Heather warned the Queen to expect heavy showers

Heather the weather, as she is popularly known, was awarded the honour for Services to Physics in the 2006 New Year's Honours List.

Rangers chairman David Murray picked up a knighthood at the ceremony for Services to Business.

About 8,000 guests joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for the garden party in the palace grounds.

Heather and Sir David were among 85 people from all walks of life to be honoured at the ceremony.

Other well-known Scots honoured included best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith and arts impresario Richard Demarco.

'Lovely occasion'

The Queen, wearing a gold dress with a floral pattern, took just under an hour to hand out the honours in the palace's Picture Gallery.

Speaking after receiving her OBE, Heather - known for her 'hello there' catchphrase at the beginning of Reporting Scotland weather broadcasts - admitted the Queen had asked her for an impromptu forecast as she was given the medal.

She added: "It was a really exciting experience. The palace was beautiful. The Queen was so nice and she asked me the weather forecast for the garden party this afternoon.

"I had to tell her that there may be a few showers, but it was just a lovely, lovely occasion.

"I've been involved in promoting physics in Scotland and in the UK now for a wee while and I know a lot of hard-working physics teachers who do a very difficult job at times, so this award is for them."

Ayr-born steel tycoon Sir David, Scotland's fifth richest man, was the only person to be knighted at the ceremony.

Rangers chairman Sir David has amassed a �750m fortune

He posed briefly for photographers, but made no comment about the exchange he had with the monarch.

George Bell, 61, a retired milkman who worked the same round in Gullane, East Lothian, for 34 years, collected an MBE.

He was accompanied by daughter Maureen, daughter-in-law Audrey and 11-year-old granddaughter Shonagh.

Mr Bell, from Tranent, used to help customers on his round with their shopping, and even lifting one older woman, who was suffering from arthritis, out of a wheelchair into a chair.

He said: "The day was exciting and when you come in here and see all the people, you realise it's something that will live with you for years to come.

"It was especially good for my granddaughter because it was her first chance to see the Queen."