The King’s New Year’s Honours 2026

First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to those who have received awards in the King’s New Year Honours List.

The Rt Hon Adam Ingram receives a knighthood for Parliamentary and Political Service. Also receiving a knighthood is Professor Simon Milne, Regius Keeper and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for services to Botany, Conservation and Horticulture.

Professor Lorna Dawson, head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to innovations in soil and forensic science

Among those receiving the CBE are Professor Susan Rigby, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, for services to higher education, Mr William Watt, chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank, for services to the Economy and Professor Jill Belch, Professor of Vascular Medicine at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, for services to Medicine and Public Health.

Those being awarded an OBE include Anne Budge, businesswoman and lately Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Heart of Midlothian Football Club, for services to sport and to the community in Midlothian, Dr Kirsty Darwent, Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of Redress Scotland for services to the people of Scotland and Dr James Craig who receives an OBE for services to Scottish Association Football and to Charity.

Other recipients of the OBE include Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Yard, for services to Children and Families, Kathleen Murray, for services to Children’s Hearings in Scotland, John Burns, Chief Operating Officer at NHS Scotland and Carol Copstick, Head of Inspection at HM Inspectorate, Education Scotland.

Those receiving MBEs include Mohammed Shaukat, a volunteer at Glasgow Central Mosque, for services to the community, Dr Nelson Ashmole, co-founder of Borders Forest Trust, for services to Nature and Evelyn Graham, founder member of the ‘New Seekers’ for services to the music industry.

Among those honoured with the British Empire Medal are Pipe Major Raymond Peace, for services to music and culture in Orkney and squadron leader Stewart Norris, for services to young people in Aberdeenshire.

Chief Constable Joanna Farrell and Chief Superintendent Stephen Dolan, both of Police Scotland and retired Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Freeburn receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Firefighter Alexander Muir and Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, both of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The King’s Ambulance Service Medal is awarded to Lead Consultant Paramedic David Lee Bywater of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The First Minister said: “The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognises exceptional individuals – from unsung heroes to well-known names. Each recipient is worthy of their award and has made a significant difference to their community or excelled in their field.

“My congratulations to our emergency services members awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Throughout Scotland people benefit from the skills and expertise of our ‘blue light’ services personnel whose skills and expertise keep our communities and people safe, in often challenging circumstances.

“These honours celebrate the best of Scotland’s courageous spirit and sense of community. Congratulations and my personal thanks to every worthy recipient.”

The full list thanks to The Scotsman newspaper:

Scottish people from all walks of life have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list.

Former Celtic player and 1967 European Cup winner Jim Craig; specialist midwife Hilary Alba from Glasgow, and Lorna Dawson from the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.

More than 100 Scots have been recognised for their hard work and positive contributions to society in the New Year Honours, including at least three people from Dunbartonshire.

Dunbartonshire has been given back its old name and returned to Helensburgh in the official documents attached to the List.

For example:

Kathleen Murray. For services to Children’s Hearings in Scotland. (Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire)
Kathryn Jane Bennet. Chair, Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association. For services to the Disabled Community in West and Central Scotland. (Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire)

His Majesty The King’s annual New Year Honours list represents the best of Britain, awarding honours such as knighthoods, medals or ranks to those worked hard to support various causes and campaigns throughout the year.

The full list of people from Scotland recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Professor Lorna Anne Dawson CBE FRSE. Head, Centre for Forensic Soil Science, James Hutton Institute. For services to Innovations in Soil and Forensic Science. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen)

The Royal Victorian Order (CVO)

Jeanna Catherine Swan. Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire. (Berwickshire)

Knights Bachelor

Professor Simon Stephen Milne MBE. Regius Keeper and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. For services to Botany, Conservation and Horticulture. (Forfar, Angus)
The Right Honourable Adam Paterson Ingram. For Parliamentary and Political Service. (East Kilbride, Lanarkshire)

