Edinburgh 2005

18 August 2005
Hamilton & Inches, Edinburgh

The Medals of Excellence once again came to Scotland last year and the Hamilton & Inches store in George Street, Edinburgh.

In the past four years of these popular Walpole events, medals have been handed out to Scottish luminaries including Gordon Ramsay and JK Rowling. In 2005 there was an exhibition of rarely seen silver by The Silver Trust, set up in 1987 to promote a wider understanding of contemporary British design using the metal. This particular collection is on permanent loan to HM Government for use at state and government functions.

About 150 guests witnessed three Scottish achievers receive the unique Walpole Medals, cast in gold by the host jeweller. Sir Brian McMaster was being recognised for his achievements with the Edinburgh International Festival, for whom he is director. Ian Rankin OBE, a proud Scotsman who lives in Edinburgh, received his medal for his contribution to the literary world. Dr Alexander McCall Smith, another novelist – his work includes the acclaimed No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels – accepted his medal from New Zealand with the words: “I would very much prefer to be in Edinburgh than New Zealand. I would dearly love to be at the ceremony. I am most grateful. The fact that I am unable to be here today in no sense diminishes the pride and the pleasure I take in this event; if I weren’t asleep at the moment, I would be raising my glass to toast the judges and the organisers."

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