CZECH president Vaclav Havel is to pay an official visit to Scotland next month to receive an honorary degree from Glasgow University.
He was first awarded the honour more than 10 years ago when he was in opposition, but the ceremony was put on hold until the former dissident playwright could attend the ceremony.
Now, Mr Havel will come to Glasgow on November 7, the final day of a three-day official trip to Britain during which he also hopes to meet the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A statement from the Czech embassy last night said Mr Havel would be making his first ever official trip to Scotland to receive his honorary Doctorate of Letters. He will also visit Edinburgh.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow University said: ''The decision to give president Havel an honorary doctorate was made many years ago when he was in opposition. He has not been in Scotland before so therefore this is his first chance to pick up his honorary degree.''
Mr Havel is said to be in good health after having a small malignant tumour and half of his right lung removed last year.
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