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Scottish Geography
Academic geography as it emerged and crystallized in Britain in the years before 1914 owed a great debt to Scotland. Why was this the case? The answers lie in the prevailing intellectual climate and the pattern of scientific activity in that country, especially in the late nineteenth century in its capital, Edinburgh, and in the network of contacts and friendships which existed there.
For an understanding of how geography developed in Scotland, please click on the following link:-
The History of the RSGS
The originator of the idea for a national society of geography in Scotland was John George Bartholomew, of the Bartholomew map-making company in Edinburgh. Bartholomew felt that there was a low quality of map craftsmanship within Britain and a lack of geographical societies as compared with the rest of Europe, and set out to investigate the situation in other countries, particularly in Germany. As a result of this he began work in establishing a geographical society for Scotland.
For an understanding of how the RSGS developed, please click on the following link :-
Through lectures, symposia, education packs, support for geography-teaching in Scotland's schools and universities, 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 by supporting speakers at SAGT conferences, the annual Students World Wise Quiz, the John C. Bartholomew Essay Competition , and the production of educational resources. In 2001 the RSGS published A World of Opportunity: Going Places with Geography, a guide to course and career opportunities in Scotland. An online version is available at:
The importance of geography has been well recognised in Scotland for many centuries and was one of the founding subjects listed in the charter for Edinburgh University in 1583. In 1908 RSGS Secretary George Chisholm was appointed the first lecturer in geography at Edinburgh and in 1931 the Society was influential in establishing the first Chair of Geography in Scotland, held at Edinburgh University by Professor Alan Ogilvie until his death in 1954.
The tradition of Scottish geography, powered by new skills in automated cartography and
geographical information systems, is carried on into the 21st century by geographers of the
Universities of: -
As a specific contribution to the dissemination of geographical information, the Society is involved in a collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, which has developed an online
Gazetteer for Scotland. Details of our Enquiries Service and arrangements for access to our collections
(archives, books, images and maps) are described here.
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