This year's Order of the Thistle ceremony will have a strong University of Aberdeen connection, with the institution's Pro-Chancellor conducting the ceremony, an esteemed alumnus being installed as a knight, and the proceedings' music composed by a University Professor of Music.
The Order of the Thistle is the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland, recognising sixteen Knights with the highest honour in the country and recognises Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life.
The ceremony will be presided over by the Dean of the Thistle, Very Rev Professor Iain R Torrance TD DD FRSE who is Pro-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen. Professor Torrance, who is also Dean of the Chapel Royal was created Knight Bachelor for services to Higher Education and Theology by Her Majesty the Queen at the Palace of Holyrood House earlier this week.
Among the music to be performed during the ceremony is a new setting of “If Ye Love Me” by Professor Paul Mealor, Professor of Music at the University.
One of the two new Knights of the Thistle to be installed at the ceremony is the influential global businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood who graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1964 with a first class degree in Psychology and in 1984 was given an honorary LLD by the University.
Sir Ian was awarded a Knight Grand Cross of the Order in the British Empire in 2016.
The ceremony will be held in St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Friday July 6.
The incoming Principal of the University of Aberdeen, Professor George Boyne said: “It is wonderful to see such a strong University of Aberdeen connection to this historic and prestigious event.
“With the Very Rev Professor Torrance presiding and music from Professor Mealor it is sure to be a memorable ceremony.
“The award is an excellent way to honour Sir Ian Wood for his tremendous work in business, public life and philanthropy, and on behalf of the University of Aberdeen I’d like to offer him our warmest congratulations.”