Former Scotland rugby captains among those recognised in King's New Year's honours list
Last updated 29th Dec 2023
A number of famous faces with links to our region are among those being recognised in the King's New Year's honours list.
Former Scotland rugby captain, Stuart Hogg, has been made an MBE for services to the sport.
The country's top try scorer - who hails from Hawick - made 100 appearances for the national side before retiring earlier this year, having played at two World Cups and British and Irish Lions tours.
Another national hero, Rob Wainwright, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his work with the charity set-up by former teammate Doddie Weir, to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.
He founded the annual exercise challenge Doddie Aid, which has raised more than £4 million for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright said being recognised is a "tremendous honour" and vowed to "complete Doddie's mission" of a world free of MND.
Edinburgh-based author Alexander McCall Smith (pictured above) - who came up with the idea for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, which is now the centre of a new visitor attraction in Galashiels - has been awarded a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity.
The 75-year-old - who is also a patron of several charities including The Eric Liddell Community, a care charity and community hub in Edinburgh - said he is "very touched".
Elsewhere, former Rangers and Scotland football 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.
Two MSPs have also been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Former Scotland cricketer Liz Smith, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife for the Scottish Conservatives, said being made a CBE for services to sport was "completely unexpected".
Her party colleague Pam Gosal - the first Indian Sikh MSP - is made an MBE for services to business and racial equality, and said it was the "honour of (her) lifetime".
Keith Armour, from Livingston, has once again been recognised for his charity work. The 46-year-old Forth Awards winner 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".
And Morag Deyes, former artistic director of Dance Base in Edinburgh, becomes an OBE for services to dance.
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Officials said 109 people in Scotland have been awarded honours.
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."
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