2 days Ago By PA
Author Sir Alexander McCall Smith is to be knighted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. He will be given the honour for services to literature, academia and charity at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday. The writer, creator of The No.
1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, has written and contributed to more than 100 books including short story collections, children’s books and specialist academic titles. The author conceived the idea of the Great Tapestry of Scotland (Katielee Arrowsmith/PA) The author, an emeritus professor of medical law at the University of Edinburgh, is also known for series including the 44 Scotland Street novels, the Isabel Dalhousie collection, and the von Igelfeld books. Now 75, he was born in what was then known as Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and made Edinburgh his home after studying there.
He conceived the idea of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, now housed in Galashiels. He is also a patron of several charities including The Eric Liddell Community, a care charity and community hub in Edinburgh. Others to be honoured on Tuesday, after being named in the King’s New Year Honours, include Paul Mealor, professor of composition at the University of Aberdeen.
He will become a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) – a gift given by the King to people who have served him or the monarchy in a personal way. Prof Mealor composed Coronation Kyrie for the King’s coronation last year and has composed music for other royal occasions ov.
