Lifesaving heroes were recognised for their bravery at the fourth St Andrew’s Day Awards in Edinburgh.
Among those honoured were Errol friends Ross Geddes and Liam Stewart who saved the life of a woman in Perth and Temporary Inspector Roy Giles, right, of Cellardyke, who rescued a man from drowning off the coast of Anstruther.
Also receiving an award from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was volunteer lifeboat helmsman Barry Gourlay, of Anstruther, who saved two men before their stricken vessel foundered in heavy seas.
Other heroes honoured were Glasgow ambulance care assistants Elaine Giles and Ronald McLaren, who rescued two brothers before their car burst into flames.
Mr MacAskill, who presented the awards at Edinburgh’s Surgeons’ Hall, said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to meet such a brave group of people.
“We must never forget how privileged we are to have such dedicated emergency professionals and members of the public, willing to assist even when their own lives are in danger. It is fitting that those who show such extraordinary courage and commitment to public safety should be honoured in this way.”
While driving to work, Mr Geddes, 21, and Mr Stewart, 24, saw a woman climb over the railings on Queen’s Bridge in Perth. They reached her just as she started to fall and despite her violent struggling, they held on to her until police arrived.
Mr Giles, 50, was nominated by Police Scotland. In May last year, he went to the aid of a man who had walked into the sea at Anstruther Harbour. On seeing the man swim further out to sea and disappear below the water, Mr Giles swam after him.
Mr Gourlay, 32, was nominated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. In August last year, he guided two men into a lifeboat after their boat was driven onto rocks and started to break up.