Dame Jackie Baillie received the honour for political and public service, making her the first sitting MSP to either be knighted or given a damehood. She has been the MSP for Dumbarton since the Scottish Parliament was created in 1999, and she became deputy Scottish Labour leader in 2020.

Following the ceremony yesterday at the royal palace in Edinburgh, she said: “It is deeply humbling to receive this honour on behalf of my constituents and in light of 25 years of service in the Scottish Parliament.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Dumbarton in the Scottish Parliament in the years to come.”

Dame Jackie has been a staunch ally to Scotland’s pro-UK majority for years, notably in 2021 when she held her seat against a huge SNP effort to oust her and prevented Nicola Sturgeon from achieving an outright majority of 65 MSPs.

Last year, she also helped Labour secure its first Westminster by-election win in Rutherglen and Hamilton.

Among others to receive honours at the palace on Wednesday were broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, right, who was made an MBE for services to people with dementia and their carers.

She founded the charity Playlist for Life in 2013 after observing the effect music had on her mother’s dementia.

Her late mother was Mamie Baird, a journalist with the old Scottish Daily Express, and her father, Magnus Magnusson, also a journalist, was the chairperson of the popular BBC television programme Mastermind.

Playlist for Life works with families and care homes to encourage people to develop a playlist of personally meaningful music for those with dementia.

Upon being made an MBE, she said: “It’s lovely that this award recognises the restorative power of personally meaningful music to people living with dementia.

“Through this music they find themselves able to experience genuine joy and connection again. I’m thrilled to accept the award on behalf of Playlist for Life, and the many people who have supported us over the years.”

Figures from charity and the emergency services were also honoured at the ceremony.