The Queen officially opened a new multimillion-pound university campus today.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Kwik-Fit tycoon Sir Tom Farmer, the university chancellor, were among the dignitaries who welcomed the Queen to the Queen Margaret University campus in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

Principal and vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Cohen said the entire university community had worked hard to create a new model campus for the 21st century which would reach out to "embrace wider society and the world".

He added during a welcoming address: "We are therefore delighted by the presence of senior members of the Scottish Government, East Lothian Council and the community and by our esteemed international partners from India and Singapore.

"The global reach of Queen Margaret University belies our size.

"This small patch of East Lothian real estate impacts most significantly on Scotland and other countries around the world."

The Queen then unveiled a plaque to formally mark the opening of the campus before being taken on a tour of the facilities.

She saw the learning resource centre, including a view of the new campus's development through exhibition stands.

The Queen was wearing a Karl Ludwig cerise multi-coloured print dress, with a pink coat and pink Philip Somerville hat.

The university's population of around 5,000 staff and students have been based at the new campus since last September.

It has been short-listed for architectural awards and includes academic facilities, a combined student union, sports and drama centre as well as 800 en-suite student rooms.

The Queen was also shown round the speech clinic by Professor Bill Hardcastle who explained how their work in EPG (Electropalatography) therapy is helping 10-year-old Galina MacNeacail who has Down's Syndrome.

The Queen also saw youngster Matt MacDonald demonstrate the physiotherapy work in orthotic management for children with cerebral palsy which the university is carrying out in its motion analysis lab.

Children from the Muscle-In project then re-enacted a five-minute extract which involves singing and dancing from their recent production.

The Queen signed the visitors' book before leaving.

The commitment to sustainability at the campus has been lauded by its many visitors including the Scottish section of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, which recently held its annual conference there.