloholm in her capacity as President of the Scotch Chef's Club.

The Convener and Depute Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Malcolm Johnstone, and the council’s Director of Communities, Derek Crichton, were in attendance at the new processing facility.

Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “We are delighted to have hosted Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in our region this week.

We have a long and proud tradition with members of The Royal Family. In addition to paying her respects at the Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial, The Princess Royal also had the opportunity to experience two excellent examples of entrepreneurial businesses, and see what a varied and wonderful region we have.

It has been an honour for our region to give her a warm welcome and demonstrate the hospitality and community spirit that we are rightly proud of.”