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  • stories-from-the-collections
  1. Blog

RSGS Blog

A Box of Delights!

A Box of Delights!

"There is always a sense of anticipation!" Written by Jane Griffiths, RSGS Collections Volunteer Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 28th February, 2019

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
The First Ascent of Everest

The First Ascent of Everest

"65 years since Everest was first climbed, we look back on the visit of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir John Hunt…" Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 30th August, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
A View of St Kilda

A View of St Kilda

The RSGS holds a small selection of early 20th-century glass lantern slides of St Kilda, taken some years before and then immediately after the evacuation. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 25th July, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Susan Watt

Comments: 1

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
Dr Nansen's Visit to Scotland, February 1897

Dr Nansen's Visit to Scotland, February 1897

In February 1897, Dr Fridtjof Nansen visited Scotland to address RSGS audiences about his recent expedition towards the North Pole, and to receive the Society’s Gold Medal. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 25th July, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Susan Watt

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
East Coast of Scotland (1647)

East Coast of Scotland (1647)

On this sea chart, the east coast of Scotland between the Cromarty Firth and St Abb’s Head is easily recognisable today in terms of its outline, but some of its place-names may at first sight seem strange. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 23rd July, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Get Involved
  • Stories from the Collections
East Coast of Scotland (1589)

East Coast of Scotland (1589)

This Dutch sea chart depicts the east coast of Scotland from Aberdeen south to Berwick-upon-Tweed, and thence south along the English coast to Dunstanburgh. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 23rd July, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
Fridtjof Nansen: The First Crossing of Greenland

Fridtjof Nansen: The First Crossing of Greenland

“When I first put forth my plan to cross Greenland most people said I was either mad or tired of my life.” (SGM, 1889) Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 17th July, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
Frank Kingdon-Ward in the Garden of Asia

Frank Kingdon-Ward in the Garden of Asia

We climbed great precipices in search of plants, the nicest of which always select the most abominable situations". Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 28th June, 2018

Updated: 15th January, 2021

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
Forth Bridge in its various stages of construction (1890)

Forth Bridge in its various stages of construction (1890)

Philip Phillips documented stages in the construction of this remarkable bridge from May 1885 onwards. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 25th June, 2018

Updated: 4th March, 2020

Author: Susan Watt

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
Digital Mapping: Right here, Right now

Digital Mapping: Right here, Right now

The great advantage of a digital map is that it can be updated regularly Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 1st June, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Community

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
Isabella Bird: Playing with Hawaiian Fire

Isabella Bird: Playing with Hawaiian Fire

“With the recent eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii, we take a look back at a visit to the volcano by Isabella Bird, 145 years ago…” Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer in Residence. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 11th May, 2018

Updated: 29th August, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
The King's Speech

The King's Speech

"A Royal Occasion at RSGS." Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 8th May, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
Escape from Tashkent

Escape from Tashkent

"Escaping from Turkestan was hideously dangerous". Story of Frederick Marshman Bailey. Written by Jo Woolf RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 27th February, 2018

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
Finland, Finlayson and Finno-Scottish Links

Finland, Finlayson and Finno-Scottish Links

"In Finland, everything turns blue and white on 6th December." By Kenny Maclean Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 5th December, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
Explorer Royale: The Duke of Abruzzi

Explorer Royale: The Duke of Abruzzi

"Suddenly we all exclaimed: ‘The summit!’” Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 30th November, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People

Explorers, Voyagers, Missionaries and Mavericks

Items from the RSGS Archives for The Great Horizon by Jo Woolf. Written by the author RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 31st October, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

Explorers and the Unexplained

" explorers often had to deal with puzzling phenomena" Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 30th September, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People

Collections Corner - The 1908 Plano de Lima

"newly uncovered map of Lima in Peru." Written by Lenny MacLean, RSGS Collections Volunteer Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 30th August, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

Collections Corner - Corryvreckan

“The famous and dangerous gulf, called Cory Vrekan” Researched by Margaret Wilkes RSGS Collections Committee Chair Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 31st July, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

On This Day - July 21st

Today is a big day in RSGS history! A lot has happened on this day. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 21st July, 2017

Updated: 21st July, 2020

Author: RSGS Community

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

Collections Corner - 150 Years of Alaska, USA

“By authority from his Majesty, the Emperor of Russia, I transfer to the United States the territory of Russia”. Research and Written by Kenneth Maclean, Collections Team Member Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 31st May, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: RSGS Volunteer

