The Geographer

We publish an attractive and informative quarterly magazine, The Geographer. Each edition explores a different geographical theme, with a range of short articles from experts and enthusiasts. Over the years, we have received contributions from the Dalai Lama, Senator John Kerry, Mary Robinson, Helen Sharman, Annie Lennox, plus a whole host of senior academics, policy makers, managers in the NGO community and many more.

Members receive printed copies of the magazine in early March, June, September and December. Three months after publication, copies are made available to read electronically on issuu or via the PDF links below.

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Promoting Science Fund

The Promoting Science Fund supports the costs of awarding RSGS grants, allowing us to fund more geographical research work and expeditions.

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

Climate Emergency Summits

Our Climate Emergency Summits provide a space for motivated people from across the sectors to come together in a safe and open workshop environment to offer solutions to the climate emergency.
Everyone is a Geographer
The World's Carrying Capacity

Life on Earth is part of one great independent system which depends on the biosphere: the atmosphere, oceans, freshwaters, rocks and soil.
Innovative Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.
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

"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.
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

"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

“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.
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!
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.