THE VALUABLE service provided for young people at The Shore venue in Dundee received royal recognition when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made it part of their official visit to the city.

Catering for 11 to 18-year-olds, The Shore has become a popular alternative to parks, street corners and nightclubs for the city’s youth.

The royal couple met young people, staff and volunteers at the live music venue before enjoying a private lunch ahead of the formal opening of the restored Baxter Park pavilion.

One of those at the lunch was 19-year-old Dundee girl Samantha Kay who had earlier had the privilege of singing for the Queen at The Shore.

The former Harris Academy pupil played her guitar and sang a total of eight songs, three of her own and five cover versions, in two 15-minute sets.

Samantha, who has just finished an acting course at The Space and will be studying music at the Graham Street Campus of Dundee College, said, “I was really excited and panicking today. I’ve been practising the guitar all day and now my fingers are sore.

“It’s been great though and I’m really happy to be able to say I’ve played in front of the Queen.”

Another Harris Academy pupil, Remi Scott-Flynn (17), a former Leng Medal winner also sang during the visit.

Amongst those the Queen spoke to during her visit was Ann Manzi of Barnardo Scotland about a new service which will be launched in Dundee in September.

“We spoke about how it will offer permanent employment to young people who are normally difficult to place in jobs,” she said.

Dundee’s Braeview Academy also had a display at The Shore that caught the Queen’s eye. Third year pupils Kenneth Duncan and Heather Brownlee alongside senior depute head teacher Graham Hutton explained about new practical courses being offered at the school.