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There was no chauffeur-driven limo for Ivo Svoboda of the Scottish Agricultural College when he visited Balmoral on business: instead he arrived on the council dustcart to investigate the contents of the bins.

Dr Svoboda is exploring the feasibility of a community composting plant for biodegradable rubbish in nearby Braemar. He reports that the castle's waste seems much the same as that for other householders in the area. But his 6am start did win him a wave from Princess Anne, out walking the dogs.

The SAC is now hopeful of a royal crest. "By appointment to HM the Queen, suppliers of household waste composting systems."