Discovering RSGS

© Mike Robinson

Discovering RSGS a rich past – a dynamic present – an inspiring future

“We are all of us geographers in varying degrees. Geography is everywhere: it shapes us, it explains us, it is part of us.”

Mike Robinson, RSGS Chief Executive

Inspiring People Conserving Heritage Exciting Learning Promoting Science Engaging Interest

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RSGS: a better way to see the world

J a oin m u em s be r!

www.rsgs.org

Introducing RSGS

see the world differently

Loch Leven © Craig Aitchison www.landandlight.co.uk

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is an educational charity which promotes an understanding of the natural environment and human societies, and how they interact, making connections, and aiming to inspire people to contribute to society and help solve local and global complex problems.

Geographical understanding is vital to the growth of responsible and sustainable global citizenship, helping us to interpret critical issues – such as population dynamics, health, trade, inequality, the biosphere, ecosystems, natural resource limits, energy, urbanisation – and encouraging the thinking necessary to find solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?

With arguably the greatest geological diversity of any country in the world, and a rich tradition of exploring and settling new lands, it is no wonder that Scotland played such a strong and inspirational role in the development of geographical sciences and established its own geographical society.

Michael Palin RSGS Livingstone Medallist

Launched in 1884, the RSGS has a distinguished history of supporting and promoting geographical exploration, research and education, focusing on the current issues of the day, from 19th century

1884

Distinguished cartographer John George Bartholomew, David Livingstone’s daughter Agnes Livingstone-Bruce, and Professor of Geology James Geikie, together determined to establish a Scottish Geographical Society.

Discovering RSGS

Anyone can become a member, helping us to inspire and encourage people to want to learn more about The exploration of space marked a turning point in human education. the world.

Only when we finally saw our world from space did the penny finally drop European exploration of Africa to 21st century research into global climate change. We seek to increase public understanding and appreciation of the breadth and depth of geographical issues that surround us – physical, human, environmental, historical, technological.

that the Earth is a complete and finite system. This has, after a generation, started to shift fundamentally the way we think. There is a growing understanding of the interdependence of people, and of course of the impacts of humanity on the Earth’s systems – on biodiversity, on habitats, on the oceans, on the forests and soils, on the atmosphere, the ozone layer, and the climate. For the first time in human history, we need to learn to live sustainably. Our aim is to help inspire and inform people to address this.

This booklet is a brief introduction to our background, our principal areas of work, and our future aspirations – who we are, what we do, and where we’re going next. I hope you will find it of interest and, if you are not already involved with the RSGS, I hope you will be inspired to join us, to support us, to volunteer with us, or all three!

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive

1887

Queen Victoria granted permission to add “Royal” to the Society’s title.

Exploring Geography

visit us in Perth In summer 2011, we opened our stunning public visitor and education centre in the Fair Maid’s House in Perth, next door to our office in Lord John Murray House, creating a new geographical heart of Scotland. The facility allows us to store and display items of our collection, to host touring exhibitions, to hold specail events, and to welcome schools, other groups, and individuals. It provides a base for academic researchers and those planning trips, and for people just wanting to spend time in a beautiful place.

The Education It gives us a fantastic opportunity Room has information to explain geography and to and activities explore geographical issues, particularly for children, such through stories about inspiring as this wall map people and illustrations of that illustrates the Earth’s interesting topics. tectonic plates.

The Shackleton Room, in Lord John Murray House, is available for hire.

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.

John Muir

1890

The Explorers’ Room celebrates the great explorers and the spirit of physical and intellectual exploration which have driven the RSGS and its supporters for more than 130 years. It is a space in which people can chat, discuss issues of the day, and plan their own trips and adventures.

Sir Henry Morton Stanley, famed for his exploration of Africa, opened RSGS’s first headquarters and talked about his work. He was awarded the Society’s first Gold Medal, later known as the Scottish Geographical Medal.

Discovering RSGS

view the exhibitions

The Earth Room allows visitors to view the Earth as if from space, and is full of fascinating facts about current affairs and global geographical issues.

The Fair Maid’s House is our first visitor and education centre, open to the public and available for special events.

The Cuthbert Room houses most of the RSGS’s intriguing collection of historical maps ad atlases, and includes a small display for maps of topical interest. © Fergus Gill

© Jeremy Hunter

We regularly host public exhibitions on a variety of geographical themes.

