2013 Honorary Fellowships

Paul Lawrie OBE, LLD (RGU)

Paul Lawrie OBE is an Aberdeen-born golfer whose professional career started in 1986. He won The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999, has played in two Ryder Cups and has won eight European Tour titles.

Mr Lawrie is passionate about encouraging and supporting junior golfers. He set up the Paul Lawrie Foundation in 2001 and the organisation has since taught thousands of young people to play golf and has expanded to include numerous other sports.

Mr Lawrie was awarded an MBE in 2000 and an OBE in 2013 for voluntary service to golf.

Professor Matthew MacIver CBE, MA, MEd, Dhc(Abdn), DEd(Edin), FEIS, FRSA

Lewis-born Professor Matthew MacIver is one of Scotland’s most distinguished public servants and Gaelic champions.

He was rector of both Fortrose Academy and the Royal High School in Edinburgh and has chaired the Highlands and Islands Educational Trust since 1994. He is also the former chair of Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig and retired chief executive and registrar of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Professor MacIver’s most recent appointment is to be the UK independent member on the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Professor MacIver was given an honorary professorship by the University in 2008 and was appointed as its Chair of the Court in 2009. His services to education were honoured with a CBE in 2008.

Sandra Murray MBE, CertEd, DA

Sandra Murray is an internationally renowned artist couturier based in Inverness. Born on the Island of Lewis, she is a native Gaelic speaker.

She graduated with a Diploma in drawing and painting from Glasgow School of Art in 1974 and has since specialised in making bespoke clothes for private clientele. Her contemporary designs are inspired by her roots in the Hebrides and she has become an ambassador for Scottish textiles, recognised by her unique signature of embellishing traditional wools and tartans.

Mrs Murray’s work has showcased in London, New York and Tokyo and, in 1999, she was commissioned by Her Majesty the Queen to design her piece for the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

In 2009, Mrs Murray was awarded the MBE for services to Scottish fashion and textiles.

Jack Watson, Chair of the University of the Highlands and Islands Development Trust

Mr Watson has worked in the fields of business and politics most of his life. He is a former physics and maths teacher, an ex-hotelier and also ran his own consultancy in public and private finance.

Mr Watson has played an important part in the University of the Highlands and Islands. He was chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, a member of Foundation and also served on the Finance and General Purposes Committee of North Highland College UHI. He recently become chair of the University of the Highlands and Islands Development Trust.

In addition to his involvement with the university, Mr Watson has also served on numerous local and national bodies and committees. He was chair of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise, a member of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and a number of political think tanks and, was until recently, chair of a Durness sheep farm and sporting enterprise.

David Green, former principal of Lews Castle College UHI

He was recognised at the Lews Castle College UHI graduation, where he was awarded an honorary fellowship for his commitment to the college and services to the University of the Highlands and Islands.

He played a major role in creating the University of the Highlands and Islands. He saw this work as completely complementary to his job as principal of Lews Castle College and shared the vision of a university where students could attend through their local college, helping to break the tradition of students leaving their communities for higher education.

David’s award come in the year of Lews Castle College UHI’s diamond anniversary.