Since 1888, we have regularly awarded Honorary Fellowships (FRSGS) in recognition of individuals' services to the Society or to the wider discipline of geography. And since 1890, when we awarded our first Gold Medal to the explorer HM Stanley, the RSGS’s prestigious Medals have allowed us to recognise outstanding contributions made by individuals (or occasionally by organisations) in a wide range of geographical fields.
Over the past 130 years, we have awarded more than 750 Honorary Fellowships and nearly 400 Medals! Award presentation events have given RSGS audiences the opportunity to meet and to hear stories from some of the greatest names of their day – people who have excelled in geographical activities, from exploration to education.
We welcome nominations for new Medallists and Fellows at any time. If you would like to propose someone for an award, please complete and submit this online form or this Word document. Each nomination requires a proposer and a seconder; self-nominations are not usually accepted.
The Scottish Geographical Medal is the RSGS’s highest accolade, awarded for conspicuous merit and a performance of world-wide repute. It was awarded first in 1890 as the Gold Medal, and from 1933 as the Scottish Geographical Medal. Read more
The Coppock Research Medal is the RSGS’s highest research-specific award, awarded for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through research and publication. Read more
The Livingstone Medal is awarded for outstanding service of a humanitarian nature with a clear geographical dimension. It was awarded first in 1901. Read more
The Mungo Park Medal is awarded for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through exploration or adventure in potentially hazardous physical or social environments. Read more
The Shackleton Medal is awarded for leadership and citizenship in a geographical field, in particular in the fields and current themes of most concern to RSGS. Read more
The Geddes Environment Medal is awarded for an outstanding practical, research or communications contribution to conservation and protection of the natural environment and the development of sustainability. Read more
The Joy Tivy Education Medal is awarded for exemplary, outstanding and inspirational teaching, educational policy or work in formal and informal educational arenas. Read more
The Bartholomew Globe is awarded for excellence in the assembly, delivery or application of geographical information through cartography, GIS and related techniques. Read more
The President’s Award recognises achievement and celebrates the impact of geographers’ work on wider society. Read more
An Honorary Fellowship is awarded in recognition of services to the Society and to the wider discipline of geography. Since 2008, medallists of the RSGS have automatically been made Honorary Fellows. Read more
The Newbigin Prize is awarded for the most notable contribution to the Scottish Geographical Journal, or any other RSGS publication, during the previous year. Read more
The W S Bruce Medal is awarded for some notable contribution to Zoology, Botany, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography or Geography, where new knowledge has been gained through a personal visit to polar regions. Read more
The Bronze Medal was awarded for outstanding public service in which Geography has played an important part, either by exploration, by administration, or in other directions where its principles have been applied to the benefit of the human race. Read more