Stephen House leads Scotland's Birthday Honours list

Stephen House is the chief constable of Police Scotland which replaced the country's eight previous forces from April this year.

Glasgow-born Mr House said: "I am very pleased at this award and the recognition for policing in Scotland. I would particularly like to thank my family for the continuing support they have given me over the years."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the honour was well deserved with the police chief respected not just in Scotland, but across the UK

He was previously the chief constable of the largest force, Strathclyde, and at one stage in 2011 was a contender to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

He is joined as a knight by Edinburgh International Festival director Jonathan Mills.

Sydney-born Mr Mills, who holds dual citizenship because his grandfather was Scottish, said he feared the worse when a letter marked urgent arrived at his home and was opened by his partner, while he was down under.

A number was passed on for him to contact, he was not told what it was all about.

He said: "A letter came and I had to sort of scramble a bit. It was opened because I was away for some while and it said 'urgent', and I thought 'what have I done wrong?' I kept missing people and calling them and finally I got hold of a very nice lady in the office that deals with these things and had a chat with her."

He added: "The people I work with deserve this honour as much as I do. I feel very proud the festival has remained relevant and has remained important."

A total of 103 people in Scotland are recognised for their achievements in the Birthday Honours - the highest number since 2003.

Golfer Paul Lawrie said he was "thrilled" to be awared an OBE, adding to his earlier CBE. But he believes the award is due to the tireless work by his wife, Marian, and others involved in his charity, the Paul Lawrie Foundation. It aims to help aspiring golfers.

A spokesman said: "He wants to pay tribute to his wife Marian and everyone who has assisted the foundation over the years.

"He is personally thrilled to be honoured - but it’s very much for the foundation, he couldn’t have done it alone."

The 44-year-old former Open winner and victorious European Ryder Cup team member, is currently playing in the US Open.

Comic writer film producer Mark Millar, who is originally from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, said he was starting to feel "very respectable" after picking up a MBE for services to literature and drama, the graphic novelist, originally from Coatbridge in Lanarkshire has written for publications such as 2000AD, Superman, and X-Men. His own creation, Kick-Ass, was turned into a feature film in 2011.

He said: "These kind of honours you usually see going to other people, so its nice. I got an honorary doctorate last year so I am starting to feel very respectable. I want my kids to write MBE on my father's day card."

Others who received honours include Margaret Campbell, the sub- postmistress on Vatersay in the Western Isles. She was appointed MBE for her services to the postal service and the community.

She said: "I did not expect this and I'm very pleased. It was all a bit of a surprise."

Moira Andrew, of Scone, Perthshire, was made an MBE for services to the Reduction of Domestic Abuse, with Fiona Birse made an MBE for her work with young people in Elgin

Other Scots who have been recognised for their contribution to public life are microbiologist, Professor Hugh Pennington, and John Carnochan, the anti-violence campaigner who has worked on improving safety and life chances of young men, particularly in the west of Scotland.

The Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at Aberdeen University received a CBE for his services to microbiology and food hygiene. Mr Carnochan, the former head of the police National Violence Reduction Unit, was awarded an OBE for his services to community safety.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell was awarded the Order of the Companions of Honour for his public and political service.

He said: "This has come out of the blue."

Former Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie, who resigned the job in 2005 after controversy over his taxi expense claims, is honoured with a CBE.

The Tory MSP said he thought it was "recognition of my perseverance if nothing else."

Elsewhere, Skyfall singer Adele received an MBE while Blackadder star Tony Robinson will take home a knighthood, with his co-star Rowan Atkinson also to receive an honour.

Adele, 25, adds her accolade to Brit Awards, Grammys, and most recently an Oscar for her James Bond song.

Sports presenter Clare Balding, widely praised for her coverage of London's Olympic and Paralympic Games, receives an OBE. Singer and broadcaster Aled Jones, 42, has also been awarded a MBE and said he was deeply honoured.

Singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, actor, director and playwright David Haig and comedian Rob Brydon will also collect MBEs at Buckingham Palace later this summer.