The Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

Established in 1988, the Fletcher of Saltoun Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to Scottish Culture and The Arts, Science and Public Life. The Awards celebrate the legacy of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, a seventeenth century Scottish writer, politician, activist and a keen patron of the Arts during his lifetime.

These Awards are unique among our programme as all Fletcher nominations are made by our membership and a panel of Saltire Trustees come together to select the final winners from each category. These Awards directly reflect the interests of our members and their wide range of interests and specialisms from across Scotland and around the world. 

The Society is proud to have recognised the work of pioneers in many sectors of Scottish life. Previous awardees include actress Dolina Maclennen, former First Minister Donald Dewar, Forensic Anthropologist Dame Prof. Sue Black, performer and activist Annie Lennox, director of the NERC Satellite Receiving Station Steve Parkes, and writer George Mackay Brown. 

The History of the Awards

In 2014 the Awards were reformatted to select recipients in the categories of contribution to Science, Arts and Humanities, and Public Life. The Fletcher Awards are unique in their format, as Saltire Society members nominate individuals who they have seen as going above and beyond in their contributions to Scottish life. The winners are then selected by the Society Trustees, who have a keen eye for exceptional work.

About Andrew Fletcher 

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun was a Scottish writer, politician and soldier. He was a Commissioner of the old Parliament of Scotland and is remembered as the leading opponent of the 1707 Act of Union between Scotland and England and an advocate of the Darién scheme, he also introduced agricultural improvements to Scotland.

He wrote several important essays on political, economic and social questions. He was also the first in Europe to argue for a European association of the nation states. Sir Walter Scott referred to him as one of the most accomplished men, and best patriots whom Scotland has produced in any age." He was long known in Scotland as "The Patriot". 

The Saltire Society Commemorates Andrew Fletcher annual through a commemorative lecture held at Parliament.

Fletcher Lecture

The Saltire Society holds an annual lecture at the Scottish Parliament to commemorate Andrew Fletcher. Previous speakers have included Professor Tom Devine, Leslie Riddoch and David Daiches.

Andrew Fletcher lived an eventful life in the late 1600 and early 1700s as an advocate for democracy, patron of the Arts and spokesperson for agriculture and farming. You can find out more about him here and in Arthur L. Herman’ s How the Scots Invented the Modern World. 

 2019

The Saltire Society Honour Scotland’s Greatest Contributors at Prestigious Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

On Saturday 21 September, Saltire Society members invited the public to celebrate the contributions of four of Scotland’s most influential citizens, working for the benefit of Scotland at large.

The Awards were this year hosted in Aberdeen’s historic Maritime Museum and were awarded to Aileen Christianson, writer and academic, Di Gilpin, knitwear designer and innovator, Jan Clarkson, Dental healthcare researcher, and Steve Parkes, Director of Dundee University’s Space Technology Centre.

 Di Gilpin, Steve Parkes and Jan Clarkson 

Sarah Mason, Programme Director of the Saltire Society, said:

We are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs   of Scotland and recognise the impact they have. Since 1936 the Society has tirelessly to ensure Scottish culture is recognised, lived and fought for.  The 30 years the Fletcher Awards have been running has seen over 50 people recognised and we are pleased to see Aileen Christianson, Di Gilpin, Jan Clarkson and Steve Parkes recognised in 2019.

The Fletcher of Saltoun Awards, established in 1988, honour the innovative and culture-shaping work in the fields of Science, Arts and Humanities and Public Life. The Fletcher of Saltoun Awards take nominations from the Saltire Society membership so as to welcome nominations from all over the country for those whose work may go largely unrecognised.

The recipients are:

Aileen Christianson has been a valued member of the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh for many years as well as an indispensable part of the editorial team of the Carlyle Letters project which is now nearing publication of volume 46. Aileen has for years been responsible for teaching and propagating knowledge of Scottish writers, particularly women writers, and her work on Willa Muir was the product of years of research and has been very positively received. Her teaching has been inspirational for generations of those meeting writers for the first time who might otherwise have passed unnoticed.