Past exhibitions have included stunning photographs of wildlife, travel, adventure, culture, landscapes and tribal societies.

1902

© Lukasz Warzecha

The Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, led by William Speirs Bruce on the Scotia, set out. The expedition was 95% funded by RSGS and its supporters.

Conserving Heritage

explore our collections The RSGS has an intriguing and fascinating collection of tens of thousands of historical and contemporary maps, atlases, books, journals, papers, photographs, drawings, paintings, scientific instruments and personal artefacts, relating to the whole world, but especially to Scotland and the many areas of the world penetrated and settled by Scots. Largely housed in the RSGS’s new visitor centre, the collection is now accessible to the public as never before.

Books, Journals & Papers The RSGS collection includes hundreds of historical and contemporary books, journals and papers.

Plane at Fort Resolution, Mackenzie River, 1933-34

Photographs The collection contains hundreds of thousands of still and moving images, some with accompanying listings and diaries, from decades of travel across most of the world’s countries and territories, recording scenes and events that may never be seen again. It includes antique glass lantern slides, many of which relate to past expeditions mounted by the RSGS.

Drawings & Paintings Large bound volumes of beautifully drawn etchings such as this example from Hay’s Illustrations of Cairo, 1840, drawn on stone by J C Bourne, were a popular 19th century way of showing people in the UK what life might be like in other parts of the world.

There is no department of geographical work in which Scotsmen have not taken a prominent and honourable part.

Arthur Silva White Scottish Geographical Society Secretary, 1885-92

1904

Sir Ernest Shackleton, returning from the Discovery expedition to the Antarctic, became Secretary of the Society. Captain Robert Falcon Scott received the Livingstone Medal and William Speirs Bruce was awarded the Gold Medal.

Discovering RSGS

Archives The RSGS has a small but important archive of material relating to past expeditions, voyages and the work of famous explorers, together with records of the activities of the Society since its founding.

Early Maps The outline of this highly decorative 1689 map of Scotland

by Nicolaes Visscher of Amsterdam is based on earlier maps by both Dutch and French mapmakers, many of whom would not have visited Scotland and were therefore reliant on outlines and information culled from a variety of sources.

This sometimes added to the errors, particularly in the transcription of place-names and the depiction of the coast and islands.

St Kilda

Items in the collection form a valuable part of Scotland’s heritage, often providing the sole records of people, places and events, and including unique items such as photographic records of early polar exploration, photographs by and of eminent explorers and mountaineers, particularly associated with RSGS expeditions, expedition reports and diaries, and the RSGS’s own archive.

With 30,000 books and 100,000 maps and artefacts, there is something to interest everyone in our extensive collections.

1908

The Society established the first Lecturer in Geography at the University of Edinburgh.

Similar posts soon followed at the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Exciting Learning

support our work with schools The role of the RSGS is to inform and inspire people to want to know more about our planet, about how it works, and about the impact it has on us and we have on it.

Reading, writing and arithmetic are pure skills, but through geography we learn how to stitch them together. We have places and people to read about. We have journeys and issues to write about. We have environmental and social subjects to do calculations about. And we can learn citizenship, social responsibility, the rule of consequences, and much of the background to some of the most defining issues of this century.

The RSGS is working at both policy and practical levels to develop and promote geographical teaching and learning in schools. We have a range of teaching resources that are suitable for primary and secondary school children. We are working with the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers to encourage head teachers and government to understand the central role geography can play in introducing children to science and encouraging cross-subject learning;and we host school visits and run projects that encourage the direct involvement of schoolchildren in geographical activities and learning.

School visits allow young people to meet inspiring people like explorer Matt Dickinson speaking here to pupils at Perth High School.

People protect what they love.

The school geography department often takes the lead in encouraging outdoor learning and co-ordinating field trips. It is vital we maintain the practical first-hand aspect of educating young people.

1912

Jacques Cousteau

The Association of Scottish Teachers of Geography was formed with the guidance of the RSGS. The Society’s rooms were lit by electricity.

Discovering RSGS

This island was the subject of several questions in the examination on Geographical Terms and the Interpretation of Maps, Scotland’s first school geography exam. Organised by the RSGS’s Education Committee, and open to all pupils of elementary and secondary schools in Scotland, the examination attracted 204 candidates from 10 schools, and was held at Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Nairn, Addiewell and Gersa, superintended

by RSGS members.

