The Queen has formally opened the new session of the Scottish parliament - where she faced a boycott by leftwing MSPs.

Around 15 MSPs stayed away from the opening of the Holyrood parliament's opening session.

In a short speech the Queen said that devolution was pursuing a "distinctly Scottish" approach.

She praised MSPs for working "in partnership with the people".

And she commended the parliament for its effort to tackle "disengagement" through new technology and the petitioning.

The new parliament building, to be opened later this year, was "rooted in the land of Scotland, dramatically linking this country's future with its past", MSPs were told.

First minister Jack McConnell set out the challenges for the coming session: telling the Queen he was "very pleased to be with you today as we begin on that journey".

Labour MSPs had been warned that their attendance was essential following reports that several were planning to absent themselves.

But a cross-party group of nationalists, greens and socialists boycotted the session in protest at the Queen's presence.

Labour moved to quell a stay-away by its members: warning that the ceremony was a compulsory event.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith, who last month took the oath of allegiance under protest, put in an appearance despite her republican tendencies.

"It will not kill me to spend half an hour in the chamber, but I will not be going to the reception," she said.

"When I am told my attendance is essential, I suppose I had better attend. I have already made my protest."

Senior Scottish Labour figures were said to be extremely worried that a significant number of its MSPs were set to snub the Queen.

The mood of today's session was dramatically different to the pomp and celebration which surrounded the opening of the parliament four years ago.

The presence of a six-strong group of Scottish socialists in the parliament has threatened to enliven debate over coming months.

But the parliamentary authorities were set to welcome their absence, and therefore their silence, inside the Chamber.

Presiding officer George Reid said the proceedings, at the start of the parliament's second session, were an occasion of "quiet Scots dignity and dedication".

"Four years ago, Her Majesty gave parliament the gift of its mace. We are guided by the words engraved upon it - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity," he said.

"Four years ago, our first first minister, Donald Dewar, spoke eloquently of there being a new voice in the land.

"The ceremony will reflect both these aspirations, in a Scottish blend of the formal and informal, as we start on the work of our second session."