Edinburgh The judge who led the inquiries into the Piper Alpha and Dunblane tragedies received the highest public honour in Scotland from the Queen.

Lord Cullen, right, who has retired, was installed as a Knight of the Thistle in a ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Joining him was Sir Garth Morrison, Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, a former chairman of East Lothian NHS Trust and a former Chief Scout of the UK.

The colourful ceremony began with a fanfare by Her Majesty's Household Trumpeters in Scotland to mark the arrival of the Royal guests. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal joined a procession through the cathedral to the Thistle Chapel - a small chapel founded in 1911 for such ceremonies. Guests at the ceremony included Lord Robertson of Port Ellen and Lord Steel of Aikwood.

The Queen spoke briefly before bestowing the honours on Lord Cullen and Sir Garth, who pledged to be loyal and true to the Queen.

The Order of the Thistle is second only in precedence in Britain to the Order of the Garter. It honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or contributed to public life.

The date of the order's foundation is not known, although it was revived by Queen Anne in 1703.

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