A Perthshire pensioner whose keen weather eye has helped protect against flooding for 45 years has been honoured.
Former teacher Norman Pedgrift has spent four and a half decades monitoring the local weather station for SEPA and the Met Office.
The data collected at the Strathallan School base close to his home has helped inform the agencies’ actions against severe weather.
As well as keeping close records of local rainfall, Mr Pedgrift has monitored other weather data, such as wind speed and temperature.
He said: ”I became a rainfall observer in 1967, when I was teaching geography at Strathallan School. I really enjoy comparing the figures and seeing the changes in the weather.
”My friends are always asking me what I have I been doing to the weather as it’s got worse since I started recording it!”
Mr Pedgrift was one of 14 rainfall observers honoured for their dedication to the cause.
Ian and Evelyn Crombie, from Cupar in Fife, have carried out their duties for 44 years, while George Gall, of Gateside, has just three years less service.
Other local recipients were Alastair Work, from Comrie, (43 years) and Ian Rose, of Cortachy in Angus (35 years).
Their efforts are deemed essential by the authorities as record levels of rainfall are recorded, increasing the risk of flooding.
SEPA records rainfall at 383 sites across Scotland, of which 267 are registered with the Met Office, contributing to the national rainfall archive.
Of these sites, 146 are run by volunteer members of the public.
Observers measure and record the accumulated rainfall from their gauge daily and send the data to SEPA on a monthly basis for processing and entry into its database and the national archive.
Hosted at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the awards ceremony was also used to highlight the importance of rainfall recording ahead of a national drive to recruit new observers, which is due to begin over the coming months.
James Curran, SEPA chief executive, said: ”The voluntary rainfall observers provide an invaluable service and it is important we recognise their outstanding commitment and dedication.
”The information they collect is crucial to a number of nationwide services and the awards are a way of showing our appreciation to the longest-serving observers.
”Some have carried out their duties for nearly half a century and we hope they continue to show the same enthusiasm in the service they provide.
”By raising awareness of this service, we are encouraging members of the public to step forward and help us increase our pool of rainfall observers.”
Christine Duffy, rainfall data manager at the Met Office, said: ”The Met Office and SEPA work closely together throughout the year to help minimise the risk that weather and flooding can bring.
”The rainfall observers provide an invaluable service to both ourselves and SEPA and this is a fantastic event to recognise their commitment and dedication.”
Experts say this summer has been the wettest in a century and June saw the heaviest rainfall since records began.
Anyone interested in more information on becoming a rainfall observer, can contact Grant Kennedy, senior specialist scientist at SEPA, on 01355 574368, or online.