We introduced the first school geography exam in Scotland, in 1888, and we still work with teachers and schools today.

We developed our Climate Change Storymat to help young children understand how the Earth works, including habitats, biodiversity, climate and weather.

Our ‘Stories in the Land’ project activities helped children to reconnect with their natural environment; here they are learning to make nettle rope.

Our project to paint a large world map onto school playgrounds across Scotland, complemented by a range of teaching materials and activities that really bring the maps to life, gives us a fantastic opportunity to help engage children’s curiosity and encourage a broader understanding of our world.

1923

The mountaineer George Herbert Leigh Mallory, who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest, addressed the Society on Climbing Mount Everest, 1922.

Inspiring People

come to our public talks Our first series of public talks was given in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen in 1884-85 by Henry Morton Stanley, recently returned from the Congo and from previously ‘finding’ David Livingstone in Africa.

Over the years since then, the RSGS has inspired thousands of audiences by charting and celebrating the progression of human endeavour, often with firsthand accounts from men and women who were giants in their field – from polar explorers to astronauts, from pioneering mountaineers to round-the-world sailors, and from leading scientific researchers to well-known media presenters.

Our illustrated public talks have given insights into the expeditions of early travellers and traders, into the scientific studies and discoveries of academics and researchers, and into the pioneering adventures of explorers of Africa and the poles, of the widest oceans and the highest mountains, and of our solar system and space.

Now we run the best national talks programme in Scotland, Inspiring People, with around 100 illustrated talks given each year across mainland Scotland from Inverness to Dumfries, by excellent speakers – explorers, adventurers, travellers, scientists, artists, academics, writers, photographers, journalists, humanitarians, naturalists, indigenous leaders, communicators, and enthusiasts – all with fascinating stories to tell.

One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.

Henry Miller

We have organised over 5,000 talks since 1884, and we now run c100 public talks each year across Scotland.

HM Stanley

Ernest Shackleton

Robert Falcon Scott

John Blashford-Snell

Tim Emm

Rod Macdonald

1925

Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole, spoke to the Society in Edinburgh and received the Livingstone Medal.

Discovering RSGS

Craig Mathieson Lewis Gordon Pugh

Rosie Swale-Pope

Cameron McNeish Jasper Winn

Edmund Hillary Emily Penn Kari Herbert

Stephen Venables John Pilkington

Matt Dickinson

Dee Caffari

Leo Houlding

Doug Scott

mett

Iain Stewart

1931

Laurie Campbell

Tori James

The Society founded the Chair of Geography, the first Professorship of Geography in Scotland, at the University of Edinburgh.

Recognising Achievement

celebrate people who inspire you Since the awarding of the first RSGS Gold Medal to H M Stanley in 1890, the RSGS’s prestigious Medals and Awards have allowed us to recognise outstanding contributions made by individuals or organisations in a range of geographical fields.

Medal presentation events have given opportunities for people to meet and hear from some of the greatest names of their day, including H M Stanley, W S Bruce, Captain R F Scott, Roald Amundsen, Thor Heyerdahl, Edmund Hillary, John G Bartholomew, Vivian Fuchs, Prof Wreford Watson, Neil Armstrong, Médecins Sans Frontières, Kate Adie, John C Bartholomew, Michael Palin, Ray Mears, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Dick Balharry, Lindsey Hilsum, and Annie Lennox.

Since 1888, the RSGS has also regularly awarded Honorary Fellowships in recognition of services to the Society and to geography. One of our first Fellows was Joseph Thomson, the famous Scottish explorer of Africa.

Neil Armstrong

Kate Adie Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Roald Amundsen

Michael Palin

Rune Gjeldnes

We have awarded Medals to more than 300 of the most inspiring people of the last century and a quarter.

1939

Lindsey Hilsum

David Attenborough

Annie Lennox

The outbreak of the Second World War saw the Society put its valuable collections into a concrete strong room in case of bombing. Evening lectures were cancelled, although afternoon talks continued.

Discovering RSGS Scottish Geographical Medal:

the highest accolade, awarded for conspicuous merit and a performance of world-wide repute; awarded first in 1890, to H M Stanley.

Coppock Research Medal:

the highest research-specific award, for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through research and publication; awarded first in 1931, as the Research Medal, to Jules Schokalsky, and renamed in honour of Terry Coppock, an exceptional academic geographer and RSGS Vice-President.