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Professor Rhona Hunter Flin. Emeritus Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Professor of Industrial Psychology, Robert Gordon University and Academic Advisor, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. For services to Research. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen)
Peter Bruce. Chief Executive Officer, Entier. For services to the Catering Industry and to Charity. (Turriff, Aberdeenshire)
Lynn Brown OBE. Lately Chief Executive and Accountable Officer, The Scottish Police Authority. For services to Policing and Public Service. (Gullane, East Lothian)
William Geddie Watt. Chair, The Scottish National Investment Bank. For services to the Economy. (North Berwick, East Lothian)
David Charles Gemmell Garbutt QPM. Chair, NHS Education for Scotland. For services to the Health and Social Care Sector. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Professor Susan Rigby FRSE. Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Edinburgh Napier University and lately Vice-Chancellor, Bath Spa University. For services to Higher Education. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Rita Emilia Anna The Honourable Lady Rae KC. For services to the Law, to Charity and to Education in Scotland. (Glasgow, Glasgow)
Professor Jill Jannette Freda Belch OBE FRSE. Professor of Vascular Medicine and Consultant Physician, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, NHS Tayside. For services to Medicine and Public Health. (Scone, Perth and Kinross)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Dr Sylvia Halkerston. Lord Dean of Guild of the Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen. For services to Education and to Young People. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen)
Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka. Service Clinical Director, Genetics, NHS Grampian and Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Aberdeen. For services to Medical Genetics and Research. (Inverurie, Aberdeenshire)
John George Burns. Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland. For services to the NHS in Scotland. (Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and Arran)
Michelle Ferguson. Director, Confederation British Industry Scotland. For services to the Economy. (Dunbartonshire)
Kathleen Murray. For services to Children’s Hearings in Scotland. (Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire)
Dr Janet Elizabeth Blake. Academic and Cultural Heritage Expert. For services to Intangible Cultural Heritage and to Cultural Heritage Law. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Dr Ann Cochrane Cook Wallace Budge. Lately Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Heart of Midlothian Football Club. For services to Sport and to the community in Midlothian. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore. Feline Veterinary Surgeon, The University of Edinburgh and Member, The Feline Infectious Peritonitis Advisory Group. For services to Feline Veterinary Medicine. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
James Patrick Reville. Lately Community Resilience Manager, Community Resilience, Civil Contingencies Division, Scottish Government. For services to Community Resilience in Scotland. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Celine Sinclair. Chief Executive, The Yard. For services to Children and Families. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Bob Garmory. Volunteer, Multibank. For services to the community in Fife. (Lochgelly, Fife)
Pamela Ann Dean Clark. Lately Board Vice-Chair, NHS Highland. For services to the NHS. (Inverness, Inverness-shire)
Professor Angus James Mackintosh Watson. Clinical Lead, The Scottish Capsule Programme and Clinical Chair of Surgery, University of Aberdeen. For services to Research and Surgical Care. (Inverness, Inverness-shire)
Stephen John Kerr. Director, Social Security, The Scottish Government. For services to Public Service Reform. (Lanarkshire)
Marie Sarah Owen. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LS Productions. For services to the Creative Industries and to Economic Development. (Dalkeith, Midlothian)
Benjamin Toby Pentreath. Designer. For services to Design. (Rousay, Orkney)
Dr James Philip Craig. For services to Scottish Association Football and to Charity. (Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross)
