Train expert David Spaven considers what dis-investment means for rail freight. Read more
Geologists have just announced that the Garvellachs, a group of small islands off Scotland’s west coast, preserve a unique record of the Earth entering an ice age some 720 million years ago. We take a short ‘virtual cruise’ around these Isles of the Sea. Read more
From the Sahara to the Himalayas, from oceans to forests, and even journeys that circumnavigate the globe, The Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s 2024-25 Inspiring People talks programme is set to kick off, featuring a stellar line-up of renowned authors, leading scientists, visionary filmmakers, and intrepid explorers. Read more
For a woman who wanted to be something more than a housewife, the late 19th century was not a great time to be born. But Marion Newbigin was one of the women who broke the mould. Read more
Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.
After their epic struggles in remote regions, not every explorer relished being in the spotlight on their return to civilisation… Jo Woolf considers how Fridtjof Nansen coped with a return to normal life after gaining worldwide fame. Read more
The International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms highlights the growing severity of these hazards. Climate change, poor land management, and geopolitical tensions exacerbate their impact on health, infrastructure, and regional stability. Read more
Ordnance Survey (OS) has renewed its long-standing relationship with RSGS, to promote the essential role geography and geospatial data can play in delivering climate solutions and helping deliver better outcomes for the public. Read more
"what we actually sense as our primary community is where we feel we belong: our tribe; our sense of place and pride; of participation or ownership; our passion; our sense of self and identity; our sense of purpose." Mike Robinson questions how RSGS can build on its role at the heart of Scotland's geographical community. Read more
‘The Quest,’ wrote Alexander Macklin, ‘is a little “she-devil”, lively as they are made. She has many uncomplimentary things said of her, and deserves all of them.’ Read more
This spring we have seen a number of extreme local flooding incidents, but what is causing them, and what can we do to stop it? Read more
It is widely recognised that the private sector has a big role to play to meet global climate commitments and contributing towards a more sustainable economy. Since the Paris climate agreement, many companies have acted voluntarily. Recognising that acting responsibly as a business is not only the right thing to do, but it can also create new opportunities... Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf looks at explorers throughout history that encountered desert mysteries. Read more
Faith, science and NGO communities in Scotland came together in Edinburgh yesterday, in response to Government intentions to water down climate policy. Giving a voice to the head, heart and soul of society, the event underlined the absolute necessity of tackling climate change, and the need to raise the issue beyond that of a political football. Read more
Imagine our planet shared equally and equitably by people and nature, a world in which nature has ample space to exist and evolve, and people enjoy a healthy lifestyle that allows such a world to thrive. Read more
Following our fourth webinar on educational reform, RSGS Education Committee Chair Alastair McConnell reports on the findings from discussion and feedback and the recommendations for teaching geospatial analysis. Read more
RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson writes about why the Scottish Government's plans to remove the 2030 emissions reduction target is an incredibly retrograde step, and undermines years of climate leadership in this country. Read more
In April 1894, almost exactly 130 years ago, the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen was observing a solar eclipse in the Arctic Ocean... Read more
We are delighted introduce our new Deputy Chief Executive, Clare Hamilton, a specialist in international environmental law and policy. Learn more about Clare in our latest blog! Read more
Why doesn’t anyone care about climate change as much as I do? It’s so easy to think this (and for this feeling to be backed up by the prevailing narrative in the media), and then to despair. But actually, take heart - because it’s wrong. Read more
"Imagine that we are at the beginning of life on this planet and not, as every generation seems to believe the end." We share an article from the latest edition of the Geographer themed on Long-mindedness and the geography of time. Read more
It’s official - Scotland is going to struggle to hit its 2030 climate target… and every single one of us could do more to help. Read more
With the release of this week's Scottish Fiscal Commission report, RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson reflects on why it is clear that the cost of damage from climate change is going to grow exponentially, unless we take greater steps to avoid it. Read more
On International Women's Day, we look at three remarkable women travellers, Isabella Bird, Mary Kingsley and Isobel Wylie Hutchison, who lived life according to their own rules, and made a great success of it. Read more
Stephen Boyle from Zero Waste Scotland explores the key regulatory changes proposed by industry experts to reduce carbon in Scotland’s buildings and infrastructure, and how they can contribute to achieving net zero targets. Read more