Lord Lieutenant of Shetland knighted in Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Lord Lieutenant of Shetland John Scott has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Sir John, as he will now be known, was honoured thanks to his role as Lord Lieutenant, the Queen’s representative in Shetland. He is now a Knight Commander of the Victorian Order (KCVO), a personal honour bestowed by the Queen rather than a political honour, which would go through the Prime Minister.

Sir John said: “I’m a bit amazed and very pleased. As well as a personal honour it’s something I share with Shetland.”

This honour is the only one to be given to anyone in the isles and the only KCVO in Scotland.

Sir John, who lives in Bressay, has been Lord Lieutenant of Shetland since 1994 and will hold the role until his 75th birthday on 30th November.

As Lord Lieutenant he has to attend official functions such as Remembrance Sunday, organise royal visits and, importantly, go to all citizenship ceremonies. On these occasions he wears his ceremonial garb, complete with sword, and welcomes the new citizens to Shetland.

Being knighted does not carry any particular responsibilities, he said, and is keen to be simply known as “John”.