As part of its remit to preserve and promote all aspects of Scotland's culture and heritage, the Saltire Society administers what are probably the country's best-known literary prizes, for Scottish Book of the Year, currently worth £5000, and Scottish First Book of the Year, for a previously unpublished author, currently worth £1500. The awards may be given for any book by an author of Scottish descent or living in Scotland, or for any book dealing with the work or life of a Scot, or with a Scottish question, event or situation. Novels, short stories, poetry, plays and all other forms of imaginative literature are eligible, along with biography, literary criticism and studies of any Scottish issues. The literary editors of Scottish and UK newspapers, and the editors of magazines and reviews concerned with literature, are invited to nominate titles for the award from works reviewed by them and published during the preceding twelve months. Short-leets and winners are chosen by an independent judging panel. Previous winners have included William McIlvanney, Janice Galloway, Ali Smith, Alan Warner and Michael Faber.

See also TESS Educational Publications Award Arts and Crafts in Architecture Award Housing Design Awards and Scottish History Book Award.