Prominent figures from the field of health are among those from the Highlands celebrated in His Majesty The King’s New Years Honours List today.
Former Director of Public Health and Policy Dr Tim Allison and former board vice-chair Ann (Pamela) Clark, made the list of nine Highland-based recipients to have been awarded MBEs and OBEs – in a list of 114 people from Scotland who have contributed to their community and country.
Ann Clark, a non-executive director with NHS Highland since 2017, was named as vice-chair of the health board in 2019 and served in the post until March 2025.
Having also held the the role of chair of the Mid Ross Community Partnership and chair of the Highland Health and Social Care Committee, she is being recognised for services to the NHS as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Dr Tim Allison, who retired as NHS Highland’s director of public health and policy in June after five years in the post, has been awarded an MBE for services to the NHS in Scotland.
He was previously director of public health in the East Riding of Yorkshire, working both within local government and for the NHS.
In recent years, he featured as a regular columnist for the Inverness Courier, initially to keep readers up to date on the spread of Covid and what they could do to reduce the risk to themselves and others.
He continued to write until his retirement in the summer, focusing on themes of prevention and reducing health inequalities.
NHS Highland Chief Executive Fiona Davies said: “We’re delighted that Dr Tim Allison has been recognised in this year’s honours. His commitment to working with Public Health over the years is admirable.
“He joined NHS Highland as Director of Public Health at the start of the pandemic, an incredibly challenging period for us all.
“Tim worked tirelessly and was a calm voice during what was a very difficult time. Huge congratulations to him on this honour, it is very well deserved.
“Ann was a non-executive director with NHS Highland since 2017 and became vice-chair in 2019.
“She was passionate about developing the best possible health and social care services for the people we serve in Highland, and Argyll and Bute while also being committed to creating a caring and inclusive culture for those delivering those services.
“We’re delighted that this has been recognised and would like to congratulate her on this achievement.”
Also based in Inverness, Professor Angus Watson, the clinical lead for the Scottish Capsule Programme and Clinical Chair of Surgery at the University of Aberdeen, was awarded an OBE for services to research and surgical care.
As well as working as a a colorectal surgeon at Raigmore hospital, he chairs the Global Care Foundation, research committee and runs the UK medical student skills competition, as a trustee of the charity.
In 2022, he spoke about his time in Ukraine working with medical charity UK-Med.
Further north, Frances Gunn, chair of the Flow Country World Heritage Project Steering Group, has been recognised with an MBE for services to Heritage and the community in Sutherland.
Ms Gunn, a fifth-generation crofter based in Tongue in north Sutherland, has been involved in many community projects, from building a leisure centre in Bettyhill, serving as a director and chair for Up North Community Development Trust to chairing the NorthWest 2024 community network.
As chair of the Flow Country World Heritage Project steering group, she hailed its successful bid for UNESCO status as a “a leading example of environmental responsibility and economic vitality”.
Community volunteers featured heavily throughout the list.
Annie Stewart, the chair of Keeping Nairnshire Colourful (KNC), has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Nairn.
In Sutherland, Alistair Risk (Brora) and Major Alisdair Miller (Golspie), were both recognised with MBEs for their contributions to the county, and charity, respectively.
Mr Risk, a retired hotelier, founded and has operated the East Sutherland branch of the Rotary Club for over 40 years, having helped to raise over £500,000 for causes.
Major Miller, having served 37 years in the Queens Own Highlanders and Small Arms School Corps, has been a long-time secretary and fundraiser for local charity SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Sutherland.
Financial planner Mary McFarlane was awarded an MBE for services to community care and charity.
Her firm, Mary MacFarlane Financial Planning, were recently announced as co-sponsors of next year’s Catwalk for a Cause charity fundraiser, to be held at the Drumossie Hotel on February 7.
There was also an MBE for Kingussie native John Crombie, church organist and long-time former principal teacher of music at the town’s high school.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.
“Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”
Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, said: “My warmest congratulations go to all of the Scottish recipients of His Majesty’s New Year Honours. Scots the length and breadth of the country have been recognised for their contribution to politics, business, the arts, science and to their communities.
“The list is packed with local heroes who strive every day to tackle disadvantage. I congratulate all those who work so hard day in day out to make our communities better places to live and work.”