Carol Ann Copstick. Head of Inspection, HM Inspectorate, Education Scotland. For services to Education. (Paisley, Renfrewshire)
Jeanette Margaret Smart. Lately Development Officer, Food for Thought Education Fund, Education Scotland. For services to Food and Health Education. (Paisley, Renfrewshire)
Dr Christopher Bryn Pritchard. Chair, Scottish Mathematical Council, Secretary, James Clerk Maxwell Foundation and lately President of The Mathematical Association. For services to Mathematics Education. (Callander, Stirling and Falkirk)
Professor Maria Mercedes Maroto Valer FRSE. Director, Research Centre for Carbon Solutions, Heriot-Watt University. For services to Low Energy Technologies. (Balerno, West Lothian)
Angus Maclennan. Lately Head Teacher, e-Sgoil. For services to Education and Gaelic. (Stornoway, Western Isles)
Dr Kirsty Lawrie Darwent. Chair, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Chair, Redress Scotland. For services to the People of Scotland. (Thame, Oxfordshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Michael Scott. Board Member, Osprey Housing, Board Member, SCARF and Board Member, Aberdeen Heat and Power. For Public Service. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen)
Claire Bruce. Lately Chair of VisitAberdeenshire. For services to Tourism in the North East of Scotland. (Aberdeenshire)
James Buchan. Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Seafood Association. For services to the Scottish Seafood Industry. (Peterhead, Aberdeenshire)
Paul Joseph Higson. Project Manager and Volunteer. For services to the Built Heritage of Scotland. (Aboyne, Aberdeenshire)
David Reid. Volunteer, REMAP. For services to People with Disabilities. (Insch, Aberdeenshire)
Adele Suzanne Steel. For services to Girlguiding. (Inverurie, Aberdeenshire)
Wilma Milligan. For services to Charity and Food Poverty. (Prestwick, Ayrshire and Arran)
Mary Murray. Secretariat, The Music Education Partnership Group. For services to Music and Education. (Kilwinning, Ayrshire and Arran)
Charles Findlay. Member, Whitehills and District Community Council. For services to the community in Banffshire. (Banff, Banffshire)
Moyra Helen Hendry. Primary Advisor, Moray Council Education Department and formerly, Head Teacher at Cullen Primary School, Moray. For services to Education. (Buckie, Banffshire)
John Loy MacMillan. Chief Executive, The Eric Liddell Community. For services to Community Development, to Sport and to Social Enterprise. (Dumfries and Galloway)
Kathryn Jane Bennet. Chair, Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association. For services to the Disabled Community in West and Central Scotland. (Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire)
Paul Hugh McNeill. Ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland. For services to Young People with Dyslexia. (Bishopbriggs, Dunbartonshire)
Dr David John Brown. Volunteer and lately Archivist, National Records of Scotland. For services to Historical Document Recovery. (Musselburgh, East Lothian)
Harith Sadiq Ali. Fundraiser. For Charitable Service. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Dr Alan Richard Borthwick. Head of Medieval and Private Records, National Records of Scotland. For services to Historical Document Recovery. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Daniel Costello. Chair, Spartans Football Club. For services to Community Sport and Youth Development. (Edinburgh)
Carolyn Margaret Currie. Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Enterprise Scotland. For services to Women’s Entrepreneurship, Economic Empowerment, and to Gender Equality. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Philip Peter Gerrard. Chief Executive Officer Deaf Action. For services to the Deaf Community, to Cultural Inclusion and to Disability Rights. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Catherine Lackie. Lately Receptionist and Clerical Assistant, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. For services to the NHS in Scotland. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
David Nicholas Pollacchi. Volunteer Coach and Founding Trustee Board Member, Lochend Football Academy. For services to the community in Lochend. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Professor John Gareth Rees. Chief Scientist, Multi-Hazards and Resilience, British Geological Survey. For services to Multi-Hazard Science and Disaster Risk Reduction. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
