A distinguished minister has been made an OBE for services to education, the arts and the Church of Scotland.
The Rev Professor David Fergusson, the principal of New College at Edinburgh University, was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
He was appointed principal of New College in 2008 and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the British Academy.
Professor Fergusson, 59, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Aberdeen in 2014 and worked there for 10 years said: “Naturally, I’m delighted to be honoured in the Queen’s Birthday List.
“My involvement in the wider sphere of university and church has been an important part of my work at New College over many years.
“I am greatly indebted to many colleagues who have offered their support and friendship along the way.”
Professor Fergusson, a renowned theologian and expert on religious history, was appointed one of the Queen’s personal chaplains last November.
The prestigious Chaplain-in-Ordinary role dates back to the 15th century and is today largely a ceremonial honour with chaplains taking part in formal state occasions and conducting services at significant national events.
The Very Rev Professor Iain Torrance, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, said: “This is a wonderful recognition of David’s many outstanding contributions to the Church and to Christian scholarship.
“David is a person who writes much admired theology for his professional colleagues but is also able to write with warmth and great lucidity for the person in the pew.
“If becoming Moderator is the most important institutional role to which a minister may be called, appointment as a Chaplain to The Queen is the greatest personal honour.
“In each case in which The Queen makes such an appointment it is an indication of her trust in the person she is honouring”.
Professor Fergusson is married to Margot and they have two sons, Mark and Calum, who are both in their twenties.
His ministry began more than 30 years ago.
Professor Fergusson was ordained at St Mungo’s in Cumbernauld where he served as associate minister while working as a part-time lecturer at Glasgow University.
Having held the chair of Systematic Theology in the University of Aberdeen from 1990, he returned to Edinburgh as Professor of Divinity in 2000.
Professor Fergusson has written and edited numerous journal articles and books, including: ‘Creation’ in 2014 and ‘Faith and Its Critics: A Conversation’ in 2009.
His lecture tours have taken him to Oxford and Princeton, Montreal and Hong Kong, to name just a few.
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