New Year’s honours: Glasgow 2014 figures awarded

Comedian, presenter, actor and Rangers fan Andy Cameron will be awarded an MBE. Picture: SNS

The 2014 list sees honours being handed out to some of the key figures behind the country’s largest ever multi-sport event, which was hailed as “the standout games in the history of the movement”.

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Scots from the worlds of sport, entertainment and politics are among those whose achievements have been recognised, alongside charity workers, healthcare staff and community volunteers.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Euan Burton, veteran entertainer Andy Cameron and Labour MP Anne McGuire are among nearly 150 Scots receiving accolades.

Comedian, presenter and actor Cameron, who famously wrote and performed the anthem for Scotland’s ill-fated 1978 World Cup bid, picks up an MBE for his services to entertainment and charity.

The 74-year-old, who starred in the Scottish soap High Road, also recently appeared alongside the now Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy in a campaign urging Scots to vote “No” to independence.

But it was Glasgow’s acclaimed hosting of Scotland’s third Commonwealth Games that left the most striking mark on the list, with a number of people connected to the event being honoured.

Leading the field is Edinburgh judoka Burton, who was chosen as Team Scotland flag bearer and now receives an MBE for services to his sport. He scooped gold for his country in the under-100kg division, one of a strong series of early performances from the home judo team.

Bridget McConnell, Glasgow 2014 board member, chief executive of Glasgow Life and wife of former First Minister of Scotland Jack McConnell, receives a CBE for her services to culture.

Scotland’s second “first lady” said she is “deeply touched” to receive the medal.

“Delivering a real and positive change to the people of Glasgow and Scotland through the very best in culture, sport and learning is an honour in and of itself,” she added. Joining her in the CBE category is Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, while deputy council leader Archie Graham picks up an OBE.

Both the men are being honoured for services to local government, with Mr Graham getting an extra mention for his contribution to the Games.

Behind-the-scenes officials for Glasgow 2014 are also being honoured.

OBEs go to Jon Doig, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, and Francesca Osowska, director of Commonwealth Games and sport at the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s Derek Bearhop, head of the Games delivery team, and Diane McLafferty, deputy director Commonwealth Games, both collect MBEs. Two high-profile women in Scottish politics receive damehoods in the new list – Ms McGuire and Sue Bruce, Edinburgh city council’s chief executive.

Ms McGuire has been MP for Stirling since 1997 and served as both minister and then shadow minister for the disabled. She also worked as parliamentary private secretary for Ed Miliband in the first year of his party leadership.

Described by Mr Miliband as “a dedicated representative of the people of Stirling, a passionate campaigner and, on a personal note, a good friend”,, she announced earlier this year that she will stand down at next year’s general election.

Ms Bruce has been credited with getting Edinburgh’s £776 million trams project back on track and played a major role in September’s independence referendum as depute chief counting officer.

She said the honour has come out of the blue, despite being named the UK’s best city leader just two months ago.

“This honour is something that I never expected to receive, and as a lifelong public servant it is a tremendous privilege to be recognised in this way,” she said.

“Serving as chief executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, particularly during such a challenging and exciting time for the capital, has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career.”

At the end of 12 months that saw Scotland hosting golf’s Ryder Cup, the MTV Europe Music Awards and more than 1,000 events for the Year of Homecoming, VisitScotland chairman Dr Mike Cantlay collects an OBE for his services to tourism.

Dr Cantlay said he was “hugely humbled” by the honour and paid tribute to those who work in the tourist industry throughout Scotland. It has been an absolute privilege to lead VisitScotland but I must stress that it has been an exceptional team effort,” he said.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Scots in the hospitality, travel and leisure industries who cared so passionately for our visitors during what has been an incredible year for tourism in this country.

“In 2014 the world came to Scotland and had a fabulous time.”

The Edinburgh-born former lord mayor of London Fiona Woolf, who resigned from her role as chair of the inquiry into historic child abuse, picks up a damehood for services to the legal profession, diversity and the city of London.

In other categories, OBEs are given to Festivals Edinburgh director Faith Liddell, for services to the arts, and chairman of the National Museums Scotland board of trustees Bruce Minto, for his contribution to culture.

He led the fundraising campaign for the £47 million transformation of the National Museum of Scotland.

“This is a tremendous honour, which is due to the support of many other people who have helped transform the National Museum of Scotland into one of the great museums of the world and a place to enjoy, celebrate and learn,” he said.

Louise Tait, the royal household’s Scottish communications secretary, is made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO), which recognises personal service to the monarch.

Anne Houston, former chief executive of the charity Children 1st, collects an OBE, as does Martyn Wade, formerly National Librarian and chief executive of the National Library of Scotland, and Allan Bantick, former chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

An MBE goes to Dr Brian Keighley, former chair of the British Medical Association, and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer David Martin.

Mr Martin, who has worked for the rescue organisation for the past 26 years is being honoured for the difference he has made to the communities of Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, and Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, where he works as a lifeboat station manager.

In 2013, Broughty Ferry launched 105 times, making it Scotland’s busiest lifeboat station and the fifth busiest in the UK and Ireland.

The Queen’s Police Medal has three Police Scotland recipients – deputy chief constable Stephen Allen, chief superintendent Mark McLaren and special constable Marshall Moyes.

The achievements of dozens of ordinary people are also recognised. The British Empire Medal (BEM) is being presented to individuals including William Hughes, for services to the fishing industry in the East Neuk of Fife, and Janice Hendrie, senior athletics coach at Inverclyde Athletic Club.

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