Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II holds a very special place in the hearts of many Erskine Veterans.

As we continue to mourn the passing of our Queen we look back to earlier this year when the country gathered to commemorate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. 

At Erskine we too, offered our congratulations on her impressive 70-year reign and we also took the time to remember a wonderful occasion in 1967 when we were honoured by a very special royal visit.

Throughout Erskine’s first 50 years, there had been several royal visitors to Erskine but until September 1967 the hospital had never been visited by a reigning monarch.

This all changed on Wednesday, September 20th 1967 when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Glasgow Airport shortly before midday. The Royal couple were en route to the shipyards of John Brown and Company in Clydebank to christen the new ship The Queen Elizabeth II when they stopped at the gates of the Erskine Hospital. Our Chairman, General Sir Gordon MacMillan was there to welcome them and to present 12 Veterans and staff to the Queen. The Royal couple spent time speaking to the Veterans and staff before continuing their journey. It was a moment in Erskine’s history that has never been forgotten.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, Erskine planted a Jubilee tree at each of our four homes.

There are no Veterans, or anyone living or working at Erskine, who have not been touched by Her Majesty’s influence in some way - either as the highest example of loyal commitment and leadership, or as a deeply interested, humorous and compassionate visitor as we know from her visit to Erskine.