Former BBC Scotland News presenter Jackie Bird has been awarded her MBE by the Princess Royal during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The 63-year-old broadcaster, who served as the face of Reporting Scotland for over three decades, received the honour in recognition of her contributions to broadcasting and charitable causes.
The veteran journalist, who has held the position of president at the National Trust for Scotland since 2022, also hosted the BBC Scotland Children In Need programme for several years throughout her distinguished career.
Bird expressed her delight upon learning of the award, stating: “I’m thrilled. Absolutely surprised and thrilled.”
Jackie Bird was awarded an MBE by Princess Anne
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Her first role was at DC Thomson’s Jackie magazine, where she eventually rose to become pop editor.
The aspiring journalist subsequently gained experience across multiple media platforms, working at Radio Clyde and The Sun newspaper.
She also spent time at Television South Maidstone before making the move that would define her career.
In October 1989, Bird joined BBC Scotland, embarking on what would become a three-decade tenure as one of the corporation’s most prominent Scottish presenters.
During her time as Reporting Scotland’s lead presenter, Bird reported on some of the most significant events in recent Scottish history.
She covered the devastating Lockerbie bombing of 1988 and the tragic Dunblane school shootings in 1996, bringing these harrowing stories into Scottish homes.
Jackie Bird was left “absolutely stunned” by the MBE
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Bird was also central to the BBC’s political coverage during pivotal moments for the nation’s constitutional future.
She led reporting on the 1997 devolution referendum, which paved the way for the Scottish Parliament, and was equally prominent during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
These landmark events cemented her reputation as a trusted voice during moments of national importance throughout her broadcasting career.
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Beyond her news presenting duties, Bird became a fixture of Scottish television’s annual calendar, fronting the BBC’s Hogmanay celebrations and the World Pipe Band contest.
Her hosting of BBC Scotland’s Children In Need broadcasts further demonstrated her versatility as a presenter across different programme formats.
After three decades at the helm of Scottish news broadcasting, Bird stepped away from presenting duties in April 2019.
Jackie Bird was honoured for her efforts towards broadcasting and charitable causes
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However, she has remained active in public life, taking on the presidency of the National Trust for Scotland in 2022.
This role continues her longstanding commitment to charitable and cultural causes that contributed to her MBE recognition alongside her broadcasting achievements.