Delight for honours recipients

Scots have been speaking of their delight at being named in the New Year Honours List.

The list includes names of people from all walks of public life across Scotland and aims to recognise their contributions to society.

Liverpool and former Scotland football star Gary McAllister, originally from Motherwell, said he was delighted to have received an MBE.

Gary McAllister: Distinguished career

He said: "Of course it's an honour, and it was a great surprise when I was contacted by Tony Blair's office.

"I feel it is more to mark what has been 20 years for me in the game, it has made me very happy to receive it.

"But it must be said that I must thank all the teams I have played for."

Allen Fyffe, Secretary of the Scottish Mountain Leadership Training Board at Glenmore, also received an MBE.

Mr Fyffe is viewed as one of the UK's top mountaineers and a world expert on the Cairngorms.

He said: "I did not think there was anything I had done that deserved such an honour but I am very pleased."

'Foot-and-mouth oubreak'

Speaking about mountaineering he said: "It continues to be a challenging activity, and is never the same twice."

"The last foot-and-mouth outbreak showed how important it is to the economy of Scotland.

"Judging from the number of people around at the moment we can see people are coming back and all the fresh snow at the moment will help to attract them."

The former Scottish rugby union official Jim Fleming, from Edinburgh, was another recipient of an MBE.

Mr Fleming, who retired six months ago, said the honour should be seen as a tribute to the standard of refereeing throughout Scotland.

Jim Fleming: "Standard recognised"

He said: "I think this award also shows recognition towards Scottish refereeing.

"It's a great honour, without any question. When I retired in June I received various presentations from people but to be recognised in this way has really taken me aback."

Mr Fleming officiated at more than 40 internationals, after being appointed to Scotland's international panel in 1983, and went on receive a record number of caps for Scotland.

Patricia MacArthur, a school crossing patrol guide at Bridgend Primary School in West Lothian, and postman Brian Wildish, from Perth, also received MBEs for services to their communities.

Mrs MacArthur, 66, who has been helping children to cross the road for 31 years, said the honour had left her speechless and "wanting to laugh".

She said her dream would be for the children at Bridgend Primary to see her meet the Queen and added: "People ask me if I am frightened doing this job, but not at all - I just want to see the children safely across the road."

Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable, Sandra Hood was revealed as another recipient of an OBE.

She said: "I hope this is a measure of encouragement to all woman police officers in Scotland, particularly the young women beginning their careers."