Solheim Cup-winning captain leads Scots on New Year Honours List

Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew has been made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

The 50-year-old, who led Team Europe to victory over the United States at Gleneagles in September, has been recognised for services to golf, 10 years after becoming an MBE.

She said: "Obviously for myself and my family it's a huge honour but for women's golf and the team in general it's a great recognition for what happened at Gleneagles," she said.

"These are huge bonuses that happen from doing well. The Solheim Cup win was huge for women's golf, it got some of the biggest viewing figures.

"Europe were due a win, we had lost the last two, so for the Solehim Cup as well it was great for the event."

The sportswoman was honoured alongside former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan, who becomes a CBE for services to the financial sector.

The New Zealander announced in April that he was stepping down from the role - which he took on in 2013.

When he took the helm, the bank was more than 80% owned by the Government, but the taxpayer's stake has since reduced to 62.4%.

One of his challenges was to prepare the bank to be returned to private hands - a task still not complete, but with progress being made after RBS posted profits for the second consecutive year in February.

Others Scots to bag an OBE include actress Maureen Beattie, who stars with David Tennant in the upcoming TV drama Deadwater Fell.

Beattie - whose father is the popular Scottish actor and comedian Johnny Beattie - is recognised for services to the entertainment industry, having become the second female president of the Equity trade union last year.

Another sportswoman honoured, with an MBE, is Rose Reilly - the Scottish footballer who took Italy by storm in the 1970s and 80s.

Despite already turning out for the Scotland national team, she went on to be selected for Italy before captaining the side that won the Mundialito in 1984 - a competition seen as a predecessor of the Women's World Cup.

There are also OBEs for two people involved at the V&A Dundee.

Lesley Knox, the former chairwoman of the museum, receives the honour for services to culture and director Philip Long is recognised for services to heritage and culture.

Meanwhile Helen Holland is also made an OBE for services to survivors of childhood abuse, having co-founded the Wellbeing Scotland project In Care Abuse Survivors.

Former Labour politician Brian Wilson is made a CBE for services to business and charity in Scotland.

He served as a minister of state under Tony Blair and is currently the chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides and a non-executive director at Celtic Football Club.

The same honour goes to Joanna Baker, who was formerly managing director of the Edinburgh International Festival and chair of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

Professor Rowena Arshad, the head of Edinburgh University's Moray House School of Education and co-director of the Centre for Education and Racial equality, is made a CBE for services to education and equality.

Prof Arshad was a member of the first black women's group in Scotland and was the equal opportunities commissioner for Scotland from 2001 to 2007.

Ian Curle, who was chief executive of spirits company Edrington - which owns brands including Macallan, the Famous Grouse and Highland Park whiskies - is another being made a CBE.

He is being honoured for services to the Scotch whisky industry after stepping down from the drinks firm in March.

Scottish Makar, Professor Jackie Kay, also becomes a CBE.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The people of Scotland recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours have made exceptional contributions to communities the length and breadth of this country and beyond.

"Their service and dedication in fields ranging from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science has helped to promote Scotland all over the world and benefited people throughout society.

"It is also important to recognise the work of our emergency services to keep people and communities across Scotland safe and I congratulate those who have been awarded The Queen's Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals."

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack also said: "I am very proud to see so many Scots receive Honours this year.

"Congratulations to all those who have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their communities and to our country.

"Their dedication to their respective fields, from charity to business and sport to science, is an inspiration to all."

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