Sammi Kinghorn among SRUC Honours recipients
Sammi Kinghorn, the Paralympian and Countryfile presenter, has been named an Honorary Fellow of SRUC.
The 30-year-old from the Scottish Borders, who was paralysed below the waist in a farm accident when she was a teenager, is among those to be honoured for their lasting impact on agriculture, rural communities, education and industry.
Sammi is being honoured at this year’s SRUC graduation ceremonies alongside contemporary chef Lorna McNee, internationally renowned livestock parasitologist Dr Philip Skuce, and Charlie Rollason, who helped develop AGCO’s land-based engineering apprenticeship programme.
While Dr Philip Skuce and Mr Charlie Rollason attended the ceremonies, Sammi and Lorna were unable to be present following the recent births of their daughters.
Sammi Kinghorn has won multiple medals in wheelchair racing, including gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Alongside her sporting success, she has become a familiar face on BBC’s Countryfile, helping bring the stories of farming, food production and rural communities to a national audience.
Her advocacy for greater accessibility in the countryside, combined with her continuing connection to agriculture, has made her a powerful ambassador for rural Scotland and an inspiration to people across the UK.
Dr Philip Skuce, Principal Research Scientist at the Moredun Research Institute, has been recognised with an Honorary Professorship for his internationally respected research into livestock parasites and sustainable disease control.
With more than three decades of experience, his work has transformed understanding of liver fluke, gastrointestinal parasites and anthelmintic resistance in cattle and sheep, helping improve livestock health while supporting more sustainable farming systems. His long-standing collaboration with SRUC has strengthened research partnerships, postgraduate supervision and knowledge exchange, while his leadership within Scotland’s Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions (SEFARI) has helped shape national policy and industry practice.
Charlie Rollason, Manager of the Global Centre of Excellence UK & Ireland at AGCO, receives an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his leadership in developing the machinery manufacturer’s land-based engineering apprenticeship programme in partnership with SRUC.
Since launching the programme in 2022, he has built a UK-wide network of college partners, expanded apprenticeship opportunities, and secured significant investment in modern teaching equipment, training materials and staff development. His work has helped strengthen engineering education at SRUC Barony while supporting recruitment into the agricultural engineering profession.
Lorna McNee, Executive Chef of Cail Bruich and one of Scotland’s leading contemporary chefs, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Scottish food culture and her role in championing the farmers, growers and producers who underpin Scotland’s rural economy.
Lorna built her career at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie before gaining national recognition through awards including Scottish Chef of the Year and the BBC’s Great British Menu. Through her culinary leadership and public profile, she has helped raise awareness of Scotland’s food culture and the importance of sustainable primary production, making a significant contribution to the values and ambitions that SRUC promotes.
Sammi Kinghorn OBE: “Getting this Fellowship means a lot to me. I do my sport because I’m passionate about it, and I’m part of farming because I’m passionate about that too. Being part of the farming community is like being part of one big family. I live in a small community in the Borders, where farmers come together to support each other, and that's one of the beautiful things about farming.
“When I had my accident, the farming community rallied around my family. Farmers came to help my dad and lent a hand when it was needed most. That support has always stayed with me. Life can be very short or very long, so don’t spend it doing something you don’t enjoy.”
Dr Philip Skuce said: “I am very honoured to receive this recognition from SRUC, an organisation I hold in very high regard. I have had the privilege of collaborating with SRUC colleagues over the years on initiatives in support of sustainable livestock production. I have also worked closely with the SAC Farm Advisory Service and SRUC Veterinary Services on various outreach and knowledge exchange activities. I look forward to continuing and strengthening these links and collaborations as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Charlie Rollason said: “I am genuinely flattered and delighted to receive an Honorary Fellowship from SRUC for contributions to Agriculture. For my entire career I have been working in and around Agriculture and this is a reward that means a terrific amount to me. Now in the twilight of my career, it feels like this meritorious award from the highly respected academic institution, SRUC, is closing a circle on my achievements. I am truly proud!”
Lorna McNee said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this Honorary Fellowship. I’ve always believed that great cooking begins long before it reaches the kitchen - with the dedication, skill and passion of Scotland’s farmers, fishers and foragers. Championing our natural larder and building strong relationships with primary producers has been at the heart of everything I do. To be recognised for promoting Scottish cuisine, sustainability and provenance by an institution whose values align so closely with my own is something I am immensely proud of. I hope this recognition continues to highlight the importance of supporting our rural communities and celebrating the exceptional produce that Scotland has to offer.”
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “These honorary awards recognise three exceptional individuals whose achievements demonstrate the breadth of impact that education, research and partnership can have on rural Scotland and beyond.
“Their achievements and leadership reflect the values that underpin our mission, and we look forward to working with them to inspire our students, support innovation and strengthen the future of Scotland’s rural, agricultural and food sectors.”
The honorary awards were presented at this year’s SRUC’s graduation ceremonies in Glasgow.
Posted by SRUC on 27/08/2026
