GLASGOW grans are the greatest. And last night at an emotional Oscars style ceremony in the opulent surrounds of Glasgow City Chambers' Banqueting Hall, they proved it as they picked up the 46th Scotswoman of the Year 2008.

By SHEILA HAMILTON and MAUREEN ELLISGLASGOW grans are the greatest. And last night at an emotional Oscars style ceremony in the opulent surrounds of Glasgow City Chambers' Banqueting Hall, they proved it as they picked up the 46th Scotswoman of the Year 2008.

This year, in a surprise departure from tradition ... we have joint winners of the Scotswoman of the Year.

Grans Jean Donnachie and Noreen Real, who campaigned relentlessly to stop the Home Office dawn raids on asylum seekers at the Kingsway flats in Scotstoun and who have worked to transform their community, were jointly awarded the title of Scotswoman of the Year 2008 and the specially designed bronze trophy.

"There is something uniquely Scottish about what the winners did," said Donald Martin, Editor-in-Chief of the Evening Times, Herald and Sunday Herald. "That sense of fairness, justice and compassion.

"They saw something that simply wasn't right and they were going to do something about it.

"They are just two ordinary grannies who aren't ordinary in our eyes. They symbolise everything I think Scotland stands for."

Mary Miller, also a gran, won the new title of International Scotswoman of the Year for her inspirational work at the Jeely Piece Club in Castlemilk and with HIV/Aids children and adults in Zimbabwe.

There was a special cheer for Scotland's Paralympic golden girl, cyclist Aileen McGlynn, 35, when she won Scots Sportswoman of the Year.

"It has been a fantastic year," said Aileen. "Although I am part of the British cycling team, Glasgow is my base and the Scottish Institute of Sport provides fantastic support. Also this award will make my mum, Maureen, very proud."

Dr Rabinder Buttar, 46, boss of ClinTec International, a world leader in clinical research, won Scots Businesswoman of the Year.

"I'm really proud to have won," she said delightedly. "I feel it's like a big thank you to me from Scotland. It was an important decision for me to bring my headquarters to Glasgow and it has worked out very well."

Mary Miller, 62, had flown over from the African trouble-spot specially for the ceremony, leaving behind her husband, the Very Rev. Dr John Miller, former Church of Scotland Moderator and retired minister of Castlemilk East Church.

Obviously moved when accepting her award, she raised a laugh when she commented drily. "I can't do worse than Kate Winslett. This is a huge honour and means a great deal to me."

She praised the other finalists. "All the finalists were in the same business, seeing something that needs doing and doing it. But I think that's what women do.

"These are all people who have said : it's not okay that asylum seekers are dragged from their beds, it's not okay disabled people are isolated and not okay that kids in the schemes get poor education and it's not okay to say there's nothing we can do about it because there is always something you can do.'"

As always, it was a highly charged and emotional evening attended by over 200 women from all walks of life and they gave Jean, Noreen and Mary standing ovations.

Both Jean, 67, and Noreen, 59, were overcome. It was an evening, said Jean over and over again, that she would never forget.

For Jean, it was particularly poignant as she knew how proud her husband, Eddie, who died last May would have been.

"But I am sure he is watching," she smiled.

Both women insist that what they have at the Kingsway now is far more than they have given.

"We have a new community thanks to the asylum seekers," said Jean.

"We had a lot of trouble with anti-social behaviour before but as more of the asylum seekers moved in, the community improved. It is now a little centre with a big heart."

Noreen revealed they had been called criminals for defying the Home Office. "But I don't care because we did this to protect our friends and neighbours," she said. "The people we saved now have permission to stay in this country."

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR CLINICAL research specialist Dr Rabinder Buttar created a company with a £10million turnover in a bid to develop cures for conditions such as diabetes and cancer. The president of ClinTec International is a 46-year-old mum-of-two from Bishopbriggs, who has degrees from both Glasgow and Strathclyde universities, and set up in the company in 1997. She said: "There's a lot of talent in Scotland and a lot of entrepreneurial women here. Many people think that you have to have the glamour of London but you can do many great things in Glasgow."

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR PARALYMPIC heroine Aileen McGlynn cycled off with this award to add to the two Olympic golds and world record she picked up in Beijing last year. The 35-year-old, from Crookston, who is registered blind, became the first person in SWOTY history to be nominated twice, after losing last year's gong to Arsenal and Scotland footballer Julie Fleeting. Aileen said: "It's really good for my achievements to be acknowledged by people in Glasgow. "It's a great night and it's great to see so many women here from all walks of life."