Di Gilpin is an outstanding designer-maker in the fields of Scottish wool production, fashion design and hand knitted garment construction.  Her reputation for excellence means she is sought after by designers world-wide. Her fine wool, stocked in the UK, Netherlands, Austria, California, Virginia and Maryland USA, carries these words on each label, ‘Proudly made in Scotland.’ Di Gilpin’s innovative designs and top quality production have earned her commissions from couture houses all over the world.  Her garments are presented on the catwalk by top UK, European and Canadian designers, including at London Fashion Week.Di Gilpin has made, and continues to make an outstanding contribution to Scotland’s reputation throughout the world for innovation, hard work, intelligence and superb craftsmanship.

'I wish to express my gratitude to the Saltire Society for  the Fletcher of Saltoun Award in the field of Arts and Humanities for 2019. It was a huge surprise to learn that I had received the award and an extraordinary and overwhelming  honour to find myself in such exalted company.Special thanks to my friends and family for their patience, endurance and support and above all to thank Shiela Greenwell without whom little of this would have been achieved.’ Di Gilpin

Jan Clarkson is a Fellow in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, a Fellow in Dental Surgery Paediatric Dentistry and Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. Much of Professor Clarkson’s research is embedded in service and education delivery. The outcome has informed changes to Scotland’s dental remuneration policy, contributed to NICE and SIGN guideline development, provided evidence of the effect of change to national postgraduate education policy and informed methodological debates in Randomised Controlled Trial design. She was Principal Investigator of the only implementation trial of dental remuneration and education, the first cluster versus patient randomised trial, a UK evaluation of the impact of changes in the dental service contract and the first US-funded Cochrane Systematic Reviews.

'I am very excited about sharing with others the work done by the Saltire Society and its aims and visions. I am delighted that dentistry has been honoured in this way.' Jan Clarkson

Steve Parkes is the technical leader of ESA's SpaceWire working group and is the author of the ECSS E50-12A SpaceWire standard. Dr Parkes is also the director of the NERC Satellite Receiving Station and the Managing Director of STAR-Dundee, a University of Dundee spin-out company which provides services and equipment to support organisations using SpaceWire for space applications. Dr Parkes was Principal Engineer - Matra Marconi Space / BAe Space Systems from 1988 to 1995 where he was the technical authority on digital signal and image processing for spacecraft instruments. He was also from 1982 to 1988 the Research and Development Manager for Geodata Systems Ltd where he was responsible for the development of a range of competitive underwater acoustic navigation and telemetry systems.

'The Saltire Society does an incredible job of promoting Scottish culture and achievements. I work with other engineers and scientists across the world. The results of our work go out into space, monitoring and protecting the Earth, providing communications, exploring other planets in the solar system and reaching out in support of scientific curiosity across the Universe. It is an honour for my work on spacecraft technology to be recognise by the Society.' Steve Parkes

All photographs by Graham Clark 

The 2018 Fletcher of Saltoun Awards were presented at the Saltire Society in Edinburgh on Saturday 22 September. Four Scots were awarded in recognition of their contribution to Scotland in the arts and humanities, sciences and Scottish public life:

For contribution to Arts and Humanities: Karine Polwart, awarded for her contributions to music, both singing and powerful song writing.

During the past 15 years, Karine Polwart has emerged as one of Scotland’s most popular folk singers and thoughtful contemporary songwriters. Her skills as a writer lie in combining intimate stories, often centred on women and families, with sharp social and political observation. Sources as diverse as Donald Trump and ancient bird lore, parental grief and sex trafficking, infuse her songs with a sense of human resilience and reek of memory and history. She is a four times winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, twice for Best Original Song, and was the inaugural winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Her most recent album Traces was shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. A former member of Malinky, The Battlefield Band, macAlias and The Burns Unit, her musical career as a touring and recording artist has encompassed also community song, university level teaching, animation soundtracks and thematic collaborative projects. During 2015 she wrote with Greek Cypriot songwriter and composer Alkinoos Ioannidis and for awardwinning theatre company Puppetstate.

Her career highlights include an invitation to sing at at the opening session of the Scottish Parliament in 2011. She has been outspoken in support of numerous political causes, including anti-nuclear campaigns and mental health issues, and was vocal in encouraging participation and discussion around the Scottish Independence referendum. Her career as a musician follows seven years of face to face and policy development work within the Scottish Women’s Aid movement in the field of children’s rights and domestic abuse, as well as a spell as a university and community-based philosophy tutor (she has an MPhil in Philosophical Inquiry). She lives in Pathhead, Midlothian, where she shares her love of story and song with her two young children.

