Two headteachers, a family support teacher and a former president of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Leslie Manson, Orkney’s executive director of education, leisure and housing, has been appointed MBE for services to Scottish education and the community, as was Moira McArthur, headteacher of Sandaig Primary in Glasgow.

The same honour was conferred on Lynn McCafferty, headteacher of Brucehill Early Education and Childcare Centre in West Dunbartonshire, and Tracey Berry, family support teacher at Forthview Primary in Edinburgh.

Mr Manson began his career as a teacher at Papdale Primary in Orkney, becoming education director in 1998.

In 2010, Sandaig celebrated the best report from HMIE for a Glasgow primary. Inspectors described the quality of “leadership for learning” shown by its headteacher and depute as “outstanding”.

Also honoured was Rory Mair, chief executive of the local authority umbrella body, Cosla, who was appointed OBE for services to local government.

Professor Ian Diamond, principal of the University of Aberdeen, was knighted for his services to social science and higher education, while Professor Pamela Gillies, principal of Glasgow Caledonian University, was appointed CBE for services to education and public health.

Edinburgh physicist Professor Peter Higgs, after whom the Higgs boson particle is named, was made a Companion of Honour. The recognition confers no title but is restricted to a select group of 65.

And violinist Nicola Benedetti, who has worked tirelessly with Sistema Scotland, was appointed MBE for her services to music and charity.

emma.seith@tess.co.uk.