Lifeboatman, school janitor - all the unsung heroes

A STONEMASON who has helped to preserve some of Scotland's most historic buildings is among dozens of unsung Scots who have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Thomas Goodlet MBE has tended national landmarks such as Edinburgh and Stirling castles and the famous Borders abbeys. He cleaned and repaired the Stone of Destiny before its return to Scotland in 2000 after hundreds of years in Westminster Abbey.

Mr Goodlet, 59, from Musselburgh in East Lothian, said the job he remembers most was the restoration of the fountain at Linlithgow Palace, after centuries of neglect - which suffered from pre-war restoration attempts using concrete.

Mr Goodlet added: "I accepted the award firstly on behalf of my family and then my work colleagues. We work as a team, not as individuals."

He added: "I'm not really one for recognition - there are a lot more deserving people than me, but I'm very honoured to be thought of."

John Murray, 55, also becomes an MBE. He retired this year after more than 30 years with the RNLI in Anstruther, the last seven as coxswain.

RNLI records show that a total of 44 lives were saved during Mr Murray's time at the Anstruther station.

But he insisted: "The honour came as a great surprise. The biggest problem was keeping my mouth shut about it."

Mr Murray, a building contractor, said: "The honours system has still got a place. I'm highly honoured, not just for me, but for the station and all the boys."

Primary school janitor Duncan Frame, 64, also became an MBE. His citation said that his 24-year stewardship of Larbert Village Primary School in Stirlingshire had been outstanding and noted he had organised and coached the school's football team for many years.

Mr Frame said: "It came as a surprise when the letter came through the door. I thought it was a wind-up.

"I don't think I'm very special, but the people on the school board said people get on with me, which is great. It's a big honour that people think enough of you to put you forward."

Mr Frame added that the honours system still had a role to play in modern society.

He said: "This is an honour for the school and the kids love it. They were all cheering and some even asked me if I could get the Queen's autograph if I see her."

Joyce Mudie, headteacher at Pilrig Park School in Edinburgh, was given an OBE to mark her near 30 years of service to children with special needs.

She said: "Special needs can often be seen as a Cinderella part of the education service and there may be a perception that it's undervalued, but we know the contribution we make to children and their parents is of enormous value.

"We celebrate success here - which is sometimes a long time coming for some of our pupils - but we work with a great team and great parents and it's a joy to challenge stereotypes."

Mrs Mudie, 61, said one of her proudest moments was seeing a young man who had severe emotional problems and educational difficulties blossom in the small classes and specialised atmosphere of Pilrig.

She added: "He's now serving in the armed forces, which is an enormous achievement for someone coming from a special school."

And Mrs Mudie insisted: "There is still a place for the honours system. It has a more egalitarian feel to it now - it seems much more democratic than it used to be.