More information at: www.karinepolwart.com

For contribution to Scottish Public Life: Fiona Duncan, awarded for her valuable contributions to life in Scotland.

Fiona is CEO of the Corra Foundation, formerly the Lloyds TSB Scotland Foundation.

In that capacity she has steered the foundation through a difficult and litigious split from Lloyds Bank which is no longer prepared to provide financial support. In addition she has developed the foundation beyond its origins as a grant giving charity (providing grants of £3000 to £40,000 to small charities) to a proactive charity working with other charities on targeted programmes to counter drugs and to locate social workers in neglected areas such as West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire etc All of this activity depends on a motivated and hard-working team developed in recent years.

At the personal request of senior ministers in the Scottish Government, Fiona is also heading up the Care Review – an in-depth review of childcare in Scotland. To do this she has been seconded from the Corra Foundation for 50% of her time. The review, which is set to last for two years, has involved going out to talk to over 60 children in care across the country to seek their views, as well as those of carers, social workers and government

departments.

In addition to that, Fiona runs the Kilfinan Group, which provides mentors to the heads of charities in Scotland. There are chapters in the East and West of the country and over thirty mentors.

The heads of charities are often under pressure from trustees, beneficiaries and staff and the ability to talk to an independent and experienced mentor can be invaluable. Fiona uses exceptional personal skills to match mentors and mentees and then organises regular meetings of mentors to exchange information and receive updates on regulation etc.

In summary, Fiona Duncan is an exceptional and inspiring individual who is making an

immensely valuable contribution to life in Scotland.

For contribution to Science: Professor Graham Watt CBE FRSE, awarded for his distinguished career in public health and general practice.

Graham Watt has had a very distinguished career in both public health and general practice, mostly spent at the University of Glasgow. A distinguishing feature of all his work has been a concern for social justice, especially for the most socio-economically deprived people of Scotland. That theme runs throughout his academic career.

A decade ago, he founded the Deep End movement, to describe the challenges of GPs and their teams looking after these most deprived populations, and to develop professional support for the GPs and better resourcing for the people living in these areas. They suffer from problems of poor housing and intergenerational poverty, as well as educational challenges and drug and alcohol problems. Life expectancy, and also healthy life expectancy, is some 20 years below that of the most privileged Scots.

Recently this important Scottish initiative has been emulated in other deprived areas, including Liverpool and Dublin. It is well described in the website below.

Professor Watt is both an important academic in the tradition of the democratic intellect,

and a major figure in Scottish, UK and international medicine.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/healthwellbeing/staff/grahamwatt/#/biography,g

rants

For contribution to Science: Chris van der Kuyl, awarded for his entrepreneurial work and commitments to encouraging enterprise education.

Chris van der Kuyl is a highly experienced Chief Executive and Non-Executive Director whose expertise combines the start-up, development and market listed business arena in the technology, media and entertainment sectors. He grew his first business, VIS entertainment plc ("VIS"), out of a bedroom in Dundee to become a global player in the creation of leadingedge entertainment property for computer, television and video games platforms worldwide. Through the development of VIS, as CEO and President, he took the business through substantive growth. Chris is currently Chief Executive Officer of Brightsolid Limited (formerly Scotland On Line), one of the country's Internet pioneers. He is also Chairman of the Tayforth group which has interests in Video Games development, Technology and Intellectual Property; Chairman of 4J Studios a next generation video game development studio. Chris is widely recognised as one of the UK's the leading entrepreneurs. Chris is a member of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow Programme at the World Economic Forum.

Chris is fully committed to building the next generation of business people by encouraging enterprise education in Schools, Colleges and Universities. He was Chairman of Young Enterprise Scotland and is a member of the Smith Group advising the Scottish Executive on educational matters. As one of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Chris sits as a member of the Scottish Scientific Advisory committee who advise the Scottish government on all areas of science and technology.Chris also Chairs the Creative board of the Education Wing at Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and is a Director of Dundee Science Centre.

