The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has been conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws by Kings College, University of Aberdeen this morning.
Speaking after the ceremony, the Taoiseach said: "This award not only acknowledges personal achievements, it also provides another strong tie binding our two countries together.
"There are many Celtic connections between Ireland and Scotland including our culture, language, history and literature. The Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen and its affinity with Institutes in Ireland, North and South, encourage these bonds."
Aberdeen University is one of Scotland's oldest educational institutions and is a founding member of the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative, which aims to deepen scholarly and cultural links between Ireland and Scotland.