The Trophy

The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is unique amongst book prizes in having a permanent master trophy which is on display at Bowhill, the Duke of Buccleuch’s Borders home. This exquisite glass sculpture was commissioned from the artist Colin Reid in 2009.  The first four winning authors were presented with smaller versions of this flagship trophy by the Duke at prize ceremonies.

In 2015 a new winner’s trophy was commissioned from glass artists Annica Sandstrom and David Kaplan at Lindean Mill Glass. A beautiful glass panel was designed and created, capturing the colours and shapes of the Scottish Borders. New panels were commissioned and presented to winners from 2015 – 2019, including to Sebastian Barry, the 2017 winner, pictured here with his trophy with Melrose Abbey in the background.

Since 2020, winners have received a specially commissioned image by renowned photographer and eldest Buccleuch son, Walter Dalkeith, shown here with the photograph presented to the 2020 winner, Christine Dwyer Hickey, and a portrait of his kinsman.  The print is of black-faced sheep at Smailham Tower, described by Sir Walter Scott in his novel Marmion as ‘the mightiest work of human power’.