A Glasgow-based panto director has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Robert Fyfe, honorary president of Runway Theatre Company, has received a Medal of the Order of the British Empire for services to the arts and to the community in the city.

Glasgow Times:

Mr Fyfe retired this year after 40 years with Runway Theatre Company - with 27 of them as chairman and director.

Originally called the Glasgow Airport Drama Club, the amateur dramatics company, now based in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, has been running for more than 50 years and performs traditional pantomimes as well as rare, new and lesser known musicals.

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Mr Fyfe said: “I am honoured to receive this award for my involvement in amateur theatre, particularly with Runway Theatre Company.

“It has been a joy over the years to combine my passion for the arts while helping to raise funds for causes close to my heart.

“This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of a dedicated community of volunteers.”

Glasgow Times:

Others within the Scottish arts community have received similar royal honours, including Alex Reedijk - general director of Scottish Opera - who has become an OBE for his services to the performing arts in Scotland.

Mr Reedijk is the longest serving general director in the history of Scottish Opera, having joined the company in 2006.

Mr Reedijk said: “I have been so lucky to have been part of the rich cultural life in Scotland over the past 35 years, principally with Scottish Opera as its general director since 2006 but also as part of the team at Assembly Theatre in the Edinburgh Festival, Mayfest, and more recently with the Citizens Theatre and the Beacon Arts Centre.

“Success in any field of endeavour but especially the arts require three key ingredients: very hard graft, passion and being able to work with amazing people who are all equally determined, talented and creative every day. Many thanks to you all.”

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Scottish Opera said Mr Reedijk has also helped the company remain a “trailblazer” in community arts engagement with programmes including its Primary Schools Tour, which has so far reached more than 250,000 children in the arts across all 32 Scottish local authority areas.

He has also overseen an array of new initiatives for young people, and for people living with dementia, including what is said to be the world’s first dementia friendly opera performances in 2016.

Glasgow Times:

Author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series, also received the high honour of being knighted for his services to literature, academia and charity.

Sir Alexander said he feels “most honoured” about the recognition.