A number of figures in Helensburgh and Lomond have joined others in paying tribute to the Queen following her death at Balmoral on Thursday.

Helensburgh Central’s Councillor Graham Hardie said: “The sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen is the end of an era in British history.

“She was loved by the nation, her family and all those who knew her in the UK and around the world.

“She will be sorely missed for her leadership, kindness, wisdom and generosity and my deepest condolences go out to the Royal Family in this time of mourning.

Councillor Mark Irvine, who represents Lomond North, added: “The Queen was an extraordinary woman who served this country and its people with compassion and dedication.

“The nation is mourning the loss of our Queen and her family is mourning the loss of their mother.

“The life of Elizabeth II was truly remarkable and we should mourn her passing and celebrate her life in equal measure.

“We have been blessed to have had a monarch that was the very cornerstone of our society and her life will be remembered with great affection around the world.

“May she rest in peace. Long live the King.”

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Helensburgh Central, said: "“For someone most of us never we met, we all felt that we knew her and that is the loss we feel today.  

"To her last day, she exemplified duty, devotion and public service. A remarkable reign from a global icon."

His Helensburgh Central counterpart Councillor Ian MacQuire added: "Whether you are a monarchist or not, one cannot ignore the near 70 years of duty she carried out until her final days. Not many of us can say we were working until we were 96.

"Queen Elizabeth was respected throughout the world for her dignity and dedication to duty.

"Her love of Scotland and it’s people cannot be ignored and I think we should be proud of the way Scotland and it’s people were seen by the rest of the UK and indeed the world, in her final journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh and the dignified way this was conducted.

"The baton of responsibility now passes to King Charles III. These are extraordinary times with many difficulties ahead, but I’m sure he will do his duty to the full."

Councillor Math Campbell-Strugess also paid tribute on social media saying: "On behalf of my constituents in Helensburgh and Lomond South, I pay my respects to the Royal Family for the sad passing of HM Queen Elizabeth.

"My thoughts at this time are with her family who have lost their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Requiescat in pace.”

Rev Christine Murdoch, minister at the Church of Scotland’s Lochside Linkage, touched on the Queen’s faith and how she shared it with the nation.

She said: “Like many families, we had a date with the Queen on Christmas Day at 3pm, when she would come into our homes as she addressed the nations.

“The one I remember best is from 1992, when she spoke of a “sombre year” which she hoped to put behind her.

“Throughout all of her Christmas addresses, the Queen’s faith shone through and she shared with us how her faith brought her comfort when life was hard, not least when her beloved husband Philip died.

“Many people will be mourning the Queen’s death, not least her family, and it is my prayer that they and we may know the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.”

MSPs Jackie Baillie and Pam Gosal are among others to have paid tribute to the late monarch, as well as Provost of Argyll and Bute Council Maurice Corry.