About Us

Who We Are

With the support of more than 2,700 Members, c120 volunteers, and six staff, we are a small, flexible organisation, striving to increase geographical understanding. Read more

Our Philosophy

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a dynamic educational charity with far-reaching influence and a mission to inspire and inform. Read more

Our Impact

We provide informed, intelligent, insightful commentary on world issues from a geographical perspective. Read more

Public Events

Our Inspiring People talks in 2020 will all be held virtually, via Zoom. Details here. Read more

The Geographer

We publish an attractive and informative quarterly magazine, The Geographer. Read more

We are at the heart of a community of interest – an RSGS family of individuals and organisations working together, part of an international network of geographical expertise and achievement. Read more

Governance Documents

The RSGS’s governing constitution, current strategic plan, latest accounts and latest AGM minutes can be downloaded here. Read more

Informing Policy

We engage in policy discussions with national government departments, international bodies, local authorities, community organisations, schools, universities, companies, NGOs and others. Read more

Schools Education

We are a champion for geographical education in Scottish schools, involved in policy discussions, promoting geography in schools, and projects. Read more

University Research

We promote geographical research in Scottish universities, offer ‘knowledge exchange’ opportunities, and publish a peer-reviewed academic journal. Read more

Heritage Collections

We conserve and curate heritage collections of more than 100,000 historical and contemporary maps, and a wide variety of books, artefacts and archives. Read more

Innovative Projects

We develop exciting projects to inspire public audiences, influence policy-makers, and solve complex problems. Read more

Latest

Sustainable Perth Conference 2020

Perth has a quality of environment and landscape that few cities can match and makes it one of the healthiest places in the country to live, work and grow up. Being one of the smallest of the seven cities in Scotland, there is a real opportunity to lead and showcase sustainable solutions and become the envy of Europe.

Net Zero: Is Hydrogen Over-Hyped?

"I believe that hydrogen has a limited role in decarbonisation, and that businesses with a vested interest in promoting hydrogen are doing so at the expense of British consumers," writes Tom Baxter, Professor of Chemical Engineering

Litter in Lancashire: How Covid-19 Has Accelerated the UK’s Litter Problem

"Litter has been yet another victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. As more people have ventured out into the great British countryside, their litter has followed," writes Laura Brown, a Geography Student from Lancaster University.

October 2020

October e-newsletter of the RSGS: Jeremy Bowen, Farming for 1.5, Perth Conference, Teach Meet, Climate Emergency Summit on Food, GeoQuizzical, Festival of Politics, Inspiring People At Home

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

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.

An Evening with Jeremy Bowen

In his talk, Jeremy will provide riveting anecdotes from a life reporting on the front line, with insight from dictators, fanatics and fundamentalists, as well as ordinary people caught up in their dangerous exploits. Expect Jeremy to cast a welcome light onto some of the most complex areas of the world.