This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6988775.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Abbey funeral for landowner duke Abbey funeral for landowner duke
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral of the ninth Duke of Buccleuch has been held. Hundreds of mourners have paid their respects to one of Britain's biggest landowners in the dramatic setting of a ruined 12th Century abbey.
The duke, who was 83, died last week at his stately home at Bowhill, near Selkirk, after a short illness. The Duke of Buccleuch, who died a week ago at the age of 83, was remembered by more than 2,500 people under open skies at Melrose Abbey in the Borders.
The service took place in the grounds of Melrose Abbey, where the duke's father is also buried. His eldest son, Richard, addressed mourners. The former Tory MP was laid to rest alongside his father.
A memorial service celebrating the life of the duke, who was a former Tory MP, will be held in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh at a later date.
The duke, who used a wheelchair after a riding accident in the early 70s, was one of Britain's biggest landowners. The Duchess of Buccleuch, preceded the coffin into the abbey, followed by the Royal Company of Archers, of which the duke was a member.
He encouraged open access to the countryside long before it became a legal right. They were followed by his eldest son Richard, who will become the 10th Duke of Buccleuch, and he was flanked by two more of the duke's sons.
He was at the centre of media attention in 2003 when his £30m painting, Madonna with the Yarnwinder, by Leonardo Da Vinci, was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle. Among the mourners were Lord Steel, the former Liberal Democrat leader, former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, Conservative MP David Mundell and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The Duchess of Buccleuch preceded the coffin into the abbey
Lord Steel had earlier been one of the first to pay tribute to the duke on learning of his death.
"His was a long and distinguished public life of which his wife Jane and his four children must be immensely proud," he said.
Hundreds of people who had worked on the duke's estates and been involved with his charitable work also attended the funeral.
The duke, who used a wheelchair after a riding accident in the early 70s, died at his stately home at Bowhill, near Selkirk, after a short illness.
He was one of Britain's biggest landowners, with more than 270,00 acres, mostly in the Borders.
The Buccleuch estates are estimated to be worth £71m.
The duke was at the centre of media attention in 2003 when his £30m painting, Madonna with the Yarnwinder, by Leonardo Da Vinci, was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle.
The 500-year-old artwork had been in the Buccleuch family for almost 200 years. It has never been recovered.The 500-year-old artwork had been in the Buccleuch family for almost 200 years. It has never been recovered.