TWO prominent Borderers were honoured by the Queen yesterday at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Former Scotland rugby international and MND campaigner Doddie Weir was among the recipients of an OBE.

And John Davidson, who has tirelessly campaigned on behalf of Tourette's sufferers, was awarded an MBE.

A "very proud" Mr Weir said that his OBE was testament to all those who have helped "on my journey to find the ultimate cure" for the disease.

"It's been a beautiful day here at Holyrood Palace receiving that award in front of the Queen," he said.

The 48-year-old former lock, capped 61 times for his country, revealed in 2017 that he had the terminal illness and set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation to raise funds for research and provide grants to help those affected by MND.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Weir said: "It's been amazing but I have to admit that I've got to thank so many hundreds of thousands of people who have helped me on the journey to try and find a cure for MND, because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.

"So thanks to them and thanks to my family. It's been an amazing day so far."

Mr Weir, who was joined by his wife Kathy and their three sons Hamish, Ben and Angus, at the ceremony in Edinburgh, said that receiving the OBE was "certainly up there" among his life highlights and that he would be taking his wife and children out to drink champagne and "enjoy life and worry about tomorrow when it comes".

Renowned for wearing vibrant tartan, he unveiled a new suit for the occasion and said: "This is the Holyrood Diamond Jubilee Tartan, so very special, very unique, very themed as well and first time on today.

"Every time I put this tartan on I'll have a lot of lovely memories."

Tourette's syndrome campaigner John Davidson, who became famous following a 1989 BBC documentary about his life called John's Not Mad, became an MBE.

And Her Majesty confessed to the Galashiels caretaker that she is looking for ward to watching the breakthrough television show which brought Tourette's into millions of living rooms.

John, who was accompanied to the ceremony by his sister Caroline and family friends Chris and Dorothy Achenbach, told us: "It was a fantastic experience and one that I won't forget.

"After the Queen pinned on my medal we had a wee blether.

"She praised me on all of the work I've done for Tourette's and said that she is looking forward to watching the documentaries I've been in.

"I was a little anxious about my tics at the ceremony as I was nervous, but nobody was phased and I ended up really enjoying myself."

The 47-year-old has featured in several television documentaries over the past three decades and become an ambassador and spokesman for Tourette's organisations across the country.

John added: "This award wasn't just for me, but also for all of the people with Tourette's up and down the country.

"When I was a boy Tourette's was laughed at but now it's accepted - we've come a long way."