William Frank Gourlay Strang. Lately Deputy Director, Europe Division, Scottish Government. For services to Intercultural Dialogue and Interfaith Relations. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Martin John Rogers. Cub Scout Leader and Trustee for District Scout Council. For services to Young People, to Scouting and to the community in Rosyth, Fife. (Rosyth, Fife)
Dr Hamish Adie Tait. Chair, Heart Start. For services to Public Access to Defibrillators. (St Andrews, Fife)
Hilary Alba. Specialist Midwife, Blossom Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. For services to Community Midwifery. (Glasgow, Glasgow)
Lawrence Peter McGarry. Volunteer, The Legion of Mary Wayside Club. For services to the community in Glasgow. (Glasgow, Glasgow)
Mohammed Shaukat. Volunteer, Glasgow Central Mosque. For services to the community in Glasgow. (Glasgow, Glasgow)
Dr Timothy Roy Allison. Director of Public Health, NHS Highland. For services to the NHS in Scotland. (Inverness, Inverness-shire)
Anne Therese Knox. Deputy Chief Executive, Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise. For services to Good Governance of Small Charities. (Lanark, Lanarkshire)
Dr Deirdre Johanna McCormick. Chief Nurse, Head of Service Public Protection, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. For services to Public Protection. (Hamilton, Lanarkshire)
Michael McDonnell. Director, Road Safety Scotland. For services to Road Safety in Scotland. (Coatbridge, Lanarkshire)
Marc Yocksan Bell. Edinburgh Operational Missing Person Co-Ordinator, Edinburgh Policing Division. For services to Young People and Missing Persons. (Dalkeith, Midlothian)
Jennifer Mitchell Fairgrieve. Chair, Libertus Elderly Services. For services to Older People. (Loanhead, Midlothian)
Professor Desmond Bruin Angus Thompson FRSE. Scientific Advisory Committee Member, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh and lately Principal Adviser on Biodiversity and Science, NatureScot. For services to Nature Conservation. (Penicuik, Midlothian)
Kresanna Margarette Aigner. Founder, Findhorn Bay Arts. For services to Arts and Culture. (Forres, Moray)
Anne Elizabeth Stewart. Volunteer. For services to the community in Nairn. (Nairn, Nairn)
Patricia Margaret Smith. Member, Fundraising Committee, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For services to the community in Orkney. (Kirkwall, Orkney)
Dr Andrew James Trevett. Medical Director, Orkney Hyperbaric Unit. For services to Medicine, to Diving, and to the community of Orkney. (Harray, Orkney)
David John Barnes. Founder, the Strath-Kenya Project – Strathallan School, Forgandenny. Diplomatic Service — For services to Children and Young People in Perthshire and Kenya. (Perth)
Marion Lindsay Foster. Master Kilt Tailor and Founder, The College of Master Kilt Tailors. For services to Scottish Craftsmanship. (Perth, Perth and Kinross)
Evelyn May Graham. Recording Artist. For services to the Music Industry. (Perth, Perth and Kinross)
Sandra McCourt. Volunteer. For services to Young Survivors of Sexual Abuse and to the Young LGBTQ+ Community. (Forfar, Perth and Kinross)
Alan Andrew Craig. Founder and Musical Director, Springfield Cambridge Festival Chorus and Orchestra. For services to Fundraising for Children’s Hospices. (Johnstone, Renfrewshire)
David Smart Laing. Lately Chair, Borders Disability Sports Group. For services to Sport. (Kelso, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale)
Lynsey Russell. Senior Charge Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, Borders General Hospital, NHS Borders. For services to the NHS. (Galashiels, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale)
Karen Helen Ross. Voluntary Director and Secretary, Kilmadock Development Trust, and Chair, Doune and Deanston Youth Project. For services to the community in Doune and Deanston. (Doune, Stirling and Falkirk)
Dr Robert Harold Sharp. For Voluntary Service to Mountain Rescue in Scotland. (Blanefield, Stirling and Falkirk)
Frances Elisabeth Gunn DL. Chair, Flow Country World Heritage Site Steering Group. For services to Heritage and the community in Sutherland. (Sutherland)
Major Alisdair Miller. Volunteer. For services to the community in Sutherland. (Golspie, Sutherland)
Alistair Brian Risk. Volunteer. For services to Charity. (Brora, Sutherland)
Dr Nelson Philip Ashmole. Co-Founder, Borders Forest Trust, Scottish Borders and Volunteer Conservationist. For services to Nature. (Peebles, Tweeddale)