Livingstone Medal:

for outstanding service of a humanitarian nature with a clear geographical dimension; endowed by RSGS cofounder Mrs LivingstoneBruce, in memory of her father David Livingstone, and awarded first in 1901, to explorer Sir Harry H Johnston.

Geddes Environment Medal:

for an outstanding contribution to conservation of the built or natural environment and the development of sustainability; named in honour of Patrick Geddes, innovative town planner and early RSGS Council member, and awarded first in 2009, to photographer and film-maker Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

1947

Mungo Park Medal:

for an outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through exploration or adventure in potentially hazardous physical or social environments; named in honour of the Scottish explorer of Africa credited with being the first Westerner to encounter the River Niger, and awarded first in 1930, to Captain Angus Buchanan for his crossing of the Sahara Desert. .

Shackleton Medal:

for leadership and citizenship in a geographical field, in particular in the fields of most current concern to RSGS; named in honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton, inspirational polar explorer and early RSGS Director, and awarded first in 2009, to the Transport Infrastructure & Climate Change Committee of the Scottish Parliament for the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Tivy Education Medal:

for exemplary, outstanding and inspirational teaching, educational policy or other work in formal or informal educational arenas; named in honour of distinguished biogeographer and field studies teacher Joy Tivy, and awarded first in 2008, to Jim Carson OBE.

People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.

President’s Award:

to recognise achievement and celebrate the impact of geographers’ work on wider society; awarded first in 1989.

Bartholomew Globe:

for excellence in the assembly, delivery or application of geographical information through cartography, GIS and related techniques; awarded first in 2000.

Newbigin Prize:

for the most notable contribution to the Journal or any other RSGS publications, during the previous year; named in memory of Dr Marion Isabel Newbigin, early editor of the Scottish Geographical Magazine, and awarded first in 1938.

W S Bruce Medal:

for a notable contribution to zoology, botany, geology, meteorology, oceanography or geography, where new knowledge has been gained through a personal visit to polar regions; named in honour of William Speirs Bruce, polar explorer and early RSGS Council member, and awarded first in 1926.

Edmund Hillary RSGS Livingstone Medallist

The Society put on an exhibition of Early Scottish Maps and Travel at the first Edinburgh International Festival.

Promoting Science

increase your research impact Geography is unique as a discipline, bridging the gap between science, humanities and arts, and as a consequence it teaches us the art of joined-up thinking like no other subject can.

The Scottish Geographical Journal is the RSGS’s learned publication and is a continuation of the Scottish Geographical Magazine, first published in 1885.

The Journal is international in outlook and publishes scholarly articles of original research from any branch of geography and on any part of the world, while at the same time maintaining a distinctive interest in and concern with issues relating to Scotland. Published quarterly, it is available from Taylor & Francis in hard copy or on-line at www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RSGJ and it is free for RSGS members.

Geography and the earth sciences are essentially the way of joining the dots between the physical and the human worlds. You can’t fully understand the way the world works if you don’t understand how people interact with it, and you can’t fully consider human activities and policies if you don’t also take account of the finite nature of resources and the Earth’s own complex and powerful natural processes.

So it is critical that geographical sciences are encouraged. They must not become the accidental victims of funding cuts, or suffer from being constrained inappropriately, because they don’t quite fit into the science or social studies curriculum. In an age of globalised markets and the worldwide web, it has never been more critical to encourage joined-up thinking and to give people the scientific skills to make sense of this complex world.

Research & Expedition Grants

Since its inception, the RSGS and its members have part-funded hundreds of students and explorers in their research, both at home and abroad, from the 1885-86 expedition to New Guinea led by ornithologist and botanist Mr H O Forbes, and the 1902-04 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition on the Scotia led by explorer William Speirs Bruce, to 21st century undergraduate research into community renewable energy projects in the UK and orang-utan response to habitat loss in Borneo.

We work with universities to add impact to current research, and we coordinate expert groups to help inform current policy.

Kusasi, a dominant male orang-utan © Graham L Banes

1951

The Norwegian adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl, lectured at the Society on his Kon-Tiki expedition, in which he sailed 8,000 km by raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands. He was awarded the Society’s Mungo Park Medal.

