Scottish Geographical Medal: the highest accolade, for conspicuous merit and a performance of world-wide repute. This was awarded first in 1890 as the Gold Medal, and from 1933 as the Scottish Geographical Medal. Its recipients include Henry Morton Stanley, Colonel Sir Francis Younghusband, Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs, and Sir David Attenborough.

• 2022           Professor Iain Stewart
• 2021           Professor Roger Crofts
• 2016           Dr Rita Gardner CBE
• 2015           Dr Frederik Paulsen
• 2012           Sir David Hempleman-Adams LVO OBE
• 2011           Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS
• 2008           Professor Nigel Thrift
• 2006           Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB
• 2004           Professor David Lowenthal
• 2003           Professor Robert A Dodgshon
• 2002           Professor Sir Ron Cooke DSc
• 2001           The American Geographical Society
• 2000           Professor Kenneth J Gregory
• 1999           Professor Colin Clarke
• 1998           Professor J Terence Coppock CBE
• 1997           Professor Eckart Ehlers
• 1996           Gilbert M Grosvenor
• 1995           Professor Herman Th Verstappen
• 1994           Dr Denis St-Onge
• 1993           Professor Peter Haggett
• 1992           The Sierra Club, USA
• 1989           The Rt Hon The Lord Shackleton of Burley
• 1988           Professor Stig Jaatinen
• 1984           Professor J Wreford Watson
• 1972           George E R Deacon CBE FRS DSc
• 1969           Professor James Alfred Steers
• 1964           Professor Laurence Dudley Stamp CBE DSc LLD
• 1958           Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs PhD
• 1954           Dr John Bartholomew MC JP FRSGS
• 1945           Professor Herbert John Fleure DSc
• 1944           James M Wordie
• 1933           The Baron Meston of Agra and Dunottar KCSI LLD

previously known as the Gold Medal

• 1927           John Mathieson FRSE FRSGS
• 1924           Dr Hugh Robert Mill DSc
• 1923           Professor John W Gregory FRS
• 1919           Rt Hon Field-Marshal Earl Haig of Bemersyde KT KCB
• 1915           Dr J Scott Keltie Kt LLD
• 1913           Professor Albrecht Penck
• 1912           Captain Roald Amundsen
• 1911           James Young Buchanan FRS
• 1910           Professor James Geikie DCL LLD FRS
• 1908           Dr Sven Anders Hedin
• 1906           HSH Albert, First Prince of Monaco
• 1905           Colonel Sir Francis Younghusband KCIE
• 1904           Dr William Speirs Bruce
• 1897           Dr Fridtjof Nansen
• 1890           Henry Morton Stanley MP