Three men who are regularly called to save people in distress in some of the most remote and treacherous parts of Scotland have been included on this year’s list.
Two mountain rescuers and a coastguard volunteer are among those receiving honours today.
Jonathan Hart, former chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland and a volunteer at Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, has been made an OBE.
As a keen winter climber, the 55-year-old from Achnacarry, near Spean Bridge, moved to the area in 1990 to take advantage of its rugged landscapes.
Soon after he realised he could sign up as a mountain rescuer and use his passion to help others.
He said: “My main motivation is the fact that, as a winter climber, you gain a skill set that you can share with anyone else who gets into difficulty.
“There aren’t many emergency services that can go to these places in horrendous blizzards and support people.”
In 2002, Mr Hart was awarded a scholarship which let him train in more advanced rescue techniques in the US.
He has since brought this knowledge back to Lochaber – where he works alongside a team he feels is “extended family,” including his partner Emma – other organisations in Scotland and as far afield as Spain and Austria.
He said: “I’ve come to realise the area has some of the most technically challenging rescues in the world, and Lochaber just quietly gets on with it and I’m proud to be part of this team.
“While just one person is being recognised, this is an award for the whole team.”
Elsewhere Alistair Livingston, a volunteer with Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team, was given a British Empire Medal for his work.
And further south, 65-year-old Aberdeen mountain rescuer Mario Di Maio has been made an MBE for his life-saving efforts.
Since signing up for the organisation at 17, he has been on more than 400 call-outs, including the 1971 Cairngorm Plateau Disaster and the Ben Macdui fighter jet crash in 2001.
He said: “I don’t think if you’d asked that 17-year-old where he’d be in 49 years, he’d have said Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team.
“But I quickly became really passionate about it and, as a result, it has been the backdrop to most of my adult life.”
He added: “Without wishing to sound too humble, this award really represents the work of a body people far greater than just me.
“It’s a mountain rescue team for a rescue – it can’t rely on just individuals.”