ALEX Salmond has revealed that gifts to the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee will include a £50,000 donation to Veterans Scotland.

Other gifts include a commemorative garden being created at Holyrood Palace and a free app highlighting some of the most significant events of her 60 years on the throne.

Mr Salmond, wearing a Jubilee tartan tie, announced the gifts as the Scottish Parliament staged a special debate to commemorate the anniversary.

He said the gift to the veterans' charity was "particularly to Her Majesty's liking".

He told a chamber, unusually bereft of catcalls and barracking, that the Queen had been a "particular friend of Scotland" and a "staunch ally" of the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish Parliament is grateful for her support over the last 13 years and the Scottish people are grateful for her service over the last 60 years."

Other politicians joined in the tributes, with the leaders of the other three main parties all wearing the Jubilee tartan.

LibDem leader Willie Rennie wore a tie while Labour's Johann Lamont and Conservative leader Ruth Davidson had tartan pashminas.

Ms Lamont said: "Sixty years in the one job is good going – I've been in this one for just six months, and some days I have to say it feels like 60 years.

"Her reign as monarch has won her the respect of the country and a special place, I believe, in the nation's affections."

Ms Davidson said she been "our representative in this world for 60 years and we could not have asked for one finer".

Mr Rennie added: "Even today, after 60 years, the Queen brings more to public life than people ever expect."

The one note of discord came from Green co-leader Patrick Harvie.

He endorsed the comments made about the Queen but added: "It is legitimate and some of us think necessary to debate how a head of state might be appointed in an independent country as well."

He tried to table an amendment, rejected by Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick, to Mr Salmond's effusive congratulations which said: "The other parties can doff their caps to royalty if they want.

"Greens are much more likely to break out bunting and cake for the low-paid public-sector workers and local activists who bring our communities together."

Meanwhile, Ms Marwick planted a tree at the landscaped area of the Parliament in honour of the Jubilee.

She said: "The Queen's personal affection for Scotland is well known and she has visited Parliament many times. I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament will be commemorating this momentous occasion."

Only two MSPs, Mr Harvie and his Green Party colleague Alison Johnstone, voted against Mr Salmond's congratulatory motion.

SNP MSP John Mason and Independent MSP Margo MacDonald abstained while 116 backed the motion. Eight MSPs were not in the chamber.