We were delighted to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to author and conservationist Clifton Bain, for his crucial work towards the conservation of peatlands, and promoting public awareness of their importance. Read more
'It was while he was dangling in mid-air, making painful progress towards a tiny ledge on the vertical rock face of Roraima, that Hamish MacInnes noticed his rope was badly frayed'... RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf reflects on Hamish MacInnes' expedition up Roraima by its hardest route. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf reflects on the journey of Sir Everard Im Thurn in leading the first successful expedition to the summit of Mount Roraima. Read more
Our Chief Executive, Mike Robinson, was delighted to receive the Cairncross Trophy for his services to Perth, from Joe Cairns, President of the Rotary Club of Perth. Read more
Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.
We were delighted to present the Tivy Education Medal to a group of volunteers and inspirational teachers, for their collective work creating free geography lessons for Scottish secondary students forced to work and study at home during lockdown. Read more
As we approach the New Year, we reflect on some of the activities we have been involved in during 2021 at RSGS, and what we have achieved. Read more
When the weather outside was frightful, Captain Fred Burnaby was pole-vaulting across the Volga and battling across the frozen Kazakh steppe in a sleigh drawn by three camels, written by RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf. Read more
When Charles Darwin looked at the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, he was seeking evidence that would support his personal theory about their formation. He was looking for seashells - or, more precisely, marine fossils. On this occasion, however, he was wrong. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf interviews recent Scottish Geographical Medal recipient Professor Roger Crofts, former Chair of RSGS, who reflects on his life and career in Scottish nature conservation. Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In the early hours of 21st July 1969, inside the small, cramped space of their landing capsule, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were trying to get to sleep... Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more
"Shackleton held audiences in the palm of his hand as he described horrifying dangers and deprivations." Written by Jo Woolf, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Read more