Princess Anne pays tribute to Lockerbie bombing victims

Princess Anne commemorated the victims of the Lockerbie terrorist attack as she laid a wreath at the town's memorial.

The Princess Royal visited Lockerbie's Garden of Remembrance where she met representatives from Police Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dryfesdale Lodge Trust, as well as the Deputy Lieutenant of Dumfries.

Two hundred and seventy people were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded in the sky over Lockerbie on the evening of 21 December 1988.

She also viewed the Pan Am 103 exhibition and artefacts at the site.

The Princess Royal also signed the Visitors' Book and laid a wreath to remember the men, women and children who were killed in the disaster.

She was welcomed to Lockerbie by Fiona Armstrong, Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries.

Fiona Armstrong gave the following speech to the assembled crowd and the Princess.

"Just over 35 years ago, a plane was blown out of the sky. It landed on this small but vibrant market town, taking the lives of all 259 people onboard and 11 on the ground," she said.

"Two hundred and seventy lives lost in what was Britain's worst terrorist attack.

"I was there on that night and I saw first-hand how this town rallied, how it coped and has continued to cope over the decades.

"You could never be more proud of a community.

"A disaster like this can never be forgotten, so much grief, such senseless losses.

"Two hundred and seventy innocent lives remembered here on this memorial.

"Each and every name will never be forgotten.

"Lockerbie's motto is forward and we move together in hope.

"Your Royal Highness, your brother, now the King, came here following the disaster. Your mother, the late Queen, your father, the Duke of Edinburgh, also came here some years after to pay their respects.

"And now we are honoured to have you here today as the Princess Royal.

"Could we also ask you, please, to lay a wreath of remembrance?"

Princess Anne lays a wreath to remember those lost in the Lockerbie air disaster.

MacRebur

The Princess Royal had earlier visited the MacRebur plastic company in the town where she learned more about the company's manufacturing and testing processes.

She met with investors and employees at the site before she was given a tour of the factory.

Princess Anne speaks with staff at MacRebur.

Browns Food Group

After concluding her visit to Lockerbie, she then opened new facilities at Browns Food Group in Kelloholm.

The Princess Royal heard about the importance of Scottish pork to the country's farming industry and was briefed on meat preparation and butchery.