The 2017 Fletcher of Saltoun Awards were presented at the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre on Saturday September 16th. Three Scots were awarded in recognition of their contribution to Scotland in the arts and humanities, sciences and Scottish public life:

Arts and Humanities - Sir James MacMillian

MacMillan studied composition at the University of Edinburgh and at Durham University, where he gained a PhD degree in 1987. He was a lecturer in music at the Victoria University of Manchester from 1986-1988. After his studies, MacMillan returned to Scotland, composing prolifically, and becoming Associate Composer with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, often working on education projects. He came to the attention of the classical establishment with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's premiere of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie. The work's international acclaim spurred more high-profile commissions, including a percussion concerto for Evelyn Glennie, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel. Further successes have included his second opera The Sacrifice, which won a Royal Philharmonic Society Award. He was awarded the British Composer Award for Liturgical Music, for his Strathclyde Motets, in 2008. MacMillan was composer and conductor with the BBC Philharmonic from 2000 to 2009, following which he took up a position as principal guest conductor with his collaboration with Michael Symmons Roberts is ongoing, with his second opera, The Sacrifice, being premiered by Welsh National Opera in 2007. He is an Honorary Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, patron of St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh, of the London Oratory School Schola Cantorum and he has recently been appointed patron of The British Art Music Series. He was appointed a CBE in 2004. In 2008, he became Honorary Patron of London Chamber Orchestra's LCO New: He also serves as the Honorary President of the Bearsden Choir.

Science: Hugh Gill

Hugh's most prominent contribution has been in developing the partial and full hand multi articulating prosthetics products for Touch Bionics of Livingston. This has revolutionised the capability of those who lose a hand. Hugh joined Touch Bionics in 2007 and has significantly advanced the company and product originally conceived by founder David Gow. During this time Hugh has achieved 9 patents. The engineering behind this is now at the front end of high technology - encompassing robotics, wireless communication, i-phone apps, advanced myoelectric sensors that pick up microvolt signals from muscles beneath the skin, and the covering, or cosmesis, for durability, appearance and elasticity, a major materials advance. Over 4000 patients have been fitted with i-limb hands and over 500 partial hand patients. Hugh has led the technological developments creating a major impact on many patients throughout the world.  Earlier in his career, Hugh had sole responsibility for structural integrity of the channel tunnel machine to withstand full overburden mass of 100ft of water and 100ft of soil. Hugh then joined Burroughs and later Unisys. During this time Hugh designed a high speed document optical and magnetic reader and achieved 2 successful patents. At Polaroid, Hugh developed a business called Wideblue which spun out in 2006 with Hugh being the Director of Design and Operations. Whist working at Polaroid, Hugh also co-founded Dream Maker Ltd to exploit a modular drumstick with patented technology, winning the John Logie Baird Award for innovation.

Public Life: Annie Lennox

Although Annie Lennox would be a more than credible nominee for the Arts category, she has been given the Award for Public Life becuase rather than using her fame to promote herself or to lead an indulgent lifestyle, she has from the earliest days of her fame worked for campaigns of public responsibility. Since the late 1980s, for example, she has campaigned for AIDS awareness. As recently as 2007 she established the SING campaign, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in South Africa, work for which Bishop Desmond Tutu has particularly praised her. And she has regularly taken part in benefit concerts for sufferers.

As a result of her work she has been nominated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador She is a long-term supporter of Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the Red Cross. She is a model of a philanthropic tradition in Scottish public life which perceives personal wealth and fame not as a personal property, but as a means to seek to benefit others less well-off than oneself.

2016 Saltire Society AGM with The Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

The 2016 Fletcher of Saltoun Awards were presented at two ceremonies in Inverness and Aberdeen in recognition of contribution to Scotland in the arts and humanities, sciences and Scottish public life.

2016 Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science

Dame Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell

  Dame Jocelyn made one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of the 20th century when she detected the first radio pulsar.

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Prof. Ian Brown

Speaking on receiving this award, Dame Jocelyn said:I am delighted, surprised and honoured by your decision – thank you very much. I have great pleasure in accepting.

