In this year’s New Year Honours, painter and printmaker, Barbara Rae, CBE, RA, receives a damehood, and others involved in the fields of sport, education and public service in Edinburgh are also honoured.
Ms Rae’s flamboyant art is included in private and public collections all over the world, and her career began in Edinburgh when she studied at Edinburgh College of Art.
David Dempster the former headteacher at Boroughmuir, receives an MBE.
Elsewhere in the country well-known broadcaster, Jackie Bird, receives an MBE. The full list of those with connections to Edinburgh is below.
The First Minister, John Swinney, said that these honours celebrate recipients who give back to the community. Ken McCallum the Director General of MI5 has received a knighthood. Retired Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ross Haggart, KFSM, receives the CBE for services to fire and rescue and charities.
The First Minister said: “The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognises exceptional individuals – from unsung heroes to well-known names. Each recipient is worthy of their award and has made a significant difference to their community or excelled in their field.
“My congratulations to our emergency services members awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Throughout Scotland people benefit from the skills and expertise of our ‘blue light’ services personnel whose skills and expertise keep our communities and people safe, in often challenging circumstances.
“These honours celebrate the best of Scotland’s courageous spirit and sense of community. Congratulations and my personal thanks to every worthy recipient.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “I congratulate all Scots the length and breadth of the country who have been honoured by His Majesty the King in his New Year Honours list.
“The Glasgow-born head of MI5, Ken McCallum, receives a Knighthood for his professionalism and dedication in keeping the country safe in such difficult times. We all thank him for this.
“Scotland’s vibrant arts and media scene is celebrated with a Damehood for painter and printmaker Barbara Rae, and a MBE for broadcasting stalwart and national treasure Jackie Bird.
“Football heroes David Moyes and Alan Hansen are rewarded for their contributions to the sport. Duncan Scott, Britain’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, is recognised, as are Paralympic athletes swimmer Stephen Clegg and archer Nathan MacQueen.
“Many of the unsung heroes in our communities are on the list, including those working to tackle poverty and disadvantage. There are far too many to mention everyone by name, but I want to single out the amazing work of Sascha Macleod at the BIG Project in Edinburgh, and Natasha Gilmour of the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland.
“To all of the Scottish Honours recipients I say – congratulations, and thank you for all that you do.”
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I’m delighted that this year’s Honour List recognises the outstanding work of so many people from our city, with a great variety of important contributions being celebrated.
“On behalf of the people of Edinburgh I’d like to thank and congratulate all those receiving honours and wish them all the best for the year ahead.”
Edinburgh honours
DAMEHOOD Barbara Davis Rae, CBE, Artist, Colourist and Master Printmaker. For services to Art
CBE
Michelle Macleod For services to Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement in Scotland
Professor Alexander McMahon Lately Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland. For services to Nursing in Scotland
Professor Richard Williams Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Heriot-Watt University. For services to Education, to Engineering and to Entrepreneurship
OBE
Jack Blaik Independent Living Fund Professional Advisor, Scottish Government. For services to People with Disabilities
Calum Campbell Lately Chief Executive NHS Lothian. For services to healthcare in Scotland.
John William Kennedy Scouts Scotland Treasurer and Volunteer. For services to Scouting and to Young People
Gordon McNicoll For Public Service in Scotland
Louise Smith Chair, Innovate Finance. For services to the Fintech Industry and to the Empowerment of the LGBTQIA+ Community
Professor Susan Welburn Professor of Medical and Veterinary Molecular Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh. For services to One Health Research and to Disease Elimination
MBE
Claire Louise Biggar
Inclusion and Wellbeing Consultant and Military Public Engagement Lead, Edinburgh Napier University. For services to Education
Joel Castellvi-Kellhofer Entrepreneur, Advocate and Innovator. For services to the Deaf Community
Stephen Clegg For services to Swimming
David Charles Dempster Lately Head Teacher, Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh. For services to Education in Scotland
Michael David Harris Organist and Master of the Music, St Giles? Cathedral, Edinburgh. For services to Music
Professor Gerard Samuel Saddler Head of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland. For services to Scottish Plant Health and to Biosecurity
Ian Stevenson Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cyacomb. For services to Online Safety Technology
Professor Melissa Terras Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. For services to Digital Humanities
British Empire Medal
Alexandra Macleod Founder, The BIG Project. For services to community in Broomhouse, Edinburgh
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
