Broadcaster, writer and celebrity gardener Monty Don OBE has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling in recognition of his outstanding contribution to horticulture, broadcasting, and charity.
Monty celebrated his honorary degree alongside 418 graduates at a ceremony on the Stirling campus today.
Monty said: “I am flattered and delighted to receive this degree from the University of Stirling. Although I have lived my life in England, my family are proudly Scottish, so to receive this honour from a Scottish university is doubly gratifying.”
Monty Don OBE is recognised by University of Stirling Chancellor Lord McConnell.
Born Montagu Don in West Berlin, Monty is the great nephew of Scottish botanist George Don. Both of his paternal grandparents were Scottish.
Monty, whose television and writing work has been prolific, has had a lifelong passion for gardening, although no formal training. He failed his A levels first time round – but went on to re-sit them at night school and gained a place at the University of Cambridge, where he studied English.
A keen proponent of organic gardening and sustainable beekeeping, Monty has spoken out about the therapeutic benefits of gardening for mental and physical health. He has written of his own struggle with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Monty has been affiliated with a number of charities and organisations, including the Bees for Development Trust, the Soil Association and Farms for City Children. In 2018, he was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Monty has hosted a range of programmes across the BBC and Channel 4, including Channel 4’s Real Gardens and Fork to Fork and, for the BBC, programmes including Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens, Paradise Gardens, and Italian Gardens, Around the World in 80 Gardens, and the Chelsea Flower Show. He has hosted BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World for the best part of two decades. Writing credits include The Observer, Daily Mail and BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. He is also the author of more than 20 books.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor University of Stirling
Monty Don is truly inspiring in his field, with interests that span the natural environment, health and wellbeing, and the community. His passions mirror the research and specialisms of the University of Stirling and his commitment to making change in the world aligns with our own purpose. We are proud to have him join our alumni community.
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “Monty Don is truly inspiring in his field, with interests that span the natural environment, health and wellbeing, and the community. His passions mirror the research and specialisms of the University of Stirling and his commitment to making change in the world aligns with our own purpose. We are proud to have him join our alumni community.”
Today’s ceremony is one of three to take place on 23 and 24 November, at which more than 1,000 students will graduate. Winter graduation is the last in the 2023 series of graduations, following the spring and summer events earlier in the year. For more information, please visit the University’s graduation webpages.
Images from Winter Graduation (ceremonies two and three)
Images from the University of Stirling's Winter Graduation 2023.