THE Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have been welcomed by workers at the Michelin Tyre Factory in Dundee.
They visited the plant, which has around 900 staff and is one of the largest private employers in the city, during a week of engagements in Scotland.
READ MORE: Scots honoured by Queen at Holyroodhouse investiture ceremony
Between 2000 and 2009 the factory was fighting for survival, but after a decision to close it was reversed the Michelin Group is now in the midst of a programme that will see investment of at least £100 million.
The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Michelin Training School and workshop to meet apprentices, before touring the BNS Auto Technology Centre and tyre warehouse, where the Queen officially opened the 20,000sq metre facility.
Shaun Robertson, 18, a Michelin apprentice from Dundee, said it was "nerve-wracking" meeting the Queen but he described it as a "great" experience overall.
The Queen, who wore a bright turquoise Stewart Parvin coat with a silk dress and matching hat by Angela Kelly, spoke with staff at each of the areas she visited.
Mark Jackson, 47, a Michelin deputy steward from Dundee, said: "It was great. It was good to see someone like the Queen visit Dundee. All the hard work we've done in Dundee, it's good to see someone like her come here.
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"I think we've known for about a week that she was coming so it has been an exciting time.
"It's not the first time I've met someone from the Royal Family. I met a few others when I was younger but it was the first time I've met the Queen."
Following the unveiling of a plaque in the new warehouse, the Duke of Edinburgh appeared to be in high spirits as he shared jokes with Michelin staff.
Rebecca Milne, a Michelin engineer from Dundee, said: "He was asking us about the different roles we all do and we're industrial engineers, but to explain that we said that we studied the machines and because the boys drive forklifts he decided that we were forklift psychiatrists, which was actually quite accurate."
Jim Oglvie, another Michelin staff member, said: "He asked about the uniforms we all wear and he asked if we left work with the uniform on, and I said yes I live in it, which he laughed at."
The Michelin Group is engaged in a number of local community initiatives in Dundee - mainly targeted at opportunities for young people.
It has adopted the local Braeview Academy secondary school, where 50 volunteers from the factory are supporting programmes of individual mentoring, paired reading and numeracy, employability and work experience.
Morgan Halliday, 17, head girl at Braeview, said: "It was a very good experience, I feel very lucky - not many people can say they have met the Queen.
"She was just asking what our partnership with Michelin was like and if it was beneficial."
READ MORE: Scots honoured by Queen at Holyroodhouse investiture ceremony
Speaking after the event, Michelin head of communications Phil Baldock said: "It was absolutely fantastic, what a privilege for the Queen to come, particularly in her 90th year and at the same time such an amazing year for Dundee, for the factory and for the whole team here.
"The hard work, effort and dedication they have shown and with the leadership of John Reid the factory manager they have been able to secure some amazing investment which will hopefully safeguard the future."
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