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  • Journey with Purpose - Heart of Arabia Expedition

    Journey with Purpose - Heart of Arabia Expedition

    In 1917 St John Philby journeyed east to west across Arabia, from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. 105 years later, the Heart of Arabia Expedition set out to follow in Philby’s footsteps across the Arabian Peninsula Read more

  • Lewis Pugh: an advocate for the world’s oceans

    Lewis Pugh: an advocate for the world’s oceans

    “There could be nothing more symbolic than travelling to the top of the world and swimming across a stretch of open ocean that used to be frozen over." RSGS Writer-in-Residence interviews endurance swimmer and RSGS Mungo Park Medallist Lewis Pugh. Read more

  • Shackleton's Ship Beneath the Ice: A Spirit of Endurance

    Shackleton's Ship Beneath the Ice: A Spirit of Endurance

    Last year, Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea by the Endurance22 expedition. We reflect on the life of Shackleton and this amazing discovery ahead of our talk by the expedition crew this March. Read more

  • Making a Difference through Farming

    Making a Difference through Farming

    We were delighted to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Nigel Miller, Pete Ritchie and Andrew and Seonag Barbour for their outstanding work towards promoting sustainable farming in Scotland Read more

  • Journey with Purpose - Heart of Arabia Expedition
  • Lewis Pugh: an advocate for the world’s oceans
  • Shackleton's Ship Beneath the Ice: A Spirit of Endurance
  • Making a Difference through Farming
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  1. Blog

RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Journey with Purpose - Heart of Arabia Expedition

Journey with Purpose - Heart of Arabia Expedition

In 1917 St John Philby journeyed east to west across Arabia, from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. 105 years later, the Heart of Arabia Expedition set out to follow in Philby’s footsteps across the Arabian Peninsula Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 24th February, 2023

Lewis Pugh: an advocate for the world’s oceans

Lewis Pugh: an advocate for the world’s oceans

“There could be nothing more symbolic than travelling to the top of the world and swimming across a stretch of open ocean that used to be frozen over." RSGS Writer-in-Residence interviews endurance swimmer and RSGS Mungo Park Medallist Lewis Pugh. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 17th February, 2023

Author: Jo Woolf

Shackleton's Ship Beneath the Ice: A Spirit of Endurance

Shackleton's Ship Beneath the Ice: A Spirit of Endurance

Last year, Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea by the Endurance22 expedition. We reflect on the life of Shackleton and this amazing discovery ahead of our talk by the expedition crew this March. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 9th February, 2023

Updated: 13th February, 2023

Author: Jo Woolf

Making a Difference through Farming

Making a Difference through Farming

We were delighted to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Nigel Miller, Pete Ritchie and Andrew and Seonag Barbour for their outstanding work towards promoting sustainable farming in Scotland Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 6th January, 2023

The Challenger Expedition:  peering into the abyss

The Challenger Expedition: peering into the abyss

It has been called the Apollo mission of the Victorian era.  In December 1872, exactly 150 years ago, the Royal Navy ship HMS Challenger set sail on an extraordinary four-year voyage around the world... Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 16th December, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

The Nukak - The last contacted tribe in Colombia fighting to return home for more than 30 years.

The Nukak - The last contacted tribe in Colombia fighting to return home for more than 30 years.

With the upcoming edition of The Geographer themed on Colombia, we share an article about The Nukak, the last Indigenous people to be contacted by mainstream Colombian society, and one of the last nomadic tribes in the country. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 2nd December, 2022

Thor Heyerdahl:  six men, one balsa raft and 4,300 miles of Pacific Ocean

Thor Heyerdahl: six men, one balsa raft and 4,300 miles of Pacific Ocean

In celebration of the birthday of Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf reflects on his life and the renowned Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 5th October, 2022

Updated: 7th October, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

Reflections on a Funeral and a Legacy Fit for a Queen…

Reflections on a Funeral and a Legacy Fit for a Queen…

Exactly one week before RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson had the honour of attending the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, he was in Perth Foodbank, hearing about the challenges of front line staff. In this blog, he reflects on a week of contrasts. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 21st September, 2022

Author: Mike Robinson

The Slow Road to Edinburgh

The Slow Road to Edinburgh

"As a lifetime supporter of public transport, I found it incredibly disheartening, that after taking the train from Perth to Edinburgh this week, I really wish I hadn’t..." RSGS CEO Mike Robinson reflects on our Scottish railways. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 16th September, 2022

Updated: 21st September, 2022

Author: Mike Robinson

Comments: 5

RSGS Inspiring People Talks 2022-23

RSGS Inspiring People Talks 2022-23

We are delighted to announce the programme for our 2022-23 Inspiring People talks, featuring a stellar line-up of speakers, held in person at our 13 Local Groups across Scotland. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 26th August, 2022

Comments: 1

RSGS Honorary Fellowship Awarded to Climate Solutions Team

RSGS Honorary Fellowship Awarded to Climate Solutions Team

Last week we were very pleased to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Galina Toteva, Robert Fleeting and David Geddes, for their contributions over the last 6 years in delivering the Climate Solutions courses. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 19th August, 2022

Claire Mack FRSGS

Claire Mack FRSGS

We were delighted to present RSGS Honorary Fellowship to Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, for overseeing significant growth in the renewable energy sector, and showcasing her dedication to implementing renewable energy across Scotland. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 8th August, 2022

Updated: 12th August, 2022

Branklyn Garden and the plantsmen who built a Himalayan dream

Branklyn Garden and the plantsmen who built a Himalayan dream

Branklyn Garden has been described as ‘the finest two acres of private garden in the country’. Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf wanted to find out more about the history of this beautiful garden, which is celebrating its centenary this year. Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 22nd July, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

Amundsen and Scott in the Great Tay Boat Race

Amundsen and Scott in the Great Tay Boat Race

Artist Michael Durning was inspired to celebrate Scottish explorers, and at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society HQ he found that Amundsen’s race to the South Pole began in Perth! Read more

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 12th July, 2022

Updated: 15th July, 2022

Medals Awarded to Chalk Talks Team

Medals Awarded to Chalk Talks Team

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 17th June, 2022

Clifton Bain FRSGS

Clifton Bain FRSGS

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 10th June, 2022

Straight up The Prow:  Roraima by The Hardest Route (Roraima Part 2)

Straight up The Prow: Roraima by The Hardest Route (Roraima Part 2)

'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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 1st April, 2022

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

Sir Everard Im Thurn and an expedition to ‘The Lost World' (Roraima Part 1)

Sir Everard Im Thurn and an expedition to ‘The Lost World' (Roraima Part 1)

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 25th March, 2022

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

RSGS CEO Receives Award for Services to Perth

RSGS CEO Receives Award for Services to Perth

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 16th March, 2022

Updated: 5th April, 2022

A Fruitful 2021 at RSGS

A Fruitful 2021 at RSGS

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 17th December, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Mike Robinson

A Sleigh Ride in the Snow

A Sleigh Ride in the Snow

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 9th December, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

Comments: 2

Charles Darwin and the ‘horrid shelves’ of Glen Roy

Charles Darwin and the ‘horrid shelves’ of Glen Roy

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 8th October, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

An Interview with Professor Roger Crofts

An Interview with Professor Roger Crofts

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 1st October, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

The 1975 British Everest Expedition

The 1975 British Everest Expedition

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

Posted to: RSGS Blog

Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.

Published: 24th September, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2022

Author: Jo Woolf

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    In 1916 Ernest Shackleton's beloved ship Endurance was crushed by ice and sank to the depths of the Weddell Sea, but what followed was an astonishing story of courage and survival.

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