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Lorna Dawson, who has been awarded a damehood, has given evidence at the trials of Angus Sinclair, William MacDowall and Iain Packer
A forensic scientist who has helped convict some of Scotland’s most notorious killers is among the Scots who appear in the New Year Honours list. Professor Lorna Dawson, who has been awarded a damehood, is joined by a 70s popstar, a heritage kiltmaker and a former UK Government minister in being recognised by King Charles.
During the course of her career, Dame Lorna has advised on more than 150 cases and written more than 100 expert witness reports, both in the UK and abroad. She has given evidence at more than 20 cases, including the trial of Angus Sinclair who in 2014 was convicted of raping and murdering teenage girls Christine Eadie and Helen Scott in Edinburgh in 1977 in what became known as the World’s End murders.
Dame Lorna, from Aberdeen, also presented evidence at the trial of William MacDowell, who in 2022 was found guilty of murdering Renee MacRae, 36, and her three-year-old son Andrew in November 1976. And just last year, she was involved in the trial of Iain Packer, who is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 36 years after being convicted in 2024 of murdering Emma Caldwell in 2005 along with a number of sexual offences against other women.
The head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute, Dame Lorna has also spent more than three decades researching soil and plant interactions with a particular interest in how this can be used in the criminal justice system. Reflecting on the honour, she said: “I am humbled and delighted on being appointed DBE for services to the innovation and application of forensic soil science.
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“This honour recognises the power of scientific innovation, partnership, and how forensic soil science can support justice on a national and global scale. I thank in particular my family for supporting me, and the many people in organisations I have worked with to help establish forensic soil science as an accepted and invaluable discipline across the world.”
Dame Lorna said it was an “honour to be asked to work on these cases” and recalling the Sinclair case, said: “That was incredible, because the forensic scientists at the time in the 1970s had preserved that evidence that we could go back and open up that secure pot and it hadn’t been touched and it was still able to be analysed, it was incredible. I remember Helen Scott’s brother, he wrote to me after that court case and said thank you so much, we’ve been able to get closure for the family.
“These little things and the little letters that you get occasionally – that reminds you of why you do these things, but at the time you’re not influenced by it, but it does remind you afterwards, just how important it is.”
In the field of music, Eve Graham has been made an MBE for services to the music industry. The Perth native found fame as the singer with the New Seekers, who enjoyed international success with tracks like I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing and were Britain’s 1972 Eurovision entry.
Graham, their female lead singer, toured Europe and the US, even performing at Richard Nixon’s inauguration ball in 1973. Others honoured include Simon Milne, regius keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, who receives a knighthood for services to botany, conservation and horticulture, while Adam Ingram, former Labour MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, receives one for parliamentary and political service.
Sir Simon has had the title of regius keeper at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for the past 12 years and said he is honoured to receive the knighthood. He said: “It is an immense honour to be appointed a Knight Bachelor, the second in 355 years for this truly remarkable organisation.
“My interest in plants dates to the 1970s when, as a child, I helped propagate seeds brought back by my uncle from fieldwork in the Far East and volunteered on a local nature reserve. On reflection, these early experiences inspired my lifelong curiosity in nature and commitment to conservation. Receiving this award as I prepare to retire from such an extraordinary community is deeply meaningful.”
Sir Adam, who stood down as an MP in 2010, served as Northern Ireland security minister from 1997-2001 and as armed forces minister from 2001-2007. When he stood down from that post in 2007, he had been the longest-serving defence minister in the history of the Ministry of Defence.
Other Scots honoured in the list include Lady Rae, a senior judge and lawyer, who has been made a CBE for services to the law, charity and education in Scotland. Professor Sue Rigby, principal of Edinburgh Napier University, becomes a CBE for services to higher education.
Two officials at National Records Scotland are also recognised. Dr Alan Borthwick and Dr David Brown, who has since left the organisation, have been made MBEs in recognition of their work to return stolen documents from the national archives.
Dr Borthwick said: “The letter with the offer of the honour was a genuine surprise. I was very happy to accept. It’s a tribute to the work of many of my current and former colleagues who supported David and I in checking the collections that might have been affected by the historical thefts.”
Dr Brown said: “I was surprised and delighted to receive this honour. It was quite unexpected, and I am very grateful for it. I am very conscious that it also represents recognition of the work of many other colleagues in resolving this historical theft issue.”
Marion Foster, founder of the College of Master Kilt Tailors, has been made an MBE for services to Scottish craftsmanship. She said: “When I received the letter, I was stunned, it brought tears to my eyes, and I kept rereading it. It was confidential so I have had to keep the news to myself.
“The award has given me a refreshed and profound belief in the vision of the College of Master Kilt Tailors and a boost for me to keep going, by delivering and developing the online training programme resulting in master kilt tailors with the only endorsed and approved certification in the UK (possibly the world). This programme represents the culmination of my experience and knowledge, a living archive of skills and traditions that I hoped to pass on to the next generation of craftsmen.”
She said the MBE is a “stepping stone to ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage where the unique identity of Scottish craftsmanship would be celebrated and preserved for generations to come.”
Scots-based Royal Navy soldier Ashta ‘Ash’ McMillan has been given an MBE for helping coordinate relief efforts in his home island of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. He was visiting the country in 2024 when Hurricane Beryl swept through, killing eight people and causing £170 million worth of damage.
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