New Year Honours: Singer Annie Lennox awarded OBE for charity efforts

Published on Thursday 30 December 2010 15:06

Singer Annie Lennox says she is "genuinely delighted" to receive an OBE in the New Year Honours list released today.

The Aberdeen-born star leads the list of Scots being recognised this year for her work with the charity Oxfam.

Other high-profile Scots to be honoured include the singer Dougie MacLean, artist John Lowrie Morrison and wheelchair user MP Anne Begg, who was made a Dame for her services to disabled people and equal opportunities.

Lennox, 56, who found fame with the Eurythmics before going on to have a successful solo career, joked she would be "getting her fake leopard pillbox hat" ready to collect the honour.

The musician, whose hits include There Must Be An Angel and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), founded the SING campaign to raise awareness of Aids in Africa.

"I'm genuinely honoured to be part of the New Year's Honours list for 2010," she said.

"As somewhat of a renegade, it either means I've done something terribly right - or they've done something terribly wrong.

"In any case, whatever powers that be have deemed me worthy of such a recognition, I'm getting my fake leopard pillbox hat dusted and ready."

She was joined on the list by fellow singer MacLean who was also awarded and an OBE.

More: New year honours

• Stars of stage, screens - big and small - and music are honoured

• Work of heroes in communities is recognised

• Sporting stars pick up yet more awards for skills

The Perthshire-based Scot, whose career spans more than 30 years, is best known for the success of the song Caledonia which was used as theme for last year's Homecoming celebrations.

"It's a great thrill to be given an honour like this - I'm gobsmacked," he said.

"This is my 36th year as a professional musician, so its a lovely honour to have your work recognised in this way.

"I'm enjoying it as much now as I've ever enjoyed it and people are still discovering the 20 albums of songs I've written."

The award follows the release of the singer's latest album Resolution last month.

"All the songs sit with me on the same kind of level as Caledonia, but Caledonia seems to have become part of common culture which is fascinating to watch with one of these little things that you've written," he added,

A north-east GP is the only Scot on the list this year to receive a knighthood.

Professor Lewis Ritchie, 56, is currently James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice at the University of Aberdeen, as well as a serving GP at Peterhead Health Centre and Community Hospital.He said: "I feel very humbled to be recognised by this honour.

"It has been a great privilege to serve NHS Scotland in a number of capacities and to assist the development of healthcare services and better ways of caring for patients and preventing illness.

"I am particularly mindful at this festive time, of the magnificent commitment of all frontline healthcare workers and support staff."

The Fraserburgh-born professor is also an honorary consultant in public health.

Another of those to receive an OBE is Dr George Crooks, clinical director of the medical advice service NHS24.

Dr Crooks, who was a GP in Aberdeen for 22 years, was also appointed as interim medical director for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

He said: "I believe that this award doesn't just reflect on my own contribution to the success of NHS 24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service. This award is a tribute to the hard work of all those within these organisations who deliver first-class healthcare services to the public across Scotland every day."

Another high-profile Scottish recipient is Andrew Goudie, the Scottish Government's chief economic adviser, who becomes a companion of the Order of the Bath, while Sandy Gall, the veteran broadcaster who was educated at Glenalmond College and Aberdeen University, becomes a CMG - meaning he is made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Popular artist John Lowrie Morrison - known as "Jolomo" - receives an OBE for his services to art and charity.

The painter, who was born in Maryhill, Glasgow, and went on to study at Glasgow School of Art, was commissioned by First Minister Alex Salmond and his wife Moira in 2007 to produce an image of Linlithgow Palace for the couple's official Christmas card.

The painter, who signs all his work "Jolomo", said: "I'm highly delighted. Painting and the Scottish landscape have been lifelong passions for me and there are charities whose fantastic work my wife and I are hugely keen to support.

"It's great to be recognised for doing things you love."

Shinty star Ronald Ross, the most successful player in the history of the sport, is also recognised with an MBE.

The 35-year-old Kingussie forward, dubbed the "Ronaldo of the Glens", is the only man to have scored more than 1,000 goals in the sport during an 18-year career.

"I've had a career I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams," he said. "I've been very fortunate and shinty has been really good to me."

Dr Tracey Menzies, who earned 153 international caps for Scotland, was awarded the MBE for services to women's hockey. "It's quite hard to describe how I feel because you really don't expect this kind of thing," she said. "I am delighted this MBE is raising the profile of a sport which has given a lot to me."