A World of
Opportunity Going Places With Geography “The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.� Eden Phillpotts
A Guide for Scottish Secondary Pupils and Parents Reasons to Learn Geography at School Advantages of Studying a Geographical Degree at University Career Opportunities With Geography
RSGS: a better way to see the world
2
A World of Opportunity
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is an educational charity that has a distinguished history of supporting and promoting geographical education, research and exploration. Please contact us or visit our website for more information on our work, including our publications, national public talks programme, visitor centre opening times, and membership details. We hope you will consider joining us and sharing your passion for, and fascination with, our world. RSGS, Lord John Murray House, 15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU tel: 01738 455050 email: enquiries@rsgs.org www.rsgs.org
Scottish Charity No SC015599
Acknowledgements This publication was originally compiled in 2015. RSGS appreciates the assistance given by Jim Bruce, Erica Caldwell, Alister Hendrie, other members of the RSGS Education Committee, and those who worked on the original publication in 2001. Thanks also to Stefano Andreottola for his graphic design work, and to all contributors. We are grateful to the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) for their contribution towards the costs of printing this edition.
A World of Opportunity 14-3
Contents Introduction .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4
What is Geography? .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
6
Why should I choose Geography? .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
6
Will Geography help me to get a job? .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 8
Combining Geography with other subjects .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10
What will I study in National 4/5 Geography? .
.
.
.
.
.
.
12
Why should I choose Higher Geography? .
.
.
.
.
.
.
14
.
Why should I choose Advanced Higher Geography? .
.
.
.
.
.
15
Why study Geography at university? .
.
.
.
.
.
16
.
.
.
What is it like to study Geography at university? . Conclusion . Contacts .
. .
The Geographer .
.
.
.
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. 17 20
. .
. 21 .
22
4
A World of Opportunity
Introduction
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, communications and sustainability. It is how we live, where we live, why we live there, and how we interact. It is our sense of place, our sense of community, and our sense of self. It is the whole of Earth’s history, the whole of Earth’s present interactions, and the whole of Earth’s possible natural and human future. It is not surprising that many enjoy and choose to study Geography. It is a dynamic subject that provides real insight into the world around us, and combines naturally with a range of other subjects, from Physics to Sociology. Geography delivers on citizenship, sustainability and outdoor learning, key driving principles of Curriculum for Excellence, whilst giving children and young people a sense of their place in the world, and encouraging exploration, analysis and joined-up thinking. Due to the broad nature of Geography and associated skill development, choosing Geography is a great way for young people to keep their options open, irrespective of whether they are going into further or higher education or straight into a job. Statistics continually show that studying Geography gives young people a wide range of study and employment options that are linked either directly to the course content, or to the attributes and skills developed during study.
A World of Opportunity 14-5
This booklet has been produced by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for pupils and parents to outline the benefits of choosing to study Geography beyond the compulsory stages, and I sincerely hope that you enjoy getting to know your world, and going places, with Geography.
Mike Robinson Chief Executive Royal Scottish Geographical Society
6
A World of Opportunity
What is Geography? Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, put simply, about the world in which we live. Our world is likely to change rapidly in the next 50 years. Geography helps us to understand the nature of these changes (the who, where, what, why, when and how) and to prepare and plan for the future.
Why should I choose Geography? Learn to think in a holistic way Geography is the most interdisciplinary subject, sitting in a unique position as a bridge between the social sciences (Human Geography) and the natural sciences (Physical Geography). Human Geography topics are concerned with understanding cultures, societies and economies, and Physical Geography topics investigate the environment and the processes that shape the Earth’s landscapes.
Geographers study the interactions between human and physical processes, drawing on (and integrating) a range of other subject areas, from Physics to Sociology. Geography therefore teaches us to think in a ‘joined-up’, holistic way about issues at local, national and global scales.
A World of Opportunity 14-7
Understand Empathise Contribute Be a better informed and more aware citizen
Build your skills for future employers
Geography will help you to be more aware of the everyday lives of the people who live around you, in other parts of the UK, and around the world. Often, the top media stories, such as migration across the Mediterranean, the spread of Ebola in west Africa and the impacts of earthquakes in Nepal, are underpinned by Geography, making Geography a hugely exciting, relevant and dynamic subject to study.
Many of the transferable skills that are developed through studying Geography, including research and data collection skills, report writing, time management and organisation, communication and interpersonal skills, use of IT, numeracy, problem-solving and group work skills, will help you in the future, no matter what your future path might be. Subjectspecific skills include producing sketches and graphs, as well as the practical skills of fieldwork and data collection and analysis. Choosing Geography is a great way to remain flexible and keep your options open for the future as it offers a broad knowledge base alongside skill development. In the 21st century, it is likely that you will have a varied career path, and Geography equips you with a range of skills and knowledge that will give you a flexible approach to work.
Geographers study the majority of today’s most pressing challenges and in understanding complex issues more fully, are best placed to offer solutions. Examples include, climate change, energy resources, natural disasters, land use conflicts, the globalisation of trade, transport and health planning and inequalities. Geography provides us with knowledge and understanding that allows us to tackle local problems, as well as global issues.
