Still Game stars 'Isa and Tam' receive honorary degrees

Jane, who grew up in the city's King's Park, joined Springboig-born actor Mark at the Usher Hall in the capital today where they were granted the title Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa.

The pair are best known for their roles in the hit BBC comedy with Jane portraying Shieldinch busybody Isa Drennan and Mark becoming a hit with fans for his tight-fisted character Tam Mullen. 

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They were honoured for the memorable contribution they have made to the cultural life of Scotland and during the ceremony, the duo went on to entertain the audience with their comedy banter, whilst regaling them with tales of their experiences on stage and screen, and their student days studying acting at Queen Margaret.  

Both Jane and Mark also played numerous roles in the Scottish sketch show Chewin the Fat which ran between 1999 and 2005.

Jane had TV success in Rab C. Nesbitt and as childminder Granny Murray in the BBC Two and Cbeebies hit programme Me too!

In addition, she trained as a drama teacher and inspired many school pupils to develop their creative performance talents.

Mark has also had many parts in much-loved TV programmes including Shetland, Rebus, Outlander and Scots Squad, and together with Jane they set up their own business hosting corporate events, which has seen them stage Burns Suppers as far afield as the British Embassy Garden in Abu Dhabi. 

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They were joined by Dame Prue Leith, chancellor of the university, and Mostafa Salameh, who was brought up as a refugee in Kuwait. Mostafa was the first Arab to climb Mount Everest from its southside, and is one of only ten people in the world to have completed the ‘Explorer’s Grand Slam’.

The Grand Slam challenge involved reaching the summits of the highest mountains of each of the seven continents including Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro and Dinali in Alaska as well as conquering the North and South Poles. After conquering Everest in 2008, Mostafa skied Greenland from south to north, becoming one of seven in the world to do so.

While Paul Ewing, an actor, voice artist, presenter, producer, singer, songwriter, and music composer also received recognition. He had early success as a children’s presenter, working on over 250 children’s shows for the BBC in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Sir Paul Grice, principal of Queen Margaret University, said: "We are delighted that, today, our students have the opportunity to learn about the careers of actors and creatives, Jane McCarry, Mark Cox and Paul Ewing, and the adventurer, mountaineer and charity fundraiser, Mostafa Salameh.

"We are inspired by Jane, Mark and Paul’s outstanding creativity and their endless ability to engage and entertain.

"Mostafa’s passion for social justice, and his commitment to improving the lives of the disadvantaged, reflects QMU’s values. Mostafa dared to dream, and what followed was, and continues to be, extraordinary.

"We are truly honoured to have such exceptional individuals at graduation and we are delighted recognise their impressive achievements with honorary degrees.”