Procession down the Royal Mile marks 125th anniversary
Over the years, QMU has held some truly spectacular events to mark key times in its history. In September 2000, Queen Margaret University College, as it was known then, held an impressive procession on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to mark its 125th anniversary. The procession was followed by a ceremony in St Giles Cathedral.
The event began with a small service for senior staff and VIP guests in Edinburgh Castle’s historic St Margaret’s Chapel. Students, staff and guests gathered in the Castle esplanade and were then led by the Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band in a formal procession down the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral.
Here, a celebratory service reflected on the institution’s achievements over the years, and its roots in the values of Saint Margaret herself. The actor Russell Hunter (1925-2004) - who was well known across Scotland for his appearances on Scottish television, stage and film – injected a real sense of drama to the occasion as he spoke from the pulpit of the cathedral. Following the main service, the Lord Provost hosted a civic reception in The Hub on Castlehill.
During the service in St Giles Cathedral, the institution paid tribute to its then patron, the Countess of Elgin and Kincardine, by awarding her an honorary degree of Doctor of the University College. This was the first degree of its type awarded by the institution. The Countess of Elgin had been a distinguished ‘Pro Patron’ since 1993, and had conferred degrees on thousands of QM graduands.