Geography helps you to understand the world around you, and develop useful skills, whatever your future path may be. Rachel Hay, Geography Teacher
8
A World of Opportunity
Will Geography help me to get a job? The answer is a resounding YES! Geography was recently named as one of the few recession-proof degrees, meaning that Geography graduates’ employability remained high, despite the economic downturn. Geography allows you to explore questions about the planet and how it works, forming a solid foundation for lifelong learning, no matter what your future path may be.
Geographers can…
Geographers are…
Research, and write concise reports
Confident communicators
Ask questions and find the answers
Critical thinkers
Make informed decisions about complex issues
Socially and environmentally aware
Carry out fieldwork tasks in ‘the real world’
Problem solvers
Solve problems
Effective team players
Handle data
Computer literate
Use maps with confidence
Independent, flexible thinkers
Geography is an adaptable, interesting and relevant subject, which develops excellent transferable skills that are of use in a wide variety of careers. Liz Crisp, Geography Teacher/SAGT
A World of Opportunity 14-9
Geographers work in a wide variety of fields. Geography directly relates to careers in: •
Renewable energy
•
Town and transport planning
•
Environmental management and conservation
•
Travel and tourism
•
Education, including teaching
•
Housing and social welfare
•
Resource exploration and extraction e.g. mining, petroleum
•
Work in the charity sector e.g. aid agencies
Geography also provides skills suited to a wide range of other careers. From postcodes to ‘Sat Navs’, much of our IT is now location-based, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has grown rapidly to become an essential tool in business organisations and government. The result is more opportunities for geographers at a time when competition for jobs is higher than ever before. The skills developed during Geography courses, including data and map analysis and exposure to GIS, link to careers in:
• IT • Administration, logistics and business management • Financial services • Retail and marketing • Research and development • Industry
I studied Geography at university, including modules in Urban Geography and Climatology, before completing a law conversion course. A classmate of mine is now a chartered accountant in Abu Dhabi! Geography definitely helps you to keep your options open! Richard Hogwood, partner in Family Law, Stewarts Law LLP
10
A World of Opportunity
Geography Geography with‌
Potential careers
Art & Design; Technology; Graphic Communication
advertising, architecture, cartography, landscape design, town planning
Biology; Chemistry
environmental health, nature conservation, agriculture
Physics
volcanology, earthquake monitoring, surveying, meteorology
History
archaeology, law, museums, libraries, publishing
Modern Languages
international business and marketing, leisure and tourism
Maths
civil engineering, meteorology, mining, air traffic control, market research, international business, accountancy, surveying
Computing
town and transport planning using GIS, logistics, web design, health service planning
Various subjects
leisure services, sport and recreation management, social work, youth work, local government, teaching, transport services, financial services, civil service, NHS, secretary/PA, police, armed forces
11 A World of Opportunity 14-
Studying Geography at St Andrews taught me to think critically and creatively about the world in which we live. It is a truly varied and fascinating subject which has informed so much of my work since; from the meteorology I have needed to fly helicopters, through to understanding the human impact of elephant and rhino conservation in Africa. There is so much still to discover in the world, and Geography is an excellent place to start. HRH The Duke of Cambridge
Geography literally means ‘writing about the earth’, and that is what I have been doing since graduating with my BSc (Hons) in Environmental Chemistry and Geography in 2007. I always enjoyed learning about the physical features of our planet and studying how human activity affects, and is affected by, the environment, so my degree subjects felt like a natural choice. Dr Helen Murray, Assistant Scientist, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
I’ve always had a burning desire to explore the world. I graduated with a BA Honours in Geography from Strathclyde University, before completing an MSc in GIS at Edinburgh University, preparing me for a career in digital mapping. The distinct advantage of studying Geography is you’re not pigeon-holed into a set career path or specific industry sector, although there are plenty of opportunities to specialise, like I have in GIS. Wendy Campbell, GIS Data Manager, Natural Power
12
A World of Opportunity
What will I study in National 4/5 Geography? Studying Geography will help you to understand our physical world: •
Weather
•
Landscape types: Glaciated uplands and coastal landscapes OR upland limestone, and rivers
Geography will help you to understand human activities in our world: •
Land uses and land use conflicts, including farming and tourism
•
Recent developments in towns, cities and rural landscapes in developed and developing countries
•
Population and migration
•
Development and trade
• Relief efforts after natural disasters
Geography will help you to understand global issues (2): • Climate change • Landscape degradation and management strategies • Methods of prediction for volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tropical storms • Strategies to reduce inequalities in world trade e.g. trade alliances, fair trade • Features, impacts and management of tourism • Causes, effects and strategies adopted to manage diseases in developed and developing countries e.g. AIDS, malaria, heart disease Working on your 20-mark assignment will help you to develop all of these skills, and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a geographical topic or issue of your choice.
