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Former Scotsman editor honoured with CBE

A former editor of Scottish daily The Scotsman has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List.

Magnus Linklater was editor of the title for six years from 1988 before going on to work for The Times and later becoming its Scotland editor.

He was at the helm of The Scotsman during the Lockerbie bombing and said his time at the paper was one of the highlights of his career.

Magnus was given the award for services to the arts and media in Scotland, which also recognises his role as chairman of the Scottish Arts Council from 1996 to 2001.

He told The Scotsman: “I think it is one of the greatest jobs in journalism. As a Scot and as a journalist, it was the pinnacle of my career.

“There were some huge stories during that time, including the Lockerbie bombing in my first year as editor. That story has stayed with me ever since.

“It was a total surprise and I hadn’t expected it at all. I am absolutely delighted to have received this award.

“It is equally, I think, a huge honour to have been living in Scotland over the past 25 years at a time of such significant political and constitutional change.

“Therefore, to have been a part of journalism during that time has been a great thrill and a great pleasure.”

Magnus has written for a number of national newspapers since begininning his career in the 1960s and still contributes to titles on a freelance basis.

Also recognised in the New Year Honours List was Sunday Times foreign correspondent Christina Lamb, who was appointed an OBE for services to journalism.