Isles SNP MP Angus B MacNeil took part in a special debate in the House of Commons last week to mark the Queen’s 90^th birthday.

Supporting a cross party motion put forward for the occasion, Mr MacNeil gave a speech as he did ten years ago at a similar debate to mark the Queen’s 80^th birthday.

He said:  “One of the Queen’s great passions is the islands, particularly the Outer Hebrides. Looking back on my speech 10 years ago, I praised her good sense in her choice of holiday that year—sailing round the Hebrides—to mark her 80th birthday.

“She visited Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra and Vatersay, where she has come many times, mostly informally. Since then I have met the Queen and asked her about the trip, and I can report happily to the House that she found it to be a very splendid occasion indeed.”

He added: “In the intervening period many others have followed her example and visited the islands and have had a right royal time in other ways, I am sure. I encourage many others to follow the Queen’s example and I welcome those who come back for a revisit. I certainly hope Her Majesty has the chance to return to the islands that she has visited so often.

“I clearly remember seeing the royal yacht Britannia with its three masts from behind Vatersay as a youngster from my grandmother’s house in Castlebay. Clearly, the Queen’s enjoyment of the Hebrides is more than formal—it is very personal.

“People in the Gaelic-speaking Hebrides were very pleased when the Queen, in Ireland, spoke in Irish Gaelic, which was a great gesture on so many levels. Therefore, as I did in the debate 10 years ago, I will end in Scottish Gaelic, the language of Eden, and say, ‘Co latha breith sona dhan Bhanrighinn Ealasaid’.”