Award sees Hugh sail into the history books

Mr Henderson, 69, from Longniddry, was one of three people to receive the accolade at the RYA Awards on Thursday.

The sailor was selected for the honour in light of his work for RYA Scotland, where he was vice-chairman and chairman on a voluntary basis.

Mr Henderson, who was born in Galashiels but moved to Edinburgh when he was eight, first became interested in sailing through his father.

He explained: "My father had a small sailing boat that he kept at Granton, so I used to go sailing with him. I remember my first ever sail was on the Firth of Forth. We tended to sail at weekends because we didn't have a car."

Mr Henderson sailed in the Cadet Force at George Heriot's. He later went on to secure a apprenticeship with Capital law firm Morton Fraser. He studied at Edinburgh University, qualified through the Law Society of Scotland, then joined the firm as a specialist in commercial, contract and property law. He later went on to become a partner.

While working as a lawyer he was increasingly involved with RYA Scotland. In 1980 he entered the management side of the sport when he joined the council of Royal Forth Yacht Club. He became the vice-chairman in 1998, then occupied the chairman post between 2005 and 2008. He was part of the team which developed the pioneering Sailing in the City programme, which offered an inclusive introduction to sailing for children from all walks of life.

Mr Henderson continues to be very involved in the sport, as a member of the RYA council and as founder and chairman of the Scottish Boating Alliance.

Chairman of RYA Scotland, Hamish Mackay, said: "I am delighted that Hugh has received this award. It is recognition of the tremendous amount of effort Hugh has put into RYA Scotland.

"Hugh has over many years given, and continues to give, his time and professional expertise to the organisation to which we are greatly indebted.

"In his time in office he shaped a number of ground breaking initiatives and has left a lasting legacy."