Discovering RSGS In Edinburgh and Glasgow, staff and students past and present gathered to celebrate one hundred years of teaching since the RSGS had helped establish the university geography departments.

University of Glasgow, 2009 University of Glasgow, 2009

RSGS helped to organise Scotland’s first geodiversity conference, highlighting the importance of geodiversity as an essential underpinning of the natural environment. It heralded the re-awakening of a positive movement to raise awareness of geodiversity functions and services, both at the political level and in communicating its utility to the wider public.

Salisbury Crags - IPR/126-35CY British Geological Survey. © NERC. All rights reserved.

The whole of science, and one is tempted to think the whole of the life of any thinking man, is trying to come to terms with the relationship between yourself and the natural world.

David Attenborough RSGS Livingstone Medallist

1972

Since 1909, the RSGS has offered a silver University Medal, which is now awarded to the outstanding graduating honours geography student in each of the Scottish universities as recommended by heads of department.

Neil Armstrong, part of the Apollo 11 spaceflight which landed the first man on the moon in July 1969, visited the Society and was presented with the Livingstone Medal “for the first landing on the moon”.

Informing Debate

enjoy being a ‘geographer’ For 130 years, the RSGS has worked with and celebrated some of the most outstanding individuals in the fields of science, exploration, education and communication – people like Scott, Hillary, Armstrong and Attenborough, with sparkling stories to tell. And we have been engaged in many of the critical issues and concerns of the day, from mapping and exploration to town planning, flooding and national parks.

Right up to the present, never a day goes by without something of geographical concern in the news. Geography is weather, climate, oceans, volcanoes, deserts, populations, migration, atmosphere, and ecosystems. It is food, agriculture, environment, trade, transport, and sustainability. It is how we live, where we live, why we live there, and how We are we interact. It is our sense of place, our sense of community, and our sense reinforcing the of self. It is the whole of Earth’s history, the whole of Earth’s present importance of geographical thinking interactions, and the whole of Earth’s possible natural and human future.

and science across a wide range of current issues.

There are experts and there are amateurs, but we are all ‘geographers’.

The Geographer

RSGS members and supporters receive our attractive quarterly newsletter, The Geographer. As well as covering stories of general and topical interest, each edition focuses on a particular theme, with a range of short articles that aim to explore the breadth of geographical interests, and help to underline the connections between people and the Earth. The Geographer has been enthusiastically received by its readers.

natural ecosystems

communities & neighbourhoods

conflict & peacerocks & minerals

identity & security

economics & inequality

earthquakes & volcanoes

biodiversity

countryside & natural features

Geography is... mountains & river systems health & drought & flooding climate change wealth & poverty well-being urban planning coastal erosion culture & heritage weather patterns landscape restoration bus & train services sustainability GPS & SatNav continents & countries ...how we make sense oceans & ocean currents of

the world.

property ownership energy & resources localisation & waste & pollution national boundaries globalisation

maps & place names

1984

Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the RSGS, visited the Society to celebrate its centenary.

A series of exhibitions was held throughout Scotland.

Discovering RSGS

connect with our network We believe that people with a better knowledge of geography develop a better understanding of place, together with a greater insight into sustainability, equality and the world in general. That is why we run public talks and events, welcome people to our visitor and education centre, and work in partnership with a range of public, private, academic and voluntary organisations – to increase geographical understanding and problem-solving, and to inspire people to want to find out more.

We have a wealth of geographical knowledge and expertise stored in our archives and collections, and accessible through our members and supporters. We provide specialist advice on geographical issues and on Scotland’s geographical heritage to members of the public, to students and academics, and for television and radio.

We have supporters and networks in every area of Scottish society, and contacts across the UK and internationally.

Geography is a unique and vitally important academic discipline that crosses traditional subject boundaries, links the human and natural worlds, and offers sustainable solutions for many local, regional and global issues. The RSGS Knowledge Exchange Network is helping to bridge the gap between the specialist research areas of university-level academic geography and the broader interest areas of the general public and policy makers. We promote research-based geographical There has never been information to all interest groups in Scotland; a more critical time for communicate research science to public audiences and people to understand the policy makers, to provide a forum for public discussion Earth, its landscapes and and decision making; promote geographical education our role in it. The RSGS in schools, particularly at upper secondary levels; and is helping to make these disseminate information between universities and schools, and between universities. connections.

