Trophies - Just rewards or a waste of time and money? The long version
For many people, the presentation of trophies is a highlight of the annual Black Isle Horticultural Society Show in Rosemarkie. It gives public recognition to people whose performance in the Show has been outstanding. It rewards them for their skills, work, and attention to detail in the garden, in the kitchen, or at the craft table. Winning a trophy can motivate competitors, and engraving names and locations on trophies provides a permanent, tangible historical record. At our Show we currently award 15 trophies, five of which date back to the 1950s. The oldest was first awarded in 1951, 74 years ago, so trophies are part of a long tradition.
However, not everyone feels the same way about trophies. For some, pride in showing the results of their efforts, or just participating in a community event, is motivation enough. Others think that awarding trophies is outdated, or that other forms of recognition (eg cash prizes) are more appropriate.
Over the past couple of years the BIHS Committee has had some discussion over trophies, but we have no settled view and haven’t made any decisions. We’ll have further discussion at our AGM in December this year, but we’re not necessarily going to make drastic short-term changes. We want to hear the views of our exhibitors (trophy winners or not!), and of people who just come along to enjoy the Show. Some of the matters we’ve discussed are outlined below.
The biggest single cost in running the Show is engraving the trophies and keeping them maintained and insured. In 2024 engraving alone cost £281, a sum which increases steadily each year. When trophies require repair, or additional plates or bases when no space remains for engraving, costs are higher. For example in 2023 the total cost was £429. One trophy has no space left and will have an additional base fitted this year, three will have no space left after next year’s Show, and three more will run out of space in the next ten years. Property insurance (which includes our equipment as well as trophies), cost £100 in 2025.
Trophies are not distributed equally in the show. There are more trophies for cut flowers than for any other section, and some sections have no dedicated trophies, only shared ones.
Two trophies are restricted to specific geographical areas (one to Fortrose, Rosemarkie and Avoch, one to Fortrose and Rosemarkie), which could be seen as favouring these areas over other parts of the Black Isle.
So, some of the questions that we’re thinking about are-
1) Are traditional trophies the best way of recognising success? Is the expense associated with trophies justified? Is there a place for other types of reward?
2) Should trophies that have no space left for names be upgraded, replaced, or retired?
3) Are geographical restrictions on trophies outdated, and off-putting for people outwith the restricted areas, or are they just an interesting local quirk?
4) Have we got too many or too few trophies? Is it fair to have very different numbers of trophies for different sections of the Show?
We want to hear what you think. You can answer all or any of the questions above or just give us any thoughts you have. Please use our Feedback page to send any views by Monday 24th November 2025.