Highlanders named in New Year Honours list for services to the community and music
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The founder of a centre which helps people across the Highlands suffering arthritic and neurological conditions is among those named in the New Year Honours list.
Dr Malcolm Monteith Steven, a founder and trustee of the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool Charity, is awarded an MBE for his services to the community in the Highlands and Islands.
Dr Steven, of Inverness, is one of two Highland men named in the honours list which recognises the incredible public service of individuals from across the UK.
The Puffin Pool is based in Ferry Road, Dingwall, and began as an idea by interested clinicians working with arthritis patients in the Highlands.
Dr Steven was chairman of the Puffin Pool Board from its initiation in 1992 until 2018.
The use of hydrotherapy at the pool not only helps people with a range of conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, stroke, cerebral palsy, it can also speed up rehabilitation after injuries and operations.
Donald Armstrong, of Castle Street. Dingwall, is also named in the New Year Honours.
He receives a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music and the community.
Mr Armstrong, who will be 90 next month, has been a member of the Dingwall Pipe Band for 55 years and is treasurer of the Dingwall Fire Brigade Community Group which carries out charitable work in the town.
Mr Armstrong played at the town's Armistice Day ceremony in November – but said that would probably mark his final performance.
He also taught piping at primary schools from 1996 but gave up due to covid restrictions.
He said he was surprised to receive an award.
"I feel very honoured to be singled out," he said. "To my mind there are lots of other people who have done far more with less recognition."
He and his wife, Anne, have a son and two daughters. Their youngest daughter died of cancer.
William George Robertson, executive chairman Robertson group, receives a knighthood for services to the construction industry and to charity in Scotland.
Recipients in the New Year Honours List have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all parts of the UK for their work on areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Those recognised in The New Year’s Honours list have made exceptional contributions to communities across Scotland and beyond.
"These Honours are particularly poignant as they are the first to be awarded since the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, who reigned for over 70 years.
"The service and dedication of our successes, from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science has helped to promote Scotland all over the world and benefited people throughout society.
"I also want to extend my congratulations to those personnel who have been awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals.
"Our emergency services have displayed incredible fortitude throughout the pandemic, and deserve our continued appreciation for keeping people and communities across Scotland safe, every day of the year."
