23 May 2002: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh go north for the first day of their 1,000-mile Scotland tour

The Queen began her Jubilee celebrations north of the border with a warm Glaswegian welcome as she attended a Service of Thanksgiving in Glasgow Cathedral, and met members of local community projects. 

The Queen's first engagement of the Scotland tour was a special service held in the city's twelfth-century cathedral. The Queen and Prince Philip were greeted in the square by hundreds of cheering people. Guests inside the cathedral comprised a thousand people representing every faith, including leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities, and members of the Buddhist and Russian Orthodox faiths. There were also dignitaries and politicians from all over Scotland.

In an ecumenical service, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev Dr. John Miller, gave thanks for the long reign of The Queen. He described her as a "beacon of stability, a unifying influence" in a world of change.

After the service there was time for a walkabout in George Square, the city's main public square. Around 2,000 people lined the streets. The Queen watched parades and bands representative of the Armed Services. In a huge marqueee The Queen met members of organisations representing children, charities, schools and industry.

At a stand organised by the Wing Hong Chinese Elderly Group, The Queen watched a demonstration of Chinese writing by Terry Ng, the group's chairman. The characters he painted meant "good luck, good fortune and long life". The Queen also met representatives from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association and staff from Erskine Hospital and Rehab Scotland. The Duke of Edinburgh meanwhile viewed the work of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

At the end of the visit The Queen and the crowds gathered in the square saw a fly-past of three Tornado F3 fighters from 43 Squadron, based at RAF Leuchars in Fife. 

The Queen and Prince Philip then travelled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Sovereign in Scotland. One of her first duties was to accept the ceremonial keys to the city from Lord Provost Eric Milligan. The Ceremony of the Keys is believed to date back to the 1500s with Mary, Queen of Scots. The keys represent those used to open the city gates at a time when it was protected by a wall.

Her Majesty emerged from the Palace of Holyroodhouse at 6pm, smiling despite the rain. She was presented to the service chiefs, before Major-General Robert Gordon, General Officer Commanding the Army's Second Division (Scotland and North of England), joined her as she inspected the guard of honour formed by the 1st Battalion The Highlanders. The ceremonial keys were then handed over.