THE principal of Edinburgh University was among dozens of Scots honoured by the Queen today at an investiture ceremony in Edinburgh.
A total of 84 awards, including knighthoods, CBEs, OBEs and MBEs, were given out at a service in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Professor Timothy O'Shea formally received a knighthood for his services to higher education.
Afterwards he said: "The
ceremony was lovely, it was beautifully done and had a nice sense of occasion.
"It was lovely to see people from so many walks of life in Scotland being recognised at the same time."
He said he was "really very pleased" to receive the award, and added: "I've had so many good wishes from my colleagues at the university for today as well, and that was lovely."
The Queen, wearing a pale aqua-coloured dress, took just under an hour to hand out the honours in the palace's Picture Gallery.
One of the first to be honoured was whisky firm boss Ian Good, who received a knighthood for services to industry.
And he confessed to having a few nerves before his appointment with the Queen.
Sir Ian said: "I'm used to speaking in front of a number of people but I was more nervous today than if I had been speaking to 200 people."
He added: "The ceremony was very intimate and because it was in Scotland I knew quite a number of people who were also being honoured. But it was also very moving."
Sir Ian is the head of The Edrington drinks group and former chairman of the Scotch Whisky Association.
The Edrington group, whose brands include The Macallan and Famous Grouse, is Scotland's biggest private company and exports some five million cases a year.
The full article contains 296 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
