HELENSBURGH Advertiser columnist Ruth Wishart was presented with an honorary doctorate by the Open University on Saturday in recognition of a lifetime's work in writing and journalism.

Ruth was one of several figures from the worlds of the arts and charity honoured at the university's graduation ceremony in Edinburgh.

Others honoured included musician Edwyn Collins, who found fame as the founder of Orange Juice and went on to have a UK top 10 solo hit with 'A Girl Like You' in 1994, and Andy Scott, creator of the stunning Kelpies sculptures near Falkirk.

Maria Macnamara, founder of the charity Smalls for All, also received an award alongside hundreds of new OU graduates at the celebration at the Usher Hall.

Ruth, who has written for The Herald, the Scotsman and the Guardian and held senior editorial positions on several other Scottish newspapers, has also presented numerous BBC programmes on Radio Scotland and Radio 4.

She said: "Having gone into journalism straight from school - when most of my friends went to university - the lack of a degree was always a regret.

"Then, in my 50s, I took the plunge and signed up to an OU humanities course.

“Getting that degree, having that second chance, was absolutely wonderful.

"Being honoured subsequently by my alma mater with this Doctorate is a source of enormous pride.”