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

A Passage to India - Sir Alan Cobham

"The recipient of the RSGS Livingstone Medal in 1926, Cobham was a pioneer in so many ways. " Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 28th April, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People

Collections Corner - Reporting RSGS 200 Years in The Scotsman

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society was founded in 1884. Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 31st March, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections

International Women's Day - Fanny Bullock Workman

"A woman of substance" Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Published: 26th March, 2017

Updated: 30th July, 2019

Author: Jo Woolf

Related topics:
  • Stories from the Collections
  • Stories - People
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Showing 10 of 25

Latest

  • The Gulf of Corryvreckan: A Modern Perspective of an Ancient Folklore

    The Gulf of Corryvreckan: A Modern Perspective of an Ancient Folklore

    The Gulf of Corryvreckan exists on the western coast of Scotland, and despite its fame, remains a source of mystery. Christian Armstrong from SAMS investigates...

  • January 2021

    January 2021

    January e-newsletter of the RSGS: RSGS Chalk Talks, Lesson Plans, Climate Commitment, Inspiring People At Home, Michael Palin at RSGS, 2020 Summary Video

  • Rephotography of the Central Asiatic Expeditions

    Rephotography of the Central Asiatic Expeditions

    Rephotography of the Central Asiatic Expeditions: Chasing Four Photographers Across Mongolia and Discovering 100 Years of Change

  • Chalk Talks

    Chalk Talks

    Free, virtual geography lessons for students at home. Each video will summarise topics in the Scottish Geography curriculum, from glaciers to coasts, cities to deserts, and everything in between.

Most read

  • Departing the Island on 'The Edge of the World’

    Departing the Island on 'The Edge of the World’

    "Ninety years ago, on August 29, 1930, the last 36 residents of St Kilda were evacuated. Huddled on HMS Harebell they were conveyed from Village Bay on Hirta to mainland Scotland." Writes Collections Volunteer, Kenny Maclean FRSGS.

  • Stop Climate Chaos Scotland: An Interview

    Stop Climate Chaos Scotland: An Interview

    After 14 years, Mike Robinson stepped down from the charity coalition he established: Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. In this interview with Jo Woolf, he speaks about his lifelong passion for environmental issues and his hopes for the future.

  • Shackleton at the RSGS: A Sketch

    Shackleton at the RSGS: A Sketch

    This is an attempt to explain why there are no newspaper cuttings in the RSGS archives from early 1904 until late 1905. This is approximately the length of Shackleton’s tenure as Secretary...

  • What an Emergency Looks Like

    What an Emergency Looks Like

    "In the case of coronavirus, despite some amount of confusion, at least we now know what an emergency response looks like," writes Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of RSGS.

  • Hamish MacInnes: ‘the Fox of Glen Coe’

    Hamish MacInnes: ‘the Fox of Glen Coe’

    "MacInnes will be fondly remembered for his independent spirit, altruism, courage, modesty, and not least for his sense of humour. Thousands of people owe their lives to him, either directly via rescue missions, or through safety equipment and training. While he loved all mountains, his heart was in Scotland"

  • COP26 Postponed

    COP26 Postponed

    "Postponing the relevant UN COPs was inevitable, but we need to see them as essential pre-planning, and re-schedule them as soon as circumstance allows," writes Mike Robinson, RSGS Chief Executive.

  • Erskine Beveridge: the Dunfermline Geographer

    Erskine Beveridge: the Dunfermline Geographer

    "Beveridge's photographs could be dismissed as a romantic view of Scotland but, as well as castles and mountains, they also capture a historical geography and social history..." writes Bruce Gittings FRSGS

  • An Interview with Levison Wood

    An Interview with Levison Wood

    “It’s about showing what a region is really like through the eyes of the people who live there.” Explorer Levison Wood speaks to RSGS Writer-in-Residence, Jo Woolf.

  • The Climate Emergency: One Year On

    The Climate Emergency: One Year On

    "Although coronavirus is quite rightly dominating our thoughts and immediate concerns, the climate emergency hasn't gone away." An interview with Mike Robinson and Professor Dave Reay.

  • An Interview with Calum Maclean

    An Interview with Calum Maclean

    For our Young Geographer magazine published in 2019, our team of Editors sat down with BBC presenter and wild-swimmer Calum Maclean. The magazine article was published in Gaelic, but we're pleased to share the English version online!

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Chief Executive Climate Change & Environment Opinion RSGS History & People Travel & Adventure Writer-in-Residence

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