The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
British Empire Medal for delighted’ Beaumont
Scots who have made a big difference in all walks of life honoured by the Queen in New Year list
Dundee University rector Mark Beaumont has received a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List.
The cyclist and adventurer has been honoured for services to sport broadcasting and charity.
This year he set a new record for cycling around the world.
Inspired by Jules Verne, he set himself the challenge of circumnavigating the globe in 80 days but managed to complete his epic journey in just 78 days, 14 hours 40 minutes.
Educated at Dundee High School, he is a graduate of Glasgow University.
He was awarded an honorary degree from Dundee University in 2012 and was elected rector in 2016.
Mark, 34, said the award had come as a “massive surprise”.
He said: “I got a letter through the post a couple of weeks ago but this sort of public recognition wasn’t on my radar. I’m absolutely delighted.”
Mark said he will spend the first few months of 2018 completing his book and documentary about his round the world cycle but said he is planning more adventures for later in the year.
Meanwhile, Game Of Thrones star James Cosmo is among the high-profile Scots included in the list, which also sees elections expert Professor John Curtice knighted.
The 64-year-old politics professor from Strathclyde University is well known to the public from his media and television work on polls and elections.
His exit poll in June’s snap election revealed Theresa May was set to lose her Commons majority, despite the Tories having had a massive lead in the polls over Labour when the contest started – prompting some to suggest the psephologist was the real winner in the ballot.
Born in Cornwall, he studied at Oxford, and as well as his post at Strathclyde he is a senior research fellow at NatCen Social Research – Britain’s largest independent social research agency – and president of the British Polling Council.
Sir John said he never expected the honour but was “truly grateful”.
The academic said: “Just six months ago the exit poll I led surprised everyone with a shock prediction that went on to be uncannily accurate. Now it is my turn to be surprised, and humbled, by the gracious decision to grant me a knighthood.”
The same honour is going to the Very Rev Professor Iain Torrance, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland who has been Pro-Chancellor of Aberdeen University since 2013.
A former Territorial Army chaplain, during his time as moderator in 2004 he visited every British unit serving in Southern Iraq.
His inclusion is recognition of his services to higher education and theology.
Meanwhile, veteran Scots actor Cosmo is honoured with an MBE for services to drama, having starred in films including Braveheart, Trainspotting and Highlander.
More recently he has appeared in the hit show Game Of Thrones and was one of the housemates in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson has been awarded a CBE for her services to political and public life.
Also honoured is Lady Susan Rice, the chairwoman of Scottish Water and the Scottish Fiscal Commission.
She now becomes Dame Susan in recognition of her services to business, the arts and charity.
Economics expert Professor David Bell of Stirling University is awarded a CBE, with the same honour also going to former Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Jim Martin and Ben Thomson, a former chairman of the National Galleries of Scotland who also set up the thinktank Reform Scotland.
Dr Lesley Sawers, the equality and human rights commissioner for Scotland, is honoured with an OBE, while David Duke, the founder and chief executive of Street Soccer Scotland, which uses football training programmes to help people make positive changes, receives an MBE.
The same award also goes to James Robson, the long-standing doctor to the Scotland national rugby team, and Los Angeles-based entertainment correspondent Ross King.
The Scot can be seen on ITV morning shows Daybreak and Lorraine.