In 1968 Colonel John Blashford-Snell and and his carefully chosen band of companions were about to embark on a voyage down unknown and hostile waters, through largely unknown and hostile territory. This voyage would be the first descent of the Blue Nile. Written by RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf. Read more
As the eyes of the world turn to Glasgow for the most important UN climate conference to date, we share our ambitious programme of work related to COP26. Read more
Mountain climber, polar explorer and Mungo Park Medallist Myrtle Simpson visits a remote part of West Greenland on a three-week canoeing and camping trip with her grandchildren - her idea of the perfect family adventure! Read more
Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.
On 24th September 1975, Dougal Haston and Doug Scott reached summit of Everest via the treacherous south-west face, becoming the first Britons to conquer the world's highest mountain. Later that year, the 1975 British Everest Expedition was awarded the Livingstone Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Written by RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf. Read more
With our first Inspiring People talk taking place online next week, we introduce some of our stellar line-up of speakers, and talk about our plans for hosting talks in 2021-22. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf celebrates the birthday of Sir Walter Scott by investigating his ties to the RSGS through one of his most popular novels 'The Fair Maid of Perth'. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf reflects on the life and many adventures of nineteenth-century British explorer, writer, photographer and naturalist Isabella Bird Bishop, who became a fellow of the RSGS in 1891. Read more
James Croll and his Adventures in Climate and Time, written by Jo Woolf and illustrated by Dylan Gibson, tells the compelling story of James Croll (1821-90), a brilliant-minded Scotsman from Perthshire who is considered to be one of the world’s first climate scientists. The book was launched by Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP in Wolfhill, the Perthshire birthplace of James Croll. Read more
RSGS CEO Mike Robinson reflects on what we could see in the next 10 years if we were all to take immediate and definitive action on climate change. Read more
On 21st of July 2021 we were delighted to present an RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Louise Macdonald OBE, FRSE for her invaluable contributions to women, young people and the environment. Louise is the first woman to hold the position of National Director at The Institute of Directors Scotland and previously held the position of CEO at Young Scot for twelve years. Read more
A panel of farmers, academics and NGO representatives have published a consensus pathway for making Scottish farming climate compatible. In a debate that has been notoriously polarised, Farming for 1.5 Inquiry was able to set out a credible way forward by bringing different perspectives and aspirations around the same table. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf investigates the life and explorations of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, accredited as the first to reach the South Pole, the first to voyage through the Northwest Passage by ship, and one of the first to cross the Arctic by plane. Amundsen received the RSGS Livingstone Medal in 1925 “in recognition of his recent unique aerial exploration of the north polar regions.” Read more
Professor Kevin J Edwards reflects on the life and work of Graeme Walter Whittington, Emeritus Professor of Geography in the University of St Andrews. Professor Whittington made research contributions of international standing to studies on the evolution of Scotland’s geographical and historical landscapes, drawing upon the methods of science and the humanities. Read more
In June 2021, we were delighted to host a conference of over 60 delegates from 28 different countries representing many of the world’s leading geographical societies to discuss their respective and collective responses to the climate emergency. Hosted in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society and the International Geographical Union. Read more
How 18th-century weather diaries shed light on the effects of an Icelandic volcanic eruption on Scotland, written by Alastair Dawson and Martin Kirkbride, University of Dundee. Read more
Leading technology-enabled solutions provider Jacobs has reaffirmed its commitment to responding to the climate change emergency by offering its entire workforce the Climate Solutions Accelerator course, a 90-minute online course designed to educate participants on climate change and the actions that can mitigate its impact before it is too late. Read more
Professor Kevin J Edwards FRSGS reports on a bicentenary commemoration of the birth of James Croll (1821-1890), the Perthshire-born, self-taught prodigy who laid the foundations for climate change science. Read more
Scotland’s citizens’ assembly on the climate emergency has drawn together over 100 ordinary citizens, and tasked them with agreeing a response to the question, “How should Scotland change to tackle the climate emergency in an effective and fair way?” Read more
In March 2021, we were delighted to present our prestigious Livingstone Medal to Ban Ki-moon, in recognition of his positive contribution and long-standing dedication to global humanitarian issues on a wide number of fronts. Read more
Jo Woolf discovers RSGS’s special connection with the captain of HMS Enterprise, who joined the hunt for a lost Arctic expedition. Read more
Nobody knew what virus would strike humanity, but medical experts knew something would appear sooner rather than later, most likely a flu or coronavirus. They just weren’t sure when. Read more
Our soil is one of the most promising nature-based solutions to climate change available to us, says Professor Colin Campbell of the James Hutton Institute. Read more
"It has been more than a year since this coronavirus appeared on the scene. We have not coped well. We need to take stock and start to learn from those who have coped so much better," says RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson. Read more