The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Palin puts St Andrews award at ‘top of the tree’
Writer and broadcaster given honorary degree for contribution to geography
Comedy was never far away when Michael Palin was awarded an honorary degree by St Andrews University.
The Monty Python legend raised some laughs when a giant inflatable globe he posed with for photographs afterwards took off in the wind.
The writer and broadcaster attempted to rescue it in true Python style before he spoke of his pride at being made a Doctor of Science by the university.
He followed in the footsteps of two of his co-stars from the hit show, Terry Jones and former rector John Cleese, as he received his certificate.
Palin, 74, recognised for his contribution to geography as well as his writing and screen career, said: “It’s quite a high point in my educational life. I’m still learning and I can now add this. I will probably put it at the top of the tree, Doctor of Science at St Andrews.
“I have one or two honorary degrees but none in quite such circumstances. It has been very, very well done, they really make you feel it means something and I’m very, very thankful to the university for that.”
The ceremony, where hundreds of students graduated and an honorary degree was also conferred upon consultant surgeon David Nott, was Palin’s second time on the Younger Hall stage, having performed there in 1971 when Cleese was rector.
Presenting Palin with his award, Professor William Austin said: “As a singularly effective president of the Royal Geographical Society, he worked energetically in promoting geographical understanding and the discipline of geography in schools and universities across the UK, contributing to the subject’s surging popularity in recent years.”