THE Queen will this week visit Peeblesshire for the first time in 25 years, it has been confirmed.

She will be given a tour of the new John Buchan Museum in Peebles on Wednesday, July 3.

It has been chosen to showcase the life and times of Lord Tweedsmuir, one of Scotland's literary sons.

Her Majesty will meet members of the Buchan family before touring the High Street museum, which is housed in the town's Chambers Institution, to view exhibits and meet staff.

Ian Buckingham, the Chairman of the Museum Committee, this week told the Peeblesshire News: "We are honoured and delighted to host this special visit and look forward to showing Her Majesty a variety of pieces and artefacts from the Museum's collection and explaining the Buchan heritage in Tweeddale.

"This will include a display of photographs from the royal visit in 1947, when Anna Buchan was presented to HM King George VI.

"It is a great opportunity for our volunteers and others associated with the Museum to take part in this historic occasion." The Queen, who is not expected to be accompanied by Prince Philip, is also due to meet representatives of the local community and view the War Memorial before continuing to the Council Hall and Council Chambers where she will meet John Buchan Trustees, donors to the Museum, representatives of the Chambers Institution Trust and local officials before signing the Visitors' Book.

And she is expected to be given a Royal send off in the High Street before moving on to Abbotsford House, near Galashiels, to officially reopen the tourist attraction following a multi-million pound renovation.

Mr Buckingham added: "There is great excitement in the town."