I’m not sure what qualifications are required for “national treasure” status. Most people would say great age and the absence of controversy, which seems fair.

TV personality Lorraine Kelly, described as such on her visit to the Orkney Island Games this week, certainly has an unblemished public persona but, apart from the age thing at just 65, says she cringes at the suggestion. Sir Sean Connery was much venerated by the time of his death aged 90, but his reputation was forever tarnished by the infamous 1965 Playboy magazine feature – repeated in a 1987 Barbara Walters interview – in which he argued that a bit of domestic violence was justifiable if the missus wouldn’t shut up.

In the arts world, composer and conductor Sir James McMillan could walk down any Scottish street without recognition, except possibly in his native Cumnock, despite being one of the most significant cultural figures to emerge from this country for decades. Also 65, there’s time yet, but Sir James is not just a national but a global treasure, his deep Catholic faith inspiring modern choral works of astounding beauty on a par with the 19th Century Austrian giant Anton Bruckner, also a devout Catholic.

At 95 and widely regarded as the keeper of the Edinburgh Festival soul, Richard Demarco can lay justifiable claim for national beatification and the closest he came to controversy was his early support for Jimmy Boyle, the convicted killer who found redemption as a sculptor in Barlinnie prison’s........

© Herald Scotland