Queen opens sports facility at Gordonstoun

Pupils at one of Scotland's leading private schools yesterday welcomed the Queen for the official opening of a state-of-the-art sports centre.

• The Queen meets pupils at Gordonstoun School after opening a new state-of-the-art sports facility, named after former head of PE George Welsh Picture: Getty Images

The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh who returned to his alma mater at Gordonstoun School in Moray for the first time since 1995.

And amongst the guests of honour for the Royal visit was George Welsh, 87, the former head of the school's PE department after whom the new centre is named.

Mr Welsh, who led the school's PE department for 20 years before retiring in 1984, is credited with inspiring generations of Gordonstoun students with his enthusiasm for sports.

The Queen had been scheduled to open the new sports centre last September but was forced to call off the visit following an outbreak of swine flu at the school.

During their visit the Royal Party watched a series of sports demonstrations by pupils.