Scots pick up honours

Billy Connolly is appointed a CBE

Comedian Billy Connolly, singer Sydney Devine and swimmer Alison Sheppard are among the Scots recognised in the Birthday Honours list.

Painters Elizabeth Blackadder and Jack Vetrianno were also honoured - along with a tea lady from Glasgow and a school janitor in Angus.

Scots from all walks of life featured in the list, which was published on Saturday.

The best-known name is that of Billy Connolly, who was appointed a CBE for services to entertainment.

He started his career as one half of a folk duo before finding widespread fame as a comedian.

Connolly has also turned his hand to acting, picking up a Bafta nomination for his role in the 1997 film Mrs Brown.

Services to sport

Glasgow country singer Sydney Devine, whose performing career spans almost 50 years, becomes an MBE.

Falkirk-born painter Elizabeth Blackadder is made a Dame for services to the visual arts while Fife artist Jack Vetrianno is appointed an OBE.

Swimmer Alison Sheppard, from Glasgow, becomes an MBE for services to her sport.

All I do is treat everyone as if they were a member of my own family

Isa Allan, MBE

Tea lady among 'unsung heroes'

The four-time Olympian has been the top British female in 50 metres freestyle for almost 15 years.

Last year she won a gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The ordinary Scots honoured include Isa Allan, who has been tea lady at Scottish Enterprise for 18 years.

The 62-year-old said she was "stunned" to be appointed an MBE.

"I have many friends at Scottish Enterprise and it is lovely to know they appreciate me so much," she said.

School janitor

"All I do is treat everyone as if they were a member of my own family."

The same honour is awarded to school janitor Neil Adam, from Friockheim, for his services to education and the community.

Rev Gwynfai Jones and his wife Elspeth both become MBEs for services to race and community relations and asylum seekers in the Sighthill area of Glasgow.

The nature of my job has required considerable understanding on the part of my wife, two teenage sons and teenage daughter

Jim Stephen

Honour for Arlene detective

In business, CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan becomes a CBE for services to lifelong learning.

Ken Collins, the chairman of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, is knighted for services to environmental protection.

The 63-year-old said: "The environment is and always has been a subject very close to my heart.

"It may seem clichéd to say this, but this really is a tribute to the people with whom I have worked closely over the years both in the European Parliament and in Sepa."

Detective Superintendent Jim Stephen, who was in charge of the investigation into the murder of missing Elgin woman Arlene Fraser, is awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

Mrs Fraser's husband Nat was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering the mother-of-two, whose body has never been found.

DS Stephen said "The nature of my job has required considerable understanding on the part of my wife, two teenage sons and teenage daughter - and much expertise and hard work by those on the various inquiry teams I have led."