Heather Suttie, Evening Times columnist and presenter, welcomed guests to what she described as a celebration of Scottish women, their achievements, successes and a remarkable ability to triumph over adversity.

"The fact that Jean and Noreen's story is being made into a Ken Loach film is incredible," she said. "He does those gritty, real-life dramas really well, so it's brilliant.

"The Scotswoman of the Year award ceremony is one of the most moving, inspirational and enjoyable evenings in the Glasgow calendar," said Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a finalist last year, and the keynote speaker this year.

She had the audience eating out of her hands with a particularly witty speech and spoke of the awards ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate women's style, intelligence, innate good sense and judgement and wit.

"Tonight," she said, "all of you here are role models who will be able to inspire others to fulfil their own ambitions.

"It has been a fabulous evening," said Labour MSP Margaret Curran.

"We've celebrated some tough issues and tonight shows what can be done by community initiatives a bit of common sense."

Last year's Scotswoman of the Year Bailie Liz Cameron, chair of Culture and Sport, was unable to attend due to illness, but sent a message: "I will treasure the memory of this honour forever. Last year as Scotswoman of the Year was very special for me and my family."

Susan Nicol, general manager of the St Enoch Centre, said: "As the main sponsors of The Scotswoman of the Year Awards we are very proud of our role in what is a fantastic event which celebrates everything that is good about Scotland.

"Every year, the awards highlight a group of women whose achievements provide inspiration for all of us and this year has been no exception.

"The list of nominees was particularly strong this year so I think the winners deserve our congratulations.

" I don't think many people would disagree with the choices in each of the categories.

"In the world of sport it's been a great 12 months for Paralympic cyclist Aileen McGlynn. Her performances will, I'm sure, provide real encouragement for youngsters to follow in her footsteps.

"Dr Rabinder Buttar, president and founder of ClinTech, has worked tremendously hard and shown what can be achieved in business with talent, ideas and ambition.

"The inclusion of the new International Scotswoman of the Year award is a great idea and as the first to hold the title, Mary Miller, who founded the Jeely Piece Club in Castlemilk and is now working with children with Hiv and Aids in Zimbabwe, is a very worthy winner.

"And, of course, Jean Donnachie and Noreen Real, who share the Scotswoman of the Year title this year, are both remarkable women, who have made a fantastic contribution to Glasgow and Scottish society. They thoroughly deserves their success and our congratulations."

Ovations for our heroines

THEY came from the worlds of politics, sport, business, entertainment, media and beyond, but all leapt to their feet in appreciation of some of Scotland's most inspirational women.

Standing ovations greeted the remarkable stories of courage and spirit shown by all finalists.

The 46th annual dinner tugged the heartstrings and fired the imaginations of more than 200 guests in the opulent City Chambers' Banqueting Hall.

They included actresses Libby McArthur, Barbara Rafferty and Gwyneth Guthrie, Lady Provost Sheena Duncan, broadcasters Lesley Riddoch and Janice Forsyth, hairdresser Rita Rusk and author Margaret Thomson Davis.

Host and Evening Times columnist Heather Suttie summed up the atmosphere, saying: "It sounds a bit corny, but there's a real bond of sisterhood. An event like this is a real excuse to clap and laugh and cry."

Few could contain their tears watching videos of International award winner Mary Miller's remarkable work with children in Zimbabwe, while the exhilarating acceptance speech from Jean Donnachie and Noreen Real had guests reaching for hankies.

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave a rousing speech after guests had enjoyed a three-course dinner and entertainment from local all-girl choral group Aria.

One of the few suits amid a sea of glamorous dresses was worn by tennis sensation Andy Murray's grandad Roy Erskine. He and wife Shirley were representing their daughter Judy Murray. Roy said: "We're very proud of everything that's happened. Judith has worked and worked and worked."

After almost four hours of lively chatter, guests left with goodie bags courtesy of the St Enoch Centre.

Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus said: "All credit to the Evening Times, otherwise these women would be unsung heroes."

Singer Michelle McManus congratulates joint winner Noreen Real	River City's Libby McArthur meets up with Noreen and Jean Donnachie	Herald & Times Group Editor-in-Chief Donald Martin with Aileen McGlynn	Dr Rabinder Buttar receives her Businesswoman prize from Donald Martin

Jean and Noreen celebrate winning the title at the ceremony with Evening Times columnist Heather Suttie, whose dress is by Pearce Fionda at Debenhams, St Enoch Centre, £130

Nicola Sturgeon entertains the audience in her role as keynote speaker

Donald Martin honours Mary Miller with the first International Scotswoman of the Year prize

Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year 2008 trophy