As Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, the 2022 Birthday Honours list was revealed this week.
Among them was Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, as well as Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone. The news had us here at Edinburgh Live wondering who else from our great city has been honoured, so we raked through the archives to find out.
Some are surprising, some were expected, but all are deserving. Check out the list below to see.
READ MORE - Edinburgh author Ian Rankin knighted after featuring in Queen's Birthday Honours list
Sean Connery
The first actor to portray fictional secret agent James Bond on film, Sean Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film and drama.
He was born in Fountainbridge in 1930, Connery was the child of a cleaning lady and factory worker - and before getting into acting had many different jobs in the city including a lorry driver, a bodybuilder, and an artist’s model for the Edinburgh College of Art.
He died in his sleep in October 2020, at the age of 90.
Chris Hoy
With a total of seven Olympic medals, Chris Hoy is a former track cyclist who has represented both Great Britain and Scotland in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
He grew up in Murrayfield, attending George Watson’s College before heading to St Andrews University - and eventually the University of Edinburgh. Hoy was appointed an MBE for services to cycling in the 2005 New Year Honours.
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan was born in Edinburgh, before her family moved to Leeds and then Birmingham.
The Scottish actress is known for her roles in Sherlock and Star Wars: Episode I, as well on stage roles such as Private Lives. She was awarded a CBE in the 2009 Birthday Honours, for services to drama.
Jackie Kay
A Scottish poet, playwright and novelist - Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh in 1961. Best known for her works Other Lovers and Trumpet, she was awarded an MBE for services to Literature in 2006.
Allan Wells
Allan Wells became an Olympic champion in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, after going for gold in the 100 metre relay. He was awarded an MBE for services to sport following his achievements.
Ken Buchanan
Edinburgh born Ken Buchanan is a retired professional boxer, who was once the undisputed world lightweight champion. Brought up on the housing estate of Northfield near Portobello, Ken won his first amateur competition at the age of 8. He was awarded an MBE in 2002.
JK Rowling
Most famous for her Harry Potter series of novels, JK Rowling has gone on to sell over 500 million copies of the books - which have been translated into 70 different languages.
She received her OBE for services to children’s literature in 2000.
Alexander McCall Smith
Formerly Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh, Alexander McCall Smith is an expert of medical law and bioethics - though has since become known as a fiction writer.
Known for The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, he was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 2006 for services to literature.
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Gavin Hastings
Former rugby union player Gavin Hastings is widely regarded to be one of the best ever Scottish rugby players of his generation, winning 61 caps for Scotland.
He played for Watsonians, London Scottish, Cambridge University, Scotland and the British Lions. Hastings was appointed an OBE in 1993 for services to the rugby union.
David Murray
Former chairman of Rangers and successful businessman, Murray had formed his first business by the age of 23.
He was knighted in the 2007 New Years Honours List, for services to business in Scotland. He received his honour from the Queen at a ceremony of Holyrood Palace.
Jonathon Mills
Director of the Edinburgh International Festival between 2006 and 2014, Jonathon Mills, was awarded an Order of Australia in 2013.
Geoff Palmer
A Professor Emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, Geoff Palmer is also a human rights activist.
He became the first black professor in Scotland in 1989, and was knighted in the New Year Honours in 2014.
Tony Blair
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was awarded the Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, the highest ranking of knighthood, in the New Year’s honours this year.
A petition on change.org was quickly launched, which received over a million votes to remove the honour. The petition read: “Tony Blair caused irreparable damage to both the constitution of the United Kingdom and to the very fabric of the nation’s society.”
Brian McMaster
Another director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Brian McMaster was awarded with a knighthood for his services to the Edinburgh Festival at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2003.
He served as director from 1991 until 2006.
Josh Littlejohn
Founder of the homeless support charity Social Bite, as well as the World’s Big Sleep out, Josh Littlejohn is a social entrepreneur and philanthropist.
He was given an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2017 - as well as honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University.
Kate Caithness
President of the World Curling Federation, Kate Caithness began curling in the 80s playing for the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in Edinburgh. She promoted wheelchair curling, helping to push for it to become a Paralympic sport in 2006.
She was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to curling and international disability sport.
Ian Rankin
Along with Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, Ian Rankin was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this year for his services to literature and charity.
The Rebus author said it was “amazing to be honoured this way”, adding: “I am not sure what Detective Inspector John Rebus would make of it - he’d almost certainly tell me not to get too big-headed.”
