A SCOTTISH university principal has become only the 28th person this century to be appointed to the most senior rank of the Order of the British Empire.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, of the University of Strathclyde, has been appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours list, for services to engineering, education and energy.
It is the most senior rank of the Order of the British Empire, with fewer than 115 appointed in the last 60 years.
McDonald said: “It is a huge privilege to be principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde and to hold the presidency of the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the UK’s national academies.
“The discipline of engineering – particularly in the field of energy – and the institution of Strathclyde are both very close to my heart and to receive such recognition for my work in these areas is incredibly humbling.”
Elsewhere in the New Year Honours list, bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith has been knighted.
The creator of The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, as well as the 44 Scotland Street novels, has been given the honour for services to literature, academia and charity.
McCall Smith (below) was born in what was then known as Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and made Edinburgh his home after studying there.
He published his first book in 1980 and rose to fame in 1998 with The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
He said: “This is very kind of them and I feel most honoured. Writing the books has given me great pleasure over the years and if they have been appreciated, then I am delighted.”
Sports stars are among the other famous names in Scotland to be recognised in the New Year Honours.
Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish said he was “hugely honoured and humbled” to be made 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 Glasgow.
Former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright has been made an OBE for voluntary and charitable services to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was founded in 2017 by his friend Doddie Weir.
Scotland rugby legend Weir died in November 2022 aged 52 after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease.
Wainwright (below) has raised more than £4 million for the foundation through founding Doddie Aid.
Another former Scotland rugby captain, Stuart Hogg, was made an MBE for services to the sport.
Scotland’s top try scorer made 100 appearances for the national side before retiring earlier this year, having played at two World Cups and British and Irish Lions tours.
There was also royal recognition for those in the arts world, with Alex Reedijk, general director of Scottish Opera, becoming an OBE for services to the performing arts in Scotland.
Other people from the arts recognised include Two Doors Down actor Arabella Weir, who was given an MBE, and Morag Deyes, former artistic director of Dance Base in Edinburgh, who became an OBE for services to dance.
Blair Parham, director of music and principal conductor of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, becomes an MBE for services to Scottish music.
Two Tory MSPs have also been recognised in the New Year Honours list – Liz Smith and Pam Gosal.
Kenneth Thomson, until recently a director general at the Scottish Government, is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for public service.
Officials said 109 people in Scotland have been awarded honours.
Among those recognised for their charity work is Keith Armour, 46, from Livingston, West Lothian, who, following a fundraising drive, donated gifts at a children’s hospice dressed in Star Wars costumes along with volunteers.
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 is “just unbelievable”.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Those recognised in the New Year 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.”