2016 Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Humanities

John Byrne

John Byrne & Prof. Les Mitchell

Described as the first postmodern poet from Paisley, artist and playwright John Byrne said on recieving his award:

I am delighted to accept your prestigious Fletcher of Saltire Award 2016 and deeply honoured into the bargain. I plan to continue with a vengence!

2016 Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life

John Angus Mackay

L to R: John Angus Mackay, Lord Provist George Adam,

Dame Evelyn Glennie, Prof. Alan Riach

On receiving his award, John Angus Mackay said:

I am very pleased and deeply honoured to receive the Fletcher of Saltoun Award from the Saltire Society. In particular, I would like to accept it not only on my own behalf, but in recognition of the advice, encouragement, support and friendship that I have had from many people along the way  - not only in Scotland but internationally. Gaelic language and culture has contributed to Scottish life, and the wider world, for many years, and I have been privileged to have the opportunity to ensure the continuity of that contribution through engaging with communities and changing institutional perspectives and behaviours. I am very grateful to the Saltire Society for recognising that.

2016 Fletcher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Humanities

Dame Evelyn Glennie

Commenting on receiving the award, Dame Evelyn said:

A huge thank you for awarding me the Fletcher Award for Arts and Humanities. This is a huge surprise and honour for me and I think as with all awards or moments of recognition, it just allows me to pause, and reflect, to look back and to also think where am I now, and to also look forward.

I feel very proud to have had my education in Aberdeenshire, where that seed of curiosity towards the arts, and in particular music in my case, was very, very strong indeed and that sense of journey and faith I suppose really gave me the impetus to pursue music as a profession.

So thank you very, very much indeed and please keep up the wonderful work you do that affects so many of us.

2015 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

Four Scots honoured for their ‘unique’ contributions to Scottish society

Four leading Scots have been honoured for their unique contribution to Scotland’s culture and society at a special ceremony at St. Mungo’s Museum in Glasgow. The four individuals each received the 2015 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun award in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the fields of science, the arts and public life.

Established in 1988, the Fletcher of Saltoun award forms part of the Saltire Society’s annual awards programme and seeks to recognise outstanding contributions to Scottish society across different walks of life. The award celebrates the legacy of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, a seventeenth century Scottish writer and politician and a keen patron of the arts during his lifetime.

Last year’s winners included Dr Ann Matheson, for her work with the Scottish Poetry Library and as a champion of Scotland’s literary culture, Sir Chris Hoy as the UK’s most successful Olympic cyclist of all time and Professor Sue Black in recognition of her work as Director of Dundee University’s Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification.

Prof Alison Michie collecting the Award on Tessa's behalf.

This year’s recipients include leading cancer researcher Professor Tessa Holyoake and Gaelic and English language poet and songwriter Aonghas MacNeacail alongside landscape painter James Morrison and Andrew Kerr, a lifelong supporter of and leading campaigner for the Scottish arts and conservation.

Tessa Holyoake is a Professor of Experimental Haematology at the Institute of Cancer Sciences in Glasgow and a globally recognised specialist in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). She received the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award in recognition of her contribution to science.

Commenting on receiving the award, Professor Holyoake said:

“It is a real honour to have been recognised in this unique way and I think it is a great tribute to the outstanding work of everyone working at the Institute of Cancer Sciences. Over the past 12 years, that hard work has really put Glasgow on the map as a centre of global excellence in the fight against cancer. I am very proud of everything we have achieved so far but equally ambitious about what we want to achieve in the future.”

Aonghas MacNeacail

Aonghas MacNeacail is a Scottish poet and songwriter who has contributed significantly to the Scottish cultural stage. A native Gael, his works have been published in a number of languages across the world and he broadcasts regularly on radio and television. Reacting to his award, Aonghas said:

“I am really honoured to receive this very special award. Hopefully it will spur me on to even bigger and better things in the future. It’s really humbling to join so many other talented individuals who have received a Fletcher of Saltoun award in years gone by.”

James Morrison

The second arts and humanities recipient, James Morrison, is a celebrated Scottish painter whose early works depicted large, dark Glasgow tenement buildings. He quickly developed a love for capturing the beauty of Scottish landscapes, painting outside wherever possible. He has travelled widely throughout his career, painting in the Arctic and Africa.  James commented:

“Scotland’s landscape and heritage has always been a unique inspiration to me. So it’s particularly pleasing to be presented with this uniquely Scottish award. I’m equally pleased for my fellow recipients this year who are all worthy winners.”