Professor Iain Stewart RSGS President

2009

The Society launched The Geographer, its highly-regarded quarterly newsletter. Michael Palin received the Livingstone Medal.

Looking Forward

help us to inspire others The RSGS has a tremendous heritage, and we have a great deal of ambition for its future.

We want to inspire people to want to know more about the world, to conserve and share the highest quality collections we can, to see geography as a flourishing subject in our schools, to run the best national talks programme in Scotland, to recognise and celebrate outstanding and inspirational people, to see geography fulfil its potential of ‘joining the dots’, to play a role in the key geographical issues of the day.

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Humankind has never lived sustainably and, until the last couple of decades, probably did not truly believe it needed to. This age of concern in which we now live is a more globalised age than ever before. So, what happens globally affects us locally, and what we do locally can have a global impact. This is both challenging and exciting, and underlines RSGS’s role in helping to increase geographical knowledge and to inspire people to understand more about the world around them.

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We are making great strides towards our goals, but we have much still to do. If you share our ambition and enthusiasm for geography, please help us – we can’t do it without you.

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The RSGS has local groups in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Inverness, Kirkcaldy, Perth and Stirling.

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The groups are run by volunteers, who man the Inspiring People talks and help with local publicity, promotion and fundraising activities. Some of the groups arrange extra events, such as additional talks or guided walks, for local members.

Get in touch if you would like to volunteer.

Think global, act local.

Patrick Geddes RSGS Council Member, 1896-97

2011

This Society has a clear purpose and a bright future, but we need your help to realise our full potential.

The Fair Maid’s House visitor centre was opened, completing RSGS’s move to Perth, and allowing the Society’s work and collections to be made publicly accessible for the first time.

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Discovering RSGS

get involved Join Us! We are supported by c2,500 mem bers – people with an interest in travel, in adventure, in current affairs, in science, in socia l studies, in nature conservation, in people, in the past and in the future. RSGS members help us to do everything described in this booklet.

As a member of the RSGS, you can: • enjoy free access to dozens of informative and inspirational publ ic talks across Scotland, and discounted entry to other talks and events; • explore new ideas, with quar terly copies of our colourful newslette r, The Geographer, and our academic We rely Scottish Geographical Journal; •d elve into our extensive collection on the support s, discover our inspirational herit age, and pursue geographical resea rch enquiries; of our individual • meet like-minded people and find new volunteering opportuni members, ties; • share our fascination with, and donors and passion for, the world around us. volunteers.

Please join the RSGS now, and get to know your world...

I think the RSGS is the best in the world.

I really believe that.

David Hempleman-Adams RSGS Vice-President

Work With Us!

Make a Donation

or Leave a Legac

y!

We rely on gifts from individuals and organisatio work of promotin ns to su g geographical lea new projects wh rning and particip pport much of our core ich will inform an d inspire more pe ation, and to develop exciting All donations he ople about the wo lp to keep RSGS alive. rld around us.

Donations and leg acies in the past have enabled us to: • fund the 1902 -04 Scottish Na tional Antarctic Expedition on the • acquire and co nserve hundred Scotia; s of fascinating available for pe historical maps ople to study an and images, no d enjoy; w • establish our he adquarters in Pe rth, and create the Fair Maid’s our visitor and House; education centr e at • launch our pro ject to paint a lar ge map of the wo across Scotland. rld onto school playgrounds Please consider making a donatio n now, or leavin g a legacy to the RSGS in your Wi ll.

Dozens of volunteers contribut e a wealth of skills, experience and enthusiasm to our cause.

As an RSGS volunteer, you can: • meet and greet speakers and audiences for our public talks at venues across Scotland; • be a visitor guide in our wond erful visitor centre at the Fair Maid ’s House in Perth; • give talks on behalf of the RSGS to local audiences; • promote the work of the RSGS through various media outlets.

Please volunteer to help us now, and make a difference to your world .

2015

Professor Charles Withers was appointed Geographer Royal for Scotland – the first for over a century – at a ceremony in Perth.

Š Lorne Gill

How you can help one of the best small charities in Scotland

give a donation become a member

make a legacy pledge help promote our work

RSGS 15-19 North Port Perth PH1 5LU t: 01738 455050 e: enquiries@rsgs.org www.rsgs.org Scottish Charity No SC015599

volunteer locally

RSGS: a better way to see the world

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