The Queen's apparent preference for using sticky notes has been recognised during a visit to an Edinburgh silversmiths and jewellery house.

She was presented with a wood and sterling silver holder for the square pads of paper when she rounded off her visit to Hamilton and Inches - and described the gift as "very useful".

Chief executive Stephen Paterson told her: "A little birdie told us that this may come in quite handy. It's a Post-it note holder for your desk."

The Queen said: "Oh, that's very kind. (It's) very useful."

The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied her on the visit, noted that it was for "those sticky things".

The Queen was also presented with a silver bowl inspired by the River Tay for her 90th birthday, while Philip received a kilt pin.

The presentation of the gifts came at the end of a trip around the firm's showroom and workshops on George Street.

The royal couple spoke to a number of crafts men and women during the visit, which marked the 150th anniversary of the business, which is a royal warrant holder.

They also met Andy Scott, the artist behind the Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk.

The Queen dressed for the occasion in a Karl Ludwig outfit - a vibrant royal blue wool crepe coat and a dress in flower-printed Jacquard silk. Her matching hat was by Angela Kelly.

The Duke was on jovial form as he toured the establishment.

As he was shown some silver maces, he jokingly asked if they were "in for repair," to which Mr Paterson replied: "They're only here for you."

When shown another silver artefact, Philip quipped that it could be a "massive quaich", a Scottish drinking cup.

He also showed an interest in a dress ring worn by Debbie McKernan, the firm's head of jewellery, and took her hand to have a closer look.

She later explained: "I said, 'You have a good eye, this is a ring that we're looking to launch this year'."

Mr Paterson later said it was a "huge honour" to have a visit from the Queen on the firm's 150th year.

The Queen later visited Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian, where she unveiled a sculpture to mark the 200th anniversary of racing at the site.

She had two horses running in separate races, but neither made it across the finish line first.

Elementary and Forecaster came third in their respective races, the Silver Arrow and the Bicentenary Cup.

Both were ridden by jockey Donnacha O'Brien, who was wearing the Queen's purple and gold colours and later met the monarch.

Members of the public at the packed event looked on as the Queen and Duke appeared at the Queen's Stand.

But they were unable to see her reaction to the results as she chose instead to watch the races from indoors.

The Queen's broadest smiles were, however, saved for the smallest horses in the arena.

She met up again with beloved Shetland ponies Cruachan IV - the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland - and his retired predecessor Lance Corporal Cruachan III, now aged 28.

Pony Major Mark Wilkinson said of the current Army mascot: "He welcomes Her Majesty to Balmoral every year for her summer holiday, and any other time that Her Majesty is in Scotland she likes to see him."