Ally McCoist and Armando Iannucci among Scots recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

EX-FOOTBALLER Ally McCoist, former prime minister Gordon Brown and writer and satirist Armando Iannucci are among the Scots recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Former Rangers and Scotland player and now pundit McCoist is made an OBE for services to association football and broadcasting.

The Thick Of It creator Iannucci becomes a CBE for services to film and television.

He said he was "delighted" about the award and takes it as a signal to keep defending public broadcasters from "attacks on independence and funding".

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Ally McCoist (Image: PA)

Gordon Brown becomes a Companion of Honour for public and charitable services in the UK and abroad.

The honour recognises significant contributions to the arts, science, medicine or government over a long period of time and is limited to just 65 people at any one time.

Mr Brown told the PA news agency: “I feel slightly embarrassed as the opportunity to serve is an honour in itself and my preference has always been to recognise all those brilliant, unsung, local heroes who quietly and selflessly give their time to contribute to the vitality of our communities.

“I want to thank those who put my name forward and thank too my family and all who have worked with me during the last 50 years in public life, to whom I owe everything.”

Armando Iannucci (Image: PA)

Dr Ann Moulds, trustee and founder of Action Against Stalking and a former Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year, becomes a CBE for services to victims of stalking.

A volunteer who helped restore the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer the PS Waverley has also been honoured.

John Beveridge, 71, has been made an MBE for services to paddle steamer preservation and charity.

He said: "The honour is for work I did on Maid of the Loch, which was a wreck and sinking in the 1990s. I helped save the Waverley back in 1974 when she was given to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1.

"The Waverley is more than 70 years old, it’s a great advert for Scotland. It’s been 25 years I’ve been involved in Maid of the Loch and volunteers are still helping to restore it. The aim is that she will sail again on Loch Lomond, hopefully one of these days."

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Dr Ann Moulds (Image: UWS/ Archive)

There is a knighthood for historian Professor Sir Niall Ferguson, who first came to the attention of many in the UK with the hit 2003 Channel 4 series Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World, and a best-selling book of the same name.

The Glasgow-born academic, who has written 16 books, told PA: “When an individual is honoured by the King, implicitly his formative influences are the real recipients of the honour.

“Anything I have achieved is in truth the achievement of my grandparents; my parents, Molly and Campbell; my school, the Glasgow Academy; my college, Magdalen, Oxford; and all the family members, teachers, mentors and friends who encouraged and supported me.”

Golfers Stephen Gallacher becomes an MBE and Sandy Lyle becomes an OBE for services to golf.

Jane Spiers, chairwoman of the National Theatre of Scotland, is made an OBE for services to culture in Scotland.

In a career in the arts spanning more than 40 years, she has been a producer, programmer, festival director, event manager and cultural policy adviser.

Gordon Brown (Image: PA)

A grandmother who spent years helping Holocaust survivors before retiring aged 81 has said she is “delighted” to be recognised.

Myrna Bernard, from East Renfrewshire, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the Jewish community and to the disabled in Scotland.

Describing her reaction to news of the award, she said: “It was a surprise, it was a shock, I’m very touched and just amazed and I’m delighted. It was very nice.”

Syed Nasir Jaffri receives an MBE for services to integration in Glasgow and Maureen Ferrie receives an MBE for services to people living with a disability in the city.

Tony Chalk, from Renfrewshire, receives an MBE for his services to the police as the force's Head of Fleet.

The King's Fire Service Medal will be awarded to Ross Haggart, chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

Liam Coughlan, head of Programmes & Enabling Technology Manager at the Scottish Ambulance Service will receive The King’s Ambulance Service Medal.

First Minister John Swinney said: "Those receiving recognition in The King’s Birthday Honours have each made outstanding contributions to community and public life, through the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community life and science.

"I am very pleased to offer them my congratulations. Their dedication and commitment makes Scotland a better place for us all.

"The people who have been awarded The King’s Police, Fire or Ambulance Service Medals have shown exceptional dedication and resilience in serving our communities and keeping us safe.

"They deserve our sincere appreciation and thanks for the sterling work they do."

Honours are announced twice annually, in June on the Monarch’s official birthday, and at New Year.