Edinburgh man recognised for services to veterans in Kings Birthday Honours List
Edinburgh has seen 18 residents recognised in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours List 2025.
They are part of 110 Scottish recipients who will be celebrated as community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.
1,215 individuals will be recognised for their brilliant achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service. Scotland makes up nine per cent of the total honours issued this year.
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Retired major Charles Matthew Pelling who works as a manager at the Lady Haig Poppy Factory has been recognised for his services to veterans and will be awarded an OBE.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'This year's Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country.
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"From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all.'
The secretary of state for Scotland, Ian Murray, said: "I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list, particularly John and Linda Norgrove on their well-deserved OBEs for their extraordinary humanitarian work in Afghanistan through the Linda Norgrove Foundation. Their dedication to improving the lives of Afghan women and girls, born from personal tragedy, exemplifies the very best of Scottish compassion and resolve.
'Communities across Scotland benefit from the extraordinary effort of those honoured. From Dr Richa Sinha Chair of the Scottish Hindu society and their work to tackle Hinduphobia, to Zahrah Mahmood Chair of the Rambling Society to Heather Hall founding The Usual Place in Dumfries.
'I would also like to extend special recognition to Scotland Office's own Moira Vance on receiving her MBE. Moira's unwavering commitment to public service has been instrumental in the work of our department for 44 years, and this honour reflects her exceptional contribution to the people of Scotland.
'The Honours list showcases the remarkable achievements of individuals across Scotland who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields. Their service to our communities represents the spirit of dedication and excellence that makes Scotland proud."
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, click here to put them forward.
A list of Edinburgh recipients are below:
CBE:
Professor Julie Lydia FITZPATRICK OBE FRSE Chief Scientific Adviser, Scottish Government. For services to Science
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
OBE:
Yvonne Cecelia Elizabeth LEAVY (Yvonne Sibson) Lead Epilepsy Nurse, NHS Lothian. For services to Epilepsy Nursing
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Catherine Anne MACDONALD (Kiki Macdonald) Co-Founder and Trustee, Euan 's Guide.
For services to People with Disabilities
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Dr Alastair John MACGILCHRIST Chair, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems. For services to Medicine and Public Health
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
John Grant MACRAE For Charitable Services in Scotland
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Duncan Andrew MOSS Technical Relationship Consultant, Ordnance Survey. For services to Technical Consultancy and to Government Resilience
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Major (Rtd) Charles Matthew PELLING Manager, Lady Haig Poppy Factory, Poppy Scotland. For services to Veterans
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Alexander James Samuel STEWART Senior Statistician, Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, Scottish Government. For services to Scottish Economic Statistics
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Karen Valerie WATT Lately Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Funding Council. For Public Service
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
MBE:
Anthea Margaret DONAGHUE Lately Chair, Pregnancy Counselling and Care Scotland. For services to Pregnancy Support in Edinburgh
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Professor Donna-Jean Corrigan O'BOYLE Professional Adviser to the Chief Nursing Officer's Directorate, Scottish Government. For services to Improving Patient Safety
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Lesley STEPHEN Patient Advocate, Make 2nds Count.
For services to People with Secondary Breast Cancer and to Cancer Research
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Bridget Mary STEVENS Pioneer, Audio Description, Edinburgh.
For services to the Arts
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
BEM:
Alan BORTHWICK Artistic Director, Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society. For services to Music
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Frank DONOGHUE Lately Locality Hub Team Leader, City of Edinburgh Council. For Public Service in Edinburgh
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Thomas DOUGLAS Veterans Community Support Manager, Royal British Legion Scotland. For services to Veterans in Scotland
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
David Liston LYLE Musical Director, Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society. For services to Music
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
Margaret McPhillips MANSON Founder, Edinburgh Technician Network. For services to the Provision of Sciences in Education in Edinburgh
(Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh)
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