She was welcomed by Mrs Georgiana Osborne, Lord Lieutenant of Angus and introduced to Mrs Ruth Leslie Melville, Provost of Angus, Mr David Sawer, Chief Executive of Angus Council, Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore, Mr Tony Aston, chairman and Bridget Warr, chief executive of Guide Dogs.

The Princess took part in an extensive tour of the two storey building and witnessed at first hand the training techniques used both indoor, and outdoors.

She was introduced to guide dog mobility instructors Dawn Millar, Morag Russell and Dave Matthews by Mr Ian Flanigan, district team manager (East of Scotland) before moving indoors to meet with kennel staff.

The Princess then unveiled a plaque to declare the mult-million centre offically open.

She stated she was "very impressed" with the new centre and considered it a "great privilege" to be asked to open it.

"Good luck to you all for the future. I will come back," she pledged.
Prior to leaving the Princess signed a photograph before receiving a framed copy of a postcard designed by eight-year-old Langlands Primary School pupil Chloe Balfour.

Chloe won a competition entitled "What Forfar Means to You".

Her interpretation included the Angus Glens, the swimming pool and the Guide Dog Training School which caught the eye of Guide Dogs staff.

She was invited along to the official opening day with fellow pupils Kori Stewart, Eilidh Wilson, Brooke Laird, Kirsty Mackie and Lara Mertes.

Lara was on hand to present the Princess with a posy of flowers prior to her departure.

For a full story and photographs of the visit, see next week's Forfar Dispatch, on sale on Wednesday.