Dedication of more than 100 Scots has been recognised
More than 100 Scots have been awarded new year honours, many for services to charity.
In total, the Cabinet Office said that of the 1,227 people to receive an award, 811 went to people who had “undertaken outstanding work in their communities” either in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Of the highest profile recipients, former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, rugby star Rob Wainwright and writer Alexander McCall Smith all received awards for services to charity.
McLeish, a former footballer who has twice led the men's national team, becomes an OBE, while best-selling author McCall Smith has been knighted.
Wainwright becomes an OBE while sports broadcaster Hazel Irvine also becomes an MBE.
He said he was "hugely honoured and humbled" to be appointed an OBE for services to charity.
He is involved with organisations including Crohn's and Colitis UK and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.
McCall Smith, the creator of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series as well as the 44 Scotland Street novels, has been given a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity.
The emeritus professor of medical law at the University of Edinburgh is a patron of several charities, including the Eric Liddell Community, a care charity and community hub in Edinburgh.
Rob Wainwright becomes an OBE for voluntary and charitable services to the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was founded in 2017 by his friend Doddie Weir.
Wainwright has raised more than £4m for the foundation through founding Doddie Aid.
He said being recognised was a "tremendous honour" and vowed to "complete Doddie's mission" of a world free of MND.
In the wider sector, OBEs went to Cathy Magee, chief executive of Dyslexia Scotland, Sally Loudon, former chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities – a registered charity - and Alex Reedijk, director of the Scottish Opera.
Dr Dipankar Datta, chair, South Asia Voluntary Enterprise also got an OBE as did Dr Claire Armstrong, the chief executive Officer of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
An MBE went to chief commissioner Susan Walker of Girlguiding Scotland for services to young people.
Fundraiser Keith Morton Armour received the British Empire Medal for his work with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Armour, 46, from Livingston, West Lothian, donated gifts at a children's hospice dressed in full Star Wars costume.
He then set up the Capital Sci-Fi Con and has since raised around £360,000 for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
He said being awarded a British Empire Medal was "just unbelievable".
Sharon Kelly, project manager, Royston Youth Action also received an MBE for her work with her charity.
The same honour went to volunteer Elizabeth Kinnear for her work with the Guide Dogs Perth and District branch.
First minister Humza Yousaf said: “Those recognised in the New Year’s Honours list have made exceptional contributions to communities across Scotland and beyond. These Honours are particularly important in light of the ‘giving’ theme and it is clear that all of the worthy recipients have given so much.
“The service and dedication of these individuals – from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science – has benefited people across communities and promoted Scotland around the world.”
Elsewhere in the UK, Felicity Dahl, wife of the late author Roald Dahl and founder of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, was awarded a damehood for services to philanthropy, literature and young people.
René Olivieri, who became chair of the National Trust in February 2022, was recognised with a CBE for services to the charitable sector.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chair of Refuge and co-founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, was also recognised with a CBE award for her services to people affected by domestic abuse and homicide.
She said she was “deeply moved and overwhelmed” by the news, adding: “This honour is testament to those many individuals who dedicate themselves to this cause, survivors of domestic abuse who bravely tell their story, and the family and friends who support them.”
There were also CBEs for Richard Deverell, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Andrew Scattergood, chief executive of The Royal Parks, Cath Dovey, co-founder of The Beacon Collaborative and chair of the Rosa Fund, and Vivian Waterfield, deputy chief executive of family support network Home-Start UK.
OBEs included Kate Lee, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, who said: “This award is a lovely way to mark the success of all the incredible organisations I've worked with across a diverse and vibrant charity sector."
Game of Thrones actor Emilia Clarke, who had two brain haemorrhages in her 20s, was appointed MBE along with her mother, Jenny, for their work in co-founding the brain injury charity SameYou.