Gael Campbell Drummond. Chief Executive Officer, Firstport. For services to Social Enterprise. (Broxburn, West Lothian)
Gavin Thomas Mann. Data Lead for Retirement Services, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service. (Blackburn, West Lothian)
Roland Christian Douglas Schau Engebretsen. Co-Founder and Director, MacAulay College, Isle of Lewis. For services to Education, to Social Inclusion and to People with Additional Support Needs in the Western Isles. (Stornoway, Western Isles)
Rebecca Anne Lindsay. Co-Founder and Director, MacAulay College, Isle of Lewis. For services to Education, to Social Inclusion, and to People with Additional Support Needs in the Western Isles. (Stornoway, Western Isles)
Ian Angus Mackenzie. Chair, Harris Tweed Hebrides. For services to the Harris Tweed Industry. (Stornoway, Western Isles)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Alexander William Dalgarno. Owner, Pittenderich Forest. For services to Tourism in the North East of Scotland. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen) Aberdeenshire
Alison Rosalind Milne. Highland Dance Teacher. For services to Highland Dancing. (Huntly, Aberdeenshire)
Stewart Thomas Norris. Squadron Leader, Commanding 875 (Westhill) Squadron RAF Air Cadets. For services to Young People in Aberdeenshire. (Westhill, Aberdeenshire)
Sileas Sinclair. Conductor, Oban Gaelic Choir, Composer and Music Arranger. For services to Scottish Music and Culture. (Oban, Argyll and Bute)
Jan Blackwood McCulloch Haynes. Practice Manager, Barns Medical Practice, Ayr. For services to Practice Management and Education. (Mauchline, Ayrshire and Arran)
Dr Kevin Peter Robinson. Director of Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit and Leading Marine Ecologist. For services to the Protection of UK Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. (Banff, Banffshire)
Kathleen Kaye. Children’s Nursery Practitioner. For services to Early Years Childcare in Dumfries and Galloway. (Dumfries and Galloway)
Lee-Anne Chapman. Senior Marketing Manager, The Scottish Government. For services to Autistic People Living in Scotland. (Edinburgh, Edinburgh)
Ann Elizabeth Pike. Chair of Carers of West Lothian and lately Vice-Chair of West Lothian’s Third Sector Interface. For service to the community and Third Sector in West Lothian. (Livingston, Edinburgh)
Diane Christine Sangster. Manager, Cosmos Community Centre, St Andrews. For services to Community Education and Childcare. (St Andrews, Fife)
Bartholomew McCran. Volunteer. For services to The Royal British Legion and to Ex-Service People in Glasgow. (Glasgow, Glasgow)
John Crombie. For services to Music in Badenoch and Strathspey. (Kingussie, Inverness-shire)
Gilbert Feron. For services to the community in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. (Cambuslang, Lanarkshire)
Louise Marie Gough. Founder, Bright Sparks SCIO, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. For services to Foster Care. (Lasswade, Midlothian)
James John Wilson. Chair, Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football Club. For services to Youth Development, Sport and to Community Empowerment. (Gorebridge, Midlothian)
Andrew John Cant. For services to Music in Orkney. (Kirkwall, Orkney)
Glynis Smith Macleod. Lately Medical Secretary, NHS Orkney. For services to the NHS and to the community in Orkney. (Kirkwall, Orkney)
Raymond Stockan Peace. Pipe Major. For services to Music, Culture and to the community in Orkney. (Kirkwall, Orkney)
Erika Shearer. Director of Music, The Orkney Traditional Music Project. For services to Traditional Fiddle and Accordion Tuition. (Kirkwall, Orkney)
Iain William Lamond. Battalion Secretary and Officer in Charge of The Boys’ Brigade Scone Company Section. For services to The Boys’ Brigade. (Scone, Perth and Kinross)
Elaine Balfour. Lately Leader, 62nd Glasgow Girls’ Brigade. For services to the community in Glasgow. (Paisley, Renfrewshire)
Mary Ann MacFarlane. For services to Community Care and Charity. (Portree, Ross and Cromarty)
Alan Gilbert Brydon. Composer and Songwriter. For services to Music in Hawick, Scotland. (Hawick, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale)
Peter Campbell. For services to Gaelic and Scottish Culture. (Dunblane, Stirling and Falkirk)
Margaret Anne McDonald. Founder and Chair, Car4U. For services to People with Cancer in Falkirk. (Falkirk, Stirling and Falkirk)