Princess Anne makes latest visit to Forth Valley hospice

Her Royal Highness visited the charity on Thursday, March 26, to mark their 'Celebrate 45' event, meet staff, volunteers, patients, and reflect on the organisations history of serving people in Forth Valley and beyond.

During her visit, Princess Anne also met pupils from St Francis Xavier’s Primary School and took a look at the hospice’s new community outreach van.

Princess Anne has visited the Hospice 41 times since her first visit in 1982 (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Princess Anne met with both staff and volunteers at the hospice during the visit (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Mags McCarthy, CEO of Strathcarron Hospice, said: "We are delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for this special visit to mark the 45th anniversary of Strathcarron Hospice.

"There has been a great buzz about the place as we eagerly anticipated her arrival and we are very grateful for the time she devotes to staff, volunteers, supporters, patients and families.

The Princess Royal met with local leaders on her visit, such as CEO of the Hospice Mags McCarthy (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Princess Anne met with numerous patients on the wards of the hospice (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

"The Princess Royal met individual patients in our Inpatient Unit in private and each patient will receive a photograph of their meeting with her.

"We know that these become cherished family mementos of a lovely day.

The Princess Royal praised the hospice for its 45 years of service (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Princess Anne met with numerous patients on the wards of the hospice (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

"We are grateful for the devotion Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has shown the Hospice over the years.

"It has been much appreciated."

Princess Anne visited the hospice on Thursday March 26 (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

During the visit, The Princess Royal met with staff and volunteers (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Strathcarron Hospice, the largest independent hospice in Scotland, provides specialist care for people living with life-limiting conditions.

The charity supports individuals across Forth Valley and Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire.

Many staff members and volunteers came to the hospices 'Celebrate 45' event (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Princess Anne visiting Strathcarron Hospice in Forth Valley (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

Over its 45 years of service, The Princess Royal has visited the hospice 41 times since her first visit in 1982.

During her latest visit, Princess Anne addressed long-serving staff and volunteers, praised their dedication, and presented commemorative gifts to some of the hospice’s founding members.

The Princess Royal presented some of the founding members of the Hospice with a commemorative gift, before being presented with one herself (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

During the visit The Princess Royal viewed a display of archive items and a timeline sharing the history of the hospice (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

The hospice is staffed by 243 employees and supported by hundreds of volunteers, who together contributed more than 100,000 volunteering hours in 2023–24.

Her Royal Highness also spoke with pupils from St. Francis Xavier’s Primary School during the visit (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

The Princess Royal met with local leaders on her visit, such as CEO of the Hospice Mags McCarthy (Image: NHS Forth Valley)

In 2024-25, Strathcarron provided care for 331 patients in their 24 patient bedded unit and also supported 1802 new patients at home including care from the charities Community Nurse Specialists, Hospice at Home, Live Your Life, Rehabilitation and Bereavement Teams.

The Princess Royal was presented with a commemorative gift by Ms McCarthy for her dedication of support to Strathcarron Hospice.