The Queen opens university campus

The Queen visits Queen Margaret University Musselburgh campus

The Queen has officially opened a new multimillion-pound university campus in East Lothian.

Queen Margaret University campus in Musselburgh, East Lothian, also had its visitor book signed by the Queen.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Kwik-Fit tycoon Sir Tom Farmer, the university chancellor, welcomed the Queen to the campus.

The university's population of 5,000 staff and students have been based at the new campus since last September.

Principal and vice-chancellor professor Anthony Cohen said the entire university community had worked hard to create a new model campus for the 21st century which would reach out to "embrace wider society and the world".

The global reach of Queen Margaret University belies our size Professor Anthony Cohen Queen Margaret University

He added during a welcoming address: "We are therefore delighted by the presence of senior members of the Scottish Government, East Lothian Council and the community and by our esteemed international partners from India and Singapore.

"The global reach of Queen Margaret University belies our size.

"This small patch of East Lothian real estate impacts most significantly on Scotland and other countries around the world."

The Queen unveiled a plaque to formally mark the opening of the campus before being taken on a tour of the facilities.

She saw the learning resource centre, including a view of the new campus's development through exhibition stands.

The Queen was wearing a Karl Ludwig cerise multi-coloured print dress, with a pink coat and pink Philip Somerville hat.

The campus has been short-listed for architectural awards and includes academic facilities, a combined student union, sports and drama centre and 800 en-suite student rooms.