Chancellor’s medal
The highest award presented by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
2024 - Emeritus Professor Neil Simco
Emeritus Professor Neil Simco, who retired in 2024 as UHI’s Deputy Principal Academic and Research, received the Chancellor's medal in recognition of his contributions to UHI’s research, tertiary education strategies, and Gaelic language initiatives.
Beginning his career as a primary school teacher, Neil transitioned into university lecturing, research, and ultimately, senior leadership, serving two universities with distinction over the past two decades. At UHI, Neil held corporate responsibility for all aspects of tertiary education—encompassing both further and higher education, as well as the university’s research and knowledge exchange activities.
Neil’s role encompassed the development and implementation of UHI’s research and tertiary education strategies, along with executive oversight of a wide range of academic functions across the institution, including UHI’s islands’ strategy and the development and delivery of UHI’s Gaelic language plan, reflecting his long-standing passion for the Gaelic language and culture.
Neil’s contributions to the UHI partnership, its students, and communities are immeasurable. He leaves us with a strong and lasting legacy that is highly respected by colleagues and stakeholders across our UHI regions and worldwide.
2022 - Professor Frank Rennie
Professor Frank Rennie has been an integral part of UHI for more than 30 years. He started working with UHI Outer Hebrides as an external consultant in 1992, before taking up a research and teaching post in 1993.
A Professor of Sustainable Rural Development, his research interests focussed on rural and community development studies, particularly the impact information and communication technology and online learning systems have on rural communities. He is a founding president of the Scottish Crofters Union and a pioneer in the use of online education.
Professor Rennie wrote one of UHI’s most innovative degrees, the BSc (Hons) in sustainable development. The programme was UHI’s first ‘networked degree’, with a team of lecturers delivering the same lesson content to students across multiple campus sites.
He has also assisted universities in developing countries around the world.
Professor Rennie has been awarded the Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the development of UHI.
2018 - John Norman MacLeod
John Norman MacLeod was presented with the Chancellor’s medal by university chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at the Highland Theological College UHI graduation ceremony on the 5 July 2018.
A native of Skye, John Norman taught history at Plockton High School before being appointed lecturer in Gaidhealtachd Studies (Highlands and Islands Studies) in 1983 at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI and subsequently was promoted to head of studies in 1987. Since 1998 he has acted as co-ordinator for the Gaelic and related studies scheme, which includes the Gaelic undergraduate and post-graduate provision, and was a subject network leader for Gaelic and other contemporary languages from 2003 - 2010. John Norman retired in July 2018 as director of studies and vice-principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI.
John Norman has been an active member of various university committees - humanities and Gaelic faculty executive, Gaelic committee, academic planning committee and the learning, teaching and quality committee. He was a member of the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI board of management team and chaired a number of academic committees at the college. He is currently a member of the Scottish Government’s excellence group for Gaelic.
2016 - Dr Hamish MacInnes OBE
Dr Hamish MacInnes was presented with the Chancellor’s medal by university chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at the Perth College UHI graduation and University of the Highlands and Islands Foundation Day 2016.
Dr MacInnes, known as the ‘father of Scottish mountain rescue’, was awarded the University of the Highlands and Islands Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of his services to the development of mountaineering and mountain rescue. With a career spanning more than six decades, he achieved several first ascents and is credited with pioneering modern mountain rescue. He founded the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in 1961, the Search and Rescue Dog Association in 1965 and co-founded the Scottish Avalanche Information Service in 1988.
Dr MacInnes was nominated for the Chancellor’s Medal by West Highland College UHI which delivers the university’s adventure tourism management and adventure performance and coaching BA (Hons) degrees. Speaking about his award, Dr MacInnes said: “It is indeed an honour to be here today to receive this award and I find it quite humbling. To be in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, a true friend of Scotland, makes it a very special occasion.”
2013 - Professor James M Fraser MA, MEd, FRSA
Professor James Fraser was presented with the Chancellor’s medal by university chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at the West Highland College UHI graduation and University of the Highlands and Islands Foundation Day 2013.
Prof Fraser was involved in the creation of three Scottish universities over the course of his career. He was a pupil at Plockton High School before going on to the University of Edinburgh where he graduated in mental philosophy. He also gained a Master of Education degree from the University of Stirling.
Prof Fraser began his career as an English and liberal studies lecturer at the former Inverness Technical College, then moved into senior management roles at the University of Stirling, Queen Margaret College (now Queen Margaret University) and the University of Paisley (now the University of the West of Scotland). He also served on the Highland Regional Council Education Committee as a further education teacher member.
Prof Fraser joined UHI Millennium Institute as Secretary in 2002 and became deputy principal in 2007. On the retirement of Prof Robert Cormack in 2009, he became principal of UHI Millennium Institute. He subsequently led the higher education institute to university title and so became the first principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands in February 2011. Prof Fraser retired from the university in December 2013.