It’s been an honour

Set aside, if you can, the notion of the UK honours system as anachronistic and unfair. And forget the gongs for Samantha Cameron’s hairstylist and David Cameron’s driver. Just for a minute, anyway.

And today let’s celebrate the achievements of the many Scots who have walked on the world stage and shone; and those unsung heroes whose names we don’t know.

Close your eyes and remember the first time you saw Billy Connolly stepping across the stage, all meandering stories and big hair, and remember how you laughed.

Recall that delight in the eyes of a young person as they read Harry Potter for the first time. And think about how they might have been playing computer games if Joanne Rowling had not let her imagination pour onto the page. Pause for a minute and remember how you felt on 7 July 2013 when Andy Murray won that dramatic final game to claim the Wimbledon crown; an occasion that left so many of us glassy-eyed and awestruck that a young man from Scotland could take on the world and win. And then remember that his mother Judy doesn’t live in Monte Carlo as a tax exile, but instead drives around Scotland in a Transit van encouraging more kids to get off their backsides and play.

And think about Mel Young, the co-founder of the Big Issue in Scotland and the founder of the Homeless World Cup, who has been restless in his desire to improve the lives of those less fortunate.

The blatant cronyism of the honours system requires reform, urgent reform. But today let’s remember those who really deserve their awards and let is act as an inspiration for us all.