Service of Reflection planned to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at The Kelpies
Mourners from all over the country are to converge at the Queen Elizabeth II Canal, in front of The Kelpies, for a service of reflection this Sunday 18th September 2022 at 7.30pm.
The event planned by Scottish Canals, in partnership with The Church of Scotland and Falkirk Council, will allow mourners to honour the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her State Funeral.
The service of reflection conducted by The Very Reverend Martin Fair, a former Moderator of The Church of Scotland, will take place in front of The Kelpies’ at the Queen Elizabeth II Canal’s pool of reflection.
Those present will observe 96 lanterns, one for each year of Her Majesty’s life, floating into the water followed by the laying of wreaths led by Catherine Topley, CEO of Scottish Canals.
Following the service carried out by The Very Reverend Martin Fair, mourners will collectively pay their respect to Her Majesty during the national minute silence at 8pm.
Concluding the service and silence a local lone piper, Euan Thomson, will play `A Salute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II` to the crowd as they disperse.
Attendees are asked to arrive for 7.40pm prior to the service of reflection beginning at 7.45pm. Visitors are asked to be mindful of their travel arrangements with larger than usual visitors to The Kelpies carparking will be limited and where possible attendees are asked to travel by public transport.
Notes to editors
Key Details
Location: The Kelpies, The Helix, Grangemouth, Falkirk FK2 7ZT
Date / Time: 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Background:
Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Scottish Canals in partnership with the Church of Scotland and Falkirk Council will hold a service of reflection in Her Majesty’s honour on the QEII Canal in front of The Kelpies.
Only five years ago, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, formally opened the QEII Canal. The pool of reflection in front of the iconic steel structures, The Kelpies, which held a particular place in the late queen’s heart, provides a singular setting for mourners to consider Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s life, times, and service to the nation.