Ten years ago he was said to have left the Queen fuming when he designed a stamp showing her emerging from a factory chimney in a plume of smoke.
Now, however, Glasgow artist Peter Howson is set to join the ranks of the good and the great when he picks up his OBE from Buckingham Palace.
The controversial painter told The Herald he was shocked to receive the award. "I didn't think I'd ever get an OBE because of what I did with that stamp a few years back, but now I'm honoured, really chuffed," he said.
Joining Mr Howson on the honours list, published today, are a host of leading lights from across Scottish life.
Lollipop lady Lysbeth Ann Ramsay can now pin an MBE medal to her fluorescent jacket should she wish to impress her young charges.
The 45-year-old has worked outside Uplawmoor school since she was 17, and told The Herald that she enjoyed her job simply because of her love of helping the children.
Professor Duncan Rice, principal of Aberdeen University, will accept one of the highest honours in the land when he becomes a Knight of the British Empire.
His counterpart at Edinburgh Napier University, Professor Joan Stringer, was made a dame.
Colin Liddell, director of the Liddell Thomson consultancy in Glasgow, is also to receive an OBE for services to business and to charity.
Brian McAlinden, head teacher of Castlemilk High School in Glasgow, will be made a CBE for his services to education.
His work during eight years at the helm of one of Glasgow's most difficult schools earned some of the highest grades ever seen from education inspectors.
Mr McAlinden said he was "delighted" by his award, and he would continue to build on the foundations of excellence he has laid in Castlemilk.
Other Scots honoured include Scottish Ballet star Paul Liburd, made an MBE, and Nurse Judith Wilson, of Glasgow's Southern General, who receives an OBE.
Serving The Community Heritage campaigner Robert Noble has received an MBE for work spanning over 30 years. The former curator of the Highland Folk Museum said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed. It is a great honour, not just for me but for the Highland Folk Museum. It is a team effort." A lifeboat volunteer insisted he is "just one of the team" after being awarded an MBE. Robert Erskine, who is a member of the crew in the village of Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, said: "It's a great honour for me but I am just one of the team, it's great for the whole station." Aberdeenshire school janitor Ian Shand has been awarded an MBE in recognition of 30 years in the job, dealing with everything from "bleeding kneecaps to cleaning up the kids' mess". The former naval seaman said the award was "a hell of a shock". Learning disabilities campaigner Donald Stirling, from Inverness, has become an MBE for services to charity. Mr Stirling became the first person with learning disabilities to occupy a governing role at a major Scottish voluntary organisation when he joined the council of Enable Scotland. Meningitis campaigner Eileen McKiernan, a former Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year, has worked tirelessly to raise funds for research into the disease since it killed her son at the age of 17. She said: "I don't campaign to win awards like this - I do it for other reasons. I'm absolutely honoured and thrilled, though." As recognition for her work in education and the community in Ayrshire, Carol MacGruer has received an MBE. Ms MacGruer works with dyslexic learners as part of her job as the Study Coordinator at Ayr Centre College. Reverend Fiona Douglas, chaplain at the University of Dundee, has been awarded an MBE for services to higher education.
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