A FORMER NHS chief executive has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Gaelic choral music.

Kenneth Thomson, 72, was awarded the honour on behalf of the Queen by Glasgow's Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren in her role as Lord Lieutenant at the City Chambers on Wednesday. 

Kenneth, who is originally from Campbeltown, received the BEM in recognition of his work as volunteer conductor of the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association. 

Glasgow Times:

The former Chief Executive of Yorkhill NHS Trust and Law Hospital NHS Trust said: "This is wonderful.

"I received an email out of the blue and one of the most difficult things I had to do was keep schtum.

"This is just for doing something I really love doing.

"I fell into it really it was pure chance.

"I’d just gone along to help the choir out at the Mod. I started off singing and then became musical conductor - without a musical  qualification to my name."

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The Lord Lieutenant said: "Kenneth’s commitment as volunteer conductor of the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association has deservingly been recognised.

"It’s one of Scotland’s oldest Gaelic Choirs and Kenneth’s passion and musical talent has sealed its reputation as a world-class.

"It’s a double celebration really because I’ve heard, his granddaughter Anna, who’s here today, has just been appointed Head Girl at St Columba’s, Kilmacolm."

The choir's musical highlights include lifting the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine Trophy at the Royal National Mod, performing at Proms in the Park with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra and helping launch dedicated Gaelic language television channel - BBC Alba – with the choir’s recording of ‘Canan Nan Gaidheal’.