Nicola Benedetti and Barbara Dickson on Royal Conservatoire of Scotland honorary degree list

VIOLINIST Nicola Benedetti and actress Barbara Dickson were amongst those honored today by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Actor and director David Hayman, broadcaster Richard Holloway and artistic director of Scottish Ballet Ashley Page will also become honorary Doctors of Drama at the ceremony in Glasgow.

Benedetti began violin lessons at the age of five and won the Young Classical Brit Award in 2008. She is due to open the main stage at T in the Park on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has released five albums and has performed across the world with high profile orchestras. She will make her debut at the Edinburgh International Festival this year when she performs the complete Szymanowski and Brahms symphonies with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Usher Hall.

Olivier Award winner and multi-million selling recording artist Dickson will add her honorary degree to an OBE she received from the Queen over a decade ago.

Born in Dunfermline, Fife, she has appeared acted on television and stage and toured the UK last year with her latest album Words Unspoken.

Glasgow-born David Hayman will receive his degree for his acting, directing and humanitarian work. He studied at the Conservatoire, then known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, before beginning a successful theatre, television and cinema career.

Former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway has written for many British newspapers and was chairman of the Scottish Arts Council for five years.

Ashley Page has been recognised for his decade as artistic director of Scottish Ballet during which they have performed classic shows and won critical awards for their performances.