2018 Samurai Awards

Maryculter House, the historic knights templar hotel (1227 AD) on the banks of the river Dee was the venue chosen for this year’s 24th annual celebration of the Scottish Samurai awards.  An idyllic setting and a fitting venue for this prestigious invitation only event hosted to a select audience of around 100 people from all walks of life.

The Samurai awards were founded in Aberdeen 24 years ago by Ronnie Watt (9th Dan) OBE ORS.  Ronnie created the awards in an attempt to recognise the great and good that goes on often unnoticed and uncelebrated here in the city of Aberdeen.   After more than 2 decades of recognising the Samurai spirit in many individuals the awards have grown and developed into an international following with recipients and awards taking place in Europe, Canada the USA and Japan.   Ronnie knows all about recognition on a personal basis.  He has been previously recognised by the Queen with an OBE, the Japanese Government with an ORS, Order of the Rising Sun and by his home city of Aberdeen as a Burgess of the city.

This year’s event saw 23 awardees attending.  People travelled from Ireland, Germany, Hungary, England and around Scotland just to attend the awards.  Each awardee has been recognised for making their mark in their area of activity. Showing true Samurai sprit and going above and beyond what is expected or required of their efforts.  Often striving through difficult circumstances against heavy odds and managing to exceed expectations and excel in their field.  The influence of Budo (the way of the warrior) the code of the ancient Samurai lies in the foundations of the celebrations during the samurai awards. Budo, as trained in Karate and other Japanese arts encourages people to be better at what they do.  A positive force for good that can translate throughout our lives and improve society and well-being. Budo exists in our society but we don’t recognise it in western ideals or education.   The Samurai awards look set to influence this philosophy into the mainstream of western thinking.

No Samurai awards event would be complete without a demonstration of martial discipline and this year’s event put on a great show with an elite demonstration of 3 of Japans finest martial arts.   Aberdeen’s Gordon McCathie provided a first-class Judo demonstration with the ‘Ultimate Judo’ team.   Glasgow’s Robert Boyd had the audience in silenced awe during an Iaido demonstration with a graceful show of how to dispense an imaginary attacker from a kneeling position with a Samurai sword.  The floor then rocked to the powerful Shotokan Karate display from Ronnie Watt’s National Karate Institute, who gave a self-defence, basic, sparring and kata presentation.

 A demonstration of traditional highland dance which has its origins in battle training from highlanders was brilliantly performed by award winning dance champion Becca Hobart.

Guests were also entertained by local musicians, Irene Watt on harp, Yvonne Morton and Charlie Abel as a duo on Scottish song and accordion. 

Charles, Lord Bruce gave a great talk on the upcoming Japan visit next month.

Ronnie will return to Japan accompanied by Charles, Lord Bruce to continue where he left off on his last trip 2 years ago.  This year he is travelling with a select group of VIP’s and Karate students to tour the dojos and present awards to people and dignitaries in Japan who have made a significant contribution to the connections between Scotland and Japan.

Ronnie Watt would like to thank his dedicated team.

 ‘The events we run and the vision we share would not be possible without the help of the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly in the background. A special thanks to my wife Gail Watt, Lord Bruce, Hayley Bloodworth, Chris Davidson and Charlie Abel.’

Legendary Samurai Awards

Garry Stevens OSS Legendary Samurai – For Services to Scotland, Aberdeen and the community

Lee McRonald OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to Scotland and Japan (Visit Scotland)

Norman McPherson OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to Medical Charities

Mary McPherson OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to Medical Charities

Gordon McCathie OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to the Japanese Martial Arts

Becca Hobart OSS Hatamoto – For services and contribution to the Order of the Scottish Samurai

Duncan McPherson Legendary Samurai – For services to the Japanese Martial arts

Robert Boyd OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to the Japanese Martial arts

Sally Johnson OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to Education and the community

Janet McRoberts OSS Legendary Samurai – For services to Education and the community

Shogun Awards

Terry Boyle OSS Shogun – For services to refereeing and the development of the Japanese Martial Arts

Tyrone Smith OSS Shogun – For services to Sport and Broadcasting

Suzie Huggins OSS Shogun – For Services to Japan and Scotland

Mark McCue OSS Shogun – For services to charity world wide

Dr Margaret Smith OSS Shogun, LP 1999 -2003 – For services to Aberdeen and the community

Margaret Farquhar CBE OSS Shogun, LP1996-1999 – For services to Aberdeen and the community

Hector Emslie OSS Shogun – For services to tourism to Aberdeen and Scotland

Dr Irene Watt OSS Shogun – For services to the arts and to the friendship between Scotland and Japan

Alistair Robertson OSS Shogun – For services to Sport and to Aberdeen

Sarah Webb Robert Gordons College. Excellence Award – For excellence in the field of education and sport

Lord Provost Barney Crockett OSS Gt Shogun – For services to Aberdeen and the community and to the friendship between Scotland and Japan.