News story: Mundell congratulates Scots recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

A number of Scots have been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen in her Birthday Honours list.

Congratulating them, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said:

In the centenary year of the Order of the British Empire, the Queen’s Birthday honours have recognised the achievements of a diverse and inspiring number of our fellow Scots. I congratulate each and every one of them

Billy Connolly’s knighthood celebrates a truly great Scot, the irrepressible ‘Big Yin’ who has entertained millions, but also his dedicated charity fundraising. He is an ambassador for both humour and humanity, and this recognition is richly deserved. Judy Murray’s OBE rewards her dedication and energy in inspiring future generations to play sport. Lorna Hood’s OBE recognises her exceptional and long service to the Church of Scotland, and promoting tolerance and understanding through the Remembering Srebrenica charity. Charles Skene’s CBE rewards his inspirational work supporting education and enterprise in north-east Scotland. Their awards are thoroughly deserved and I congratulate them all.

My congratulations, too, go to JK Rowling, someone who has made Scotland her home and who supports so many good causes here.

It is also fitting that Her Majesty has also recognised the many ‘unsung heroes’ of Scottish communities. The length and breadth of Scotland, an army of volunteers have shown unstinting dedication and selflessness, week in week out.

Glasgow University’s Professor Muscatelli received a knighthood, and Scottish Enterprise Chairman Robert Keiller a CBE. There are MBEs for Eunice Olumide (one of Scotland’s first black models), Mel Young (founder of the Homeless World Cup), and John Delaney (for services to the Teenage Cancer Trust). BME recipients include Paul James Breen for his work with the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Therapeutic Roof Garden, and Cara O’Donnell for her work with Glasgow-based charity SAMs.

Marking 100 years of the Order of the British Empire, the 2017 Honours List recognises 1,109 people, 74 per cent of who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity. That includes Helensburgh ‘lollipop lady’ Effie Walker, who received a British Empire Medal.