"Geography is a brilliant subject for today's school kids and students - almost everything in the news has a geographical bent or is better understood through an awareness of the subject as it draws together science, economics, sociology and the environment. It is a way of teaching kids citizenship, responsibility and sustainability. It teaches them a sense of their place in the world and encourages joined up thinking. We would like it to be seen as a basic tenet of education alongside reading, writing and arithmetic."

Through lectures, symposia, education packs, and close liaison with government, the Society promotes the quality and growth of geographical and environmental education in Scotland.

The RSGS works closely with the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) in promoting the teaching of geography in schools. In particular, the Society supports keynote speakers at the annual SAGT conference, the Student's World Wise Quiz and the production of educational resources.

RSGS and SAGT also collaborate to organise the the John Bartholomew Essay Competition. This competition is organised annually and is open to school across Scotland. Prizes are generously donated by HarperCollins Publishers. Further details are available.

The Society also maintains a substantial collection of maps, images, atlases and memorabilia. It also offers a number of awards each year, including the University Medals, offered to the best Geography undergraduate students in each of the Scottish universities.

RSGS has signed up to the "Real World Learning" partnership, a collection of organistions including the National Trust for Scotland, John Muir Trust, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Grounds for Learning, Eco-Schools and others, who are seeking to encourage government to address barriers to outdoor learning.