By CATRIONA STEWART

GLASGOW’S very own Big Yin Billy Connolly has been given a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in a landmark year that will see him hit the milestone age of 75.

The Scots comedian and actor becomes a Sir in recognition of his services to entertainment and charity.

The accolade - handed out in the centenary year of the Order of the British Empire - comes 14 years after he was made a CBE in 2003.

The gong represents a high point in a notable year for the star, as he turns 75 in November. He has already been the subject of an ITV special celebrating his career this year and had three giant murals erected in his honour in his native city.

There is also recognition for a number of well-known faces in Scotland, including JK Rowling, Judy Murray and Emeli Sande.

Harry Potter author Rowling, who was made an OBE in 2001, now becomes a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in light of her services to literature and philanthropy.

The latest honour comes days before fans of her boy wizard creation mark 20 years since Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone was first published. The Potter stories went on to captivate a worldwide audience and become the best-selling book series in history.

Her charitable contribution is also significant. She set up Volant, a charitable trust which supports projects that alleviate social deprivation, and founded Lumos, a charity working to transform the lives of institutionalised children.

Judy Murray adds to the honours already handed to her family by becoming an OBE.

The tennis coach and former captain of Great Britain’s Fed Cup team is being recognised for her work to grow the sport and for encouraging more women into sport.

Her son, world number one Sir Andy Murray, was knighted in the New Year Honours List, while his brother Jamie was made an OBE last year.

For her services to music, singer and songwriter Emily Sande is made an MBE.

Brit Award winner Emily, who was raised in Aberdeenshire and went to Glasgow University, found huge success with her debut album Our Version Of Events in 2012 and went on to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics.

Actress Julie Walters was made a dame in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Gone With The Wind star and Oscar-winner Olivia de Havilland, who turns 101 next month, is the oldest woman to become a dame in this centenary year of the modern-day honours system.

Those honoured from the world of entertainment include chart-topper Ed Sheeran and comedian David Walliams, with the honours committee describing the list as the most diverse yet.

In a break with tradition, the Queen’s Civilian Gallantry List has been released at the same time as the monarch’s birthday honours.

Police Constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death by attacker Khalid Masood in March on the forecourt of the Palace of Westminster, is posthumously awarded the George Medal for confronting an armed terrorist to protect others and Parliament.

Twenty years after he was knighted by the Queen, Sir Paul McCartney is upgraded with a Companion of Honour for services to music.

Veteran actor June Whitfield has been made a dame for services to entertainment respectively.

Television presenter Gloria Hunniford, who lost her daughter Caron Keating to cancer, gets an OBE for services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support.

Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire and Miranda actress Patricia Hodge both receive OBEs for services to drama.