18th May 12 
TOURISM CONTRIBUTION . . . Alasdair Houston of the Gretna Green Group with the New Year Honours List in which he becomes an MBE
MBE for border tourism firm chief
New Year honours come to south west Scotland
SEVERAL Dumfries and Galloway people have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Among them is well-known border farmer and businessman Alasdair Houston, executive chairman and managing director of Gretna Green Group, who receives the MBE for services to tourism.
He has overseen the continued growth of the family-run visitor attraction which is one of the Gretna area’s largest employers.
At the heart of the enterprise is the World Famous Blacksmith’s Shop and associated attractions while the near-by Smiths Hotel, opened by the company five years ago at a cost of £5 million, has won a string of awards.
Another Dumfriesshire man also becomes an MBE for services to the British armed forces.
Ken Maclachlan, who lives near Dumfries, worked tirelessly to assist ex-service men and women in his role for many years as secretary of SSAFA Forces Help in the area.
He previously worked with P&O Ferries and served in the merchant navy.
A well-known figure in local law circles, Honorary Sheriff Johan Findlay, becomes an OBE for her services to the administration of justice.
The Lochmaben area resident has also been a JP and served on the Parole Board for Scotland and written a respected history book on Scotland’s Justice of the Peace system.
A Stewartry man who has 32 years service in the Royal Navy has been awarded an OBE.
Commander Andrew Carnegie Stewart, who left the area more than 30 years, has been in charge of the Navy Command HQ Manpower Operations team.
Commander Stewart also served on the Royal Yacht for a number of years and was an executive officer of HMS Collingwood which is the lead establishment of the Maritime Warfare School (MWS) and the largest naval training organisation in Western Europe.
He was brought up in the Castle Douglas area where he attended school and his father lives at Hardgate, Haugh of Urr.
Commander Stewart and his wife Ann are considering moving back to the South West later.
Further west, Murray Irving, from Drummore, Wigtownshire, receives an MBE for services to his community.
Do you know of an honour recipient elsewhere in the UK or overseas with Dumfries and Galloway, Liddesdale or Cumbrian Border Country connections?
If so, please email details to newsdesk@dngonline.co.uk
NEWSDESK: 01461-202417
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