In pictures: The Princess Royal makes her 41st visit to Strathcarron Hospice

Her arrival at the Randolph Hill building on Thursday was the 41st time the royal guest has been greeted at the hospice – and staff say they never cease to be amazed how she can remember so many details about all those she meets.

This year’s visit was all the more special as it marked the 45th anniversary of the hospice opening and as well as completing her usual tour of the wards to meet patients, their families and staff, The Princess Royal also viewed a display of archive items and a timeline sharing the history of the building.

Princess Anne was met by an arrival party of hospice chief executive officer Mags McCarthy; Deputy Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Sir Iain McMillan; Baillie William Buchanan representing Falkirk’s Provost; Gail Woodcock, representing the chief executive of Falkirk Council; and Chief Superintendent Roddy Irvine, Forth Valley police commander.

Her visit was also a very special day for a group of pupils and teachers from St Francis Xavier’s Primary School in Falkirk. Headteacher Mark Murray and teacher Helen Quinn brought along eight pupils, including Anna McBride and her mother Sarah. Anna designed the hospice’s new community outreach van. The staff and pupils had an opportunity to chat with the royal visitor.

HRH then made a speech to long serving staff and volunteers, praising the incredible service the hospice has delivered for the communities it serves over the last 45 years, before presenting several founding members of the hospice with a commemorative gift.

She then received a gift from Mags McCarthy for her dedication and support to Strathcarron over the years.

Among those the royal visitor met was April McKinney, complementary therapy lead and the longest current serving member of staff, and Alison Moodie, community clinical nurse specialist who is retiring from the hospice this year.

Speaking after the royal visitor had departed, the hospice CEO said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for this special visit to mark the 45th anniversary of Strathcarron Hospice.

“There has been a great buzz about the place as we eagerly anticipated her arrival and we are very grateful for the time she devotes to staff, volunteers, supporters, patients and families.

“The Princess Royal met individual patients in our inpatient unit in private and each patient will receive a photograph of their meeting with her. We know that these become cherished family mementos of a lovely day.

“We are grateful for the devotion Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has shown the hospice over the years. It has been much appreciated.”

The largest independent hospice in Scotland, Strathcarron provides essential services for patients with life-limiting conditions, including end-of-life care, for those living in Forth Valley and Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire.

The dedicated careCare and services right across communities and within the 24-bedded ward in the hospice are provided by 243 staff with support from hundreds of volunteers who contributed over 100,000 hours of volunteering in 2023-24.

The most recent figures show that in 2024-25 the hospice provided care for 331 inpatients and also supported 1802 new patients at home, including care from our community nurse specialists, Hospice at Home, Live Your Life, rehabilitation and bereavement teams.