Andrew Kerr

The recipient of the award for contributions to Scottish public life is Andrew Kerr.  Andrew was secretary of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for 35 years, which led to many other positions in the arts, at local and national level.  He has also been deeply involved in the conservation of historic buildings.  After being presented with the award, Andrew said:

“I am delighted and honoured to receive the Fletcher of Saltoun award this year.  I was very fortunate in the opportunities which came my way during my life in legal practice, and it has been a privilege to have been able to make things happen from time to time, over a wide spectrum of Scottish cultural life”.

Nominations for the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun award are made by the Saltire Society Council. Last year, the Council decided to broaden the scope of the award to include three distinct categories with the aim of recognising a wider range of achievements and engaging wider public interest. This year, the number of winners was extended from three to four with two separate individuals both receiving an award in recognition of their particular contribution to the Arts and Humanities.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Saltire Society convenor Prof. Ian Brown said:  

“Once again this year, we were delighted to be able to honour four outstanding individuals, each of whom has made a unique and special contribution to Scottish culture and society. Through these awards, we always strive to give recognition to those particularly talented and driven people who help to make Scottish culture and society as vibrant and stimulating as it so clearly is today – as well as achieving wider recognition for Scotland on an international stage.”

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Commemorative Lecture

2015 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Lecture

sponsored by Linda Fabiani MSP

'Andrew Fletcher, Revolution

and the disappearing pathways to modern Scotland'

given by

Professor Christopher Whatley

The 2015 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Lecture took place on Monday 29th September at the Scottish Parliament The Burns Room, from 6.00 p.m.

2014 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

Professor Sue Black, Sir Chris Hoy and Dr Ann Matheson honoured for their contribution to Scottish culture

Leading international scientist Professor Sue Black, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and celebrated Academic Dr Ann Matheson have been named as this 2014’s winners of the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award.

Established in 1988, the award celebrates the legacy of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, often remembered as one of Scotland’s true patriots, by recognising significant contributions made to Scottish culture.

Previous recipients include Tom Fleming, Donald Dewar, George Davie, Dolinna MacLennan, Robin Jenkins, George Mackay Brown and in 2013, William McIlvanney.

Nominations for the award are made by the Saltire Society Council who this year decided to broaden the scope to now include three different categories and thus three awards so as to recognise a wider range of achievements and to engage wider public interest. These categories are: Arts and Humanities, Public Life and Science.

 The categories for the 2014 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award are:

• Arts And Humanities – awarded to Dr Ann Matheson, member of the Board of the Scottish Poetry Library, for her lengthy and continued championing of Scotland’s literary and linguistic culture;

• Public Life – awarded to Great Britain’s most successful Olympian and most successful Olympic cyclist of all time, Sir Chris Hoy and;

• Science – awarded to Professor Sue Black, Director of Dundee University's Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification.

The ceremony took place at an intimate reception at Edinburgh’s City Chambers on Saturday afternoon where winners were presented with a bespoke award by Convenor of the Saltire Society, David Ward.

Commenting on the Saltire Society Council’s selection Mr Ward said:

“As a Council, we are thrilled to have been able to award one of our most prestigious accolades to three undisputable Ambassadors of Scottish culture.

“This year in particular Scotland finds itself in a spotlight on the world’s stage and we felt it appropriate that we should honour as wide a range of achievements as possible in order to truly be able to reflect the rich and varied cultural heritage that Scotland has to offer and that we support.

“2014’s Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award recipients do that and more with their remarkable achievements highlighting some modern day examples of Scottish achievement.”

2014 award recipient Professor Sue Black of Dundee University said:

“It is both an honour and a privilege to be selected as a recipient for this award, particularly when I see the calibre of fellow recipients past and present.

“I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to the Saltire Society Council for electing to bestow this honour on me.”

Commenting on her award, Dr Ann Matheson said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Fletcher of Saltoun Award from the Saltire Society. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to be associated with Scotland’s literary culture, past and present, and with all those who work so steadfastly on its behalf, during an inspiring period in the nation’s history.”

