'A woman of steadfast faith'

The Queen and the Queen Mother attend Crathie church

Scotland's religious leaders have paid their respects to the Queen Mother.

The Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend Mario Conti, said the Queen Mother's death had shocked the city's Catholic community.

"On behalf of the Catholic people of Glasgow I wish to express my deepest condolences on the occasion of the death of Her Majesty the Queen Mother," he said.

"A woman of great dignity and charm, she was also a woman of steadfast faith.

Archbishop Conti: "Deepest condolences"

"It is fitting that she died as the church prepares to celebrate the great feast of the resurrection, when death itself is vanquished. She would have appreciated that.

"I recall meeting her several times, and being struck by her sweetness, simplicity, and humour which was combined with a very special dignity."

The Most Reverend Bruce Cameron, head of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said the Queen Mother would be fondly remembered north of the border.

He said: "The passing of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, is a significant moment in the life of the nation.

"Her Scottish upbringing made her much loved and respected by the people of Scotland.

'Scottish roots'

"Her family's strong links to the Episcopal Church leaves us with a particular sense of loss. For someone who had a deep and committed Christian faith, her death at Easter time has an added poignancy and symbolism."

The Right Reverend John Miller, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland said her death brought "sorrow to generations of Scots".

We loved her, and she loved Deeside

Rev. Robert Sloan
Crathie Parish Church

"For the country an irreplaceable symbol has gone, but for her family, a dear part of their own life.

"She was patron of many Scottish charities to which she wholeheartedly gave her support and had an honorary role in relation to units of the armed forces.

"She was a person faith, who was glad of the disciplines of prayer and public worship.

"Though she had that significance for the whole United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, I think we in Scotland sensed a special bond, for she was proud of her own Scottish roots."

'Not a ritual'

The Reverend Robert Sloan, minister of Crathie Parish Church where the Queen Mother worshipped when at Balmoral, paid his own tribute.

He said: "We loved her, and she loved Deeside. Being at church was a big part of her life, it was not a routine, it was not a ritual.

"Her faith was important to her and it took a lot to stop her from coming to church. We will all miss her."

There will be a service at Crathie Parish Church on Sunday at 1130 GMT.