We mark the tercentenary of the birth of James Hutton, who is described as the "Father of Modern Geology". Read more
Adventurer and presenter Simon Reeve visited RSGS HQ in Perth last week ahead of his sold-out event at Perth Concert Hall, to be presented with RSGS Honorary Fellowship. Read more
On Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, we share an insight into his incredible life and career and his connections to RSGS. Read more
RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson reflects on the idea of a social contract - that those who have benefitted from society should pay it forward to younger generations. Read more
Engaging stories, topical articles and fascinating insights from across the RSGS network.
In this captivating new book published by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS), Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf draws on material from RSGS archives as well as personal interviews, to tell fascinating stories of enterprise, innovation and adventure. Read more
It was 12th November, 1904, and RSGS was celebrating its 20th anniversary. Scott, Shackleton and Thomas Robertson of the Scotia were all present at this glittering event, held 120 years ago. Read more
On the morning of 2nd November 1902, the SY Scotia quietly slipped her moorings at Troon and sailed into the Irish Channel. The Scottish National Antarctic Expedition had begun. Read more
On the evening of 1st February 1910, Sir Ernest Shackleton stepped onto the platform in the Kinnaird Hall, Dundee, and prepared to deliver a talk about his recent expedition to the Antarctic. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf looks at explorers throughout history that encountered desert mysteries. Read more
In April 1894, almost exactly 130 years ago, the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen was observing a solar eclipse in the Arctic Ocean... Read more
In the latest addition to the Memorable Maps series, we take a look at this map of the southern half of the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. Read more
On 4th June 1953, exactly 70 years ago this month, RSGS sent a telegram to the members of the British Mount Everest Expedition. It said simply, ‘All Scotland rejoices in your achievement.’ Read more
Kenneth Maclean looks at a 1919 Bartholomew’s Colour-Coded Chronological Map of Edinburgh, which demonstrates the innovative cartographic skills fostered by John George. Read more
This month, RSGS is offering a rare insight into the life and adventures of famed explorer Ernest Shackleton, told through a series of tours around the Fair Maid’s House in Perth. Read more
In the latest addition to the Memorable Maps series, the RSGS Collections Team share a map of Carlisle, which in one area is mysteriously devoid of any features compared to the rest of the map... Read more
After receiving help from the public in identifying some images from from Isobel Wylie Hutchison's solo 260-mile walking tour from Reykjavik to Akureyri, we share what we have learned. Read more
In 1925 Isobel Wylie Hutchison went on a solo 260-mile walking tour from Reykjavik to Akureyri. Isobel recorded her journey in words and photographs, and many of her images are held in RSGS Collections. Can you help us identify these images? Read more
In the second post for the Memorable Maps series, our Collections Team look at the New Economic Map of Scotland (1943), illustrating the main economic regions of Scotland in a single black and white map. Read more
For the first post in a series titled Memorable Maps, the RSGS Collections Team begin with a very appropriate chart for this festive season, featuring Christmas Island, located in the Indian Ocean. Read more
In 1856, a gentleman, apparently a tourist, arrived at the Lochaber Agricultural Society’s dinner just as the party were to sit down to dine, "My name is Rae" he announced at the end of the evening "and you may have heard it associated with the Franklin Expedition." Read more
50 Years since Neil Armstrong received the RSGS Livingstone Medal at Usher Hall in Edinburgh, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf reflects on his journey to becoming the first man on the moon. Read more
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf explores the remarkable life of Jane Digby, the character from Around the World in 80 Days who saves Phileas Fogg and his two companions when they attempt to cross the Empty Quarter of Arabia. Read more
“It is Burns Night! Can one be the only Scot in Greenland and forget to celebrate such a festival? One cannot!” - On Burns Night, RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf writes about Isobel Wylie Hutchinson celebrating the famous poet in Greenland in 1929. Read more
Writer-in-residence Jo Woolf reviews the life and career of legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton, reflecting on his time as Secretary of the RSGS. 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
RSGS Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf investigates a hair-raising mission in Benghazi undertaken by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, the legendary Scottish soldier considered to be one of the inspirations for Ian Fleming's James Bond. 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
"There is always a sense of anticipation!" Written by Jane Griffiths, RSGS Collections Volunteer Read more