PICTURES: Glorious celebration held on Cathedral Green in Dornoch to honour the Queen's 70 years on the throne

The Cathedral Green in Dornoch was thronged with revellers on a beautiful sunny afternoon on Saturday, writes Paddy Murray, chairman Dornoch Area Community Council.

The Platinum Jubilee street party, organised by the community council and sponsored by Springfield Properties, was a cross-generational event with something for everyone to enjoy.

There was a giant tea party with music, baking, dancing, games, raffle and competitions for all ages.

Local piper Willie Fraser played to summon everyone to the party, which was officially opened by Deputy Lieutenant Major General Patrick Marriott, who fired a cannon to signify the start of the event.

Community councillor Davie Macbeath put together an excellent band of local musicians, which kept everyone entertained with continuous traditional and modern music.

Jimmy McDonald pulled the whole event together with his normal humour and style, juggling as both musician and Master of Ceremonies.

All of Dornoch’s bakers had generously "Baked for Britain" and donated delicious home-made biscuits, scones and cakes.

This and Springfield’s sponsorship allowed all the generous donations from a myriad of kindly folk, as well as a generously supported raffle, to raise over £1,600 to sponsor students of Dornoch Academy to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which empowers young people to discover their infinite potential.

Competitions during the afternoon included children’s and adults’ fancy dress and best home-made crown; best floral golf bag organised by the Royal Dornoch Golf Club; and for the scholarly there was a Right Royal Quiz.

Historylinks Museum exhibited photos of local royal connections to Dornoch and art from the Young Curators Club. Local businesses decorated their windows and offered “specials”.

Finally, Dornoch Pipe Band gave a spectacular performance to round off a day of cross-community support for the Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation.

Special thanks go to Judi Sutherland, who spent weeks planning the event, to the Church of Scotland who made available the cathedral and the Cathedral Green, and to all the individuals who "Baked for Britain" to feed the hundreds who attended the occasion.

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