2013 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

William McIlvanney awarded the 2013 Saltire Society Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award.

The Society’s Council was unanimous in their support for the award noting McIlvanney’s particular contribution to Scottish literature, inspiring and influencing new generations of Scottish writers, and enthralling and entertaining readers in Scotland and internationally. As a previous winner of the Saltire Book of the Year Award for his novel ‘The Kiln’ our recognition of his achievements is long standing.

2012 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Awards

Dolin Maclennan awarded Saltire Society Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award 2012.

The Saltire Society awarded the 2012 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award to Dolina MacLennan in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Scotland's life and culture. The presentation was made on 30th August at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh from 5.30pm as part of an evening of song, poetry and celebration. Alan Macdonald, composed the piece 'Doli's Saltire' in honour of Dolina and was premiered at the ceremony. Poet Angus Peter Campbell, made tribute to Dolina and all that she has accheived. Angus Peter also gave a reading.

The Award was presented to Dolina by the Soceity's President Magnus Linklater. The formal ceremony was completed with performances from aclaimed singers Kathleen MacInnes and Cathal McConnell. Dolina said of her award: I am most honored to receive this award from the Saltire Society in particular for the recognition of my contribution to the promotion of the Gaelic language. I hope I may have helped towards the current resurgence of interest in Gaelic both amongst learners and those who value and support the language as a vital part of Scotland’s diverse culture.

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Commemorative Lecture

Professor Thomas M. Devine OBE, BA, PhD, DLitt, HonD Univ (Strathclyde, 2006), Hon DLitt (Queen's, Belfast, 2001), Hon DLitt (Abertay, Dundee, 2001), FRHistS, FRSE, Hon MRIA, FBA.

Professor Devine is currently Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography, Director of the Scottish Centre of Diaspora Studies at Edinburgh University. Before election to the Fraser Chair, Tom Devine held Professorships at Strathclyde, where he was also Vice Principal, and Aberdeen, as Director of the AHRC Centre in Irish and Scottish Studies. He is the author or editor of some three dozen books on a range of themes, including empire, emigration, immigration, transatlantic commerce, slavery, sectarianism, urban elites and rural society in Highlands and Lowlands.

The Lectured Darien: a Scottish disaster revisited

The failure of the expeditions to Darien in the 1690s is presented as one of the great Scottish disasters of all time with ruinous economic consequences for the nation and helping to trigger the series of events which ultimately led to the Anglo-Scottish Union of 1707. In the words of one eminent historian of Scotland, the enterprise can be dismissed as 'a tragic farce'. This lecture will challenge this orthodoxy (recently confirmed in the 2010 Edinburgh Festival play by the National Theatre of Scotland) by seeking to present a different perspective on this dramatic story.

For contribution to Science: Chris van der Kuyl, awarded for his entrepreneurial work and commitments to encouraging enterprise education.

Chris van der Kuyl is a highly experienced Chief Executive and Non-Executive Director whose expertise combines the start-up, development and market listed business arena in the technology, media and entertainment sectors. He grew his first business, VIS entertainment plc ("VIS"), out of a bedroom in Dundee to become a global player in the creation of leadingedge entertainment property for computer, television and video games platforms worldwide. Through the development of VIS, as CEO and President, he took the business through substantive growth. Chris is currently Chief Executive Officer of Brightsolid Limited (formerly Scotland On Line), one of the country's Internet pioneers. He is also Chairman of the Tayforth group which has interests in Video Games development, Technology and Intellectual Property; Chairman of 4J Studios a next generation video game development studio. Chris is widely recognised as one of the UK's the leading entrepreneurs. Chris is a member of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow Programme at the World Economic Forum.

Chris is fully committed to building the next generation of business people by encouraging enterprise education in Schools, Colleges and Universities. He was Chairman of Young Enterprise Scotland and is a member of the Smith Group advising the Scottish Executive on educational matters. As one of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Chris sits as a member of the Scottish Scientific Advisory committee who advise the Scottish government on all areas of science and technology.Chris also Chairs the Creative board of the Education Wing at Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and is a Director of Dundee Science Centre.

All photos by Ryan McGoverne Photography