I knew as soon as I took Geography that I was going to love it! There is something truly amazing about learning how Earth itself has been formed and shaped over time. Geography reveals how everything and everyone is interdependent. Best of all, it explains why the planet looks and ‘works’ like it does. I have had loads of fun doing field work. Geography includes the widest range of content compared to other subjects, and I know that it is something I will continue to love all my life. Bethany Douglas, S6 pupil
13 A World of Opportunity 14-
In my teens, I was interested in many subjects. Geography suited me well because it’s one of the most comprehensive disciplines that exists. Ranging from glaciers to governments, erosion to economics, it has a bit of everything! So if you’re feeling greedy, go for it! Alexa Martin, Geography graduate
Geography at school was really good fun, and learning key concepts and ideas inspired me to want to know more about Earth. I’m now studying Geography and Earth Science at university, which has really opened my eyes to how these two subjects affect everyday life in so many ways. Robert Tiainen, 1st year, University of Glasgow
14
A World of Opportunity
Why should I choose Higher Geography? Higher Geography allows you to gain a deeper insight into topics and themes covered during the N5 course, and study some new ones too:
Global Issues (2) • Development and Health – indicators, explaining differences between countries, malaria, primary health care
Physical Environments
• Global Climate Change – causes, effects, management strategies
•
Biosphere – soil types and profiles
• River Basin Management
•
Lithosphere – glacial erosion and deposition, coastal erosion and deposition, coastal management, and land use conflicts
• Trade, Aid and Geopolitics
•
Hydrosphere – the hydrological cycle, storm hydrographs
•
Atmosphere – global heat budget, atmospheric and oceanic circulation
Working on your 30-mark assignment will allow you to do some in-depth research into a geographical topic or issue that interests you. Fieldwork is strongly encouraged.
• Energy
Human Environments •
Population - population pyramids, demographic transition, census, migration
•
Urban – reasons for urban growth, traffic management, housing problems, retail
•
Rural – impact and management of rural land degradation
Studying Geography has helped me to understand the forces that shaped Scotland’s stunning landscapes, and consider future change. Studying Geography, especially at Higher level, sparked an interest that drove me to choose to study Earth Science at university. Katy Mellor-Jones, S6 pupil
15 A World of Opportunity 14-
Why should I choose Advanced Higher Geography? Advanced Higher Geography is a varied and challenging course during which you will develop confidence in using a wide range of geographical methods and techniques for analysing and interpreting geographical data. You will further develop your ability to think critically about geographical issues.
Your teacher will guide you through the course, but the onus will be on you to carry out fieldwork and research to produce a field work report and an essay on geographical issues that interest you. This course is great preparation for university study.
16
A World of Opportunity
Why study Geography at university? • Choose to study Geography because it is a subject you enjoy and want to study further. It is important that it suits your capabilities and motivates you to find out more about the wider world.
• Geography is so broad that it gives you a chance to pursue wide interests before specialising. Some people gain a Geography degree before specialising with a Masters degree, or going on to further training e.g. accountancy, law, teaching.
• Most employers are looking for wellrounded graduates with a range of skills rather than specialists who focus on a narrow area of study. Geography courses are ideally suited to help you to develop these skills in the context of a wide range of interesting and relevant subject material.
I was always fascinated by documentaries on Discovery and National Geographic so chose to study Geography in Dundee. I am now studying a MSc in ‘Water Hazards, Risk and Resilience’ in Dundee, which is about tsunamis, storms and landslides and their impacts on people. It’s fascinating! John Simpson, MSc student, University of Dundee
17 A World of Opportunity 14-
What is it like to study Geography at university? Choosing to study Geography at university opens up a huge range of possible modules. Courses usually offer a broad base for the first two years of the programme, with compulsory modules, then allow you to select more specialised modules in 3rd and 4th year. Courses focus on skill development, including training in research methods and data analysis, as well as allowing you to develop your understanding of the world around you.
The image below shows some selected module titles from universities across Scotland, and demonstrates the broad scope of the material covered and contemporary nature of issues that are tackled.
18
A World of Opportunity
Craig Davidson
Gavin Williams
Studying Geography at Glasgow University
Doctoral Researcher in Freshwater Ecology, University of Birmingham
“The first two years at university introduce you to a wide range of topics from cultural, historical and urban geographies, to the more scientific physical or environmental geographies, and their interactions. I am now choosing modules for Honours and there is just so much to choose from! From the Geographies of Political Solidarities and Internationalism, to the Social Geographies of Outsiders, to Limnology: Understanding Lakes…it’s just a shame I can’t do them all! Probably the best thing is the opportunity to meet and work with your fellow students, who soon become friends. Although you are given the skills to work independently, much of the course involves group work, either in labs or tutorials, which allows you to get to know your classmates in a way that might not happen on other courses. Field trips are one of the best things about studying Geography! During the field trips you learn much more than you would in lecture theatre, but there is also the chance to socialise. In third year our “compulsory” field trip is to spend a week in the sun in Mallorca! As someone who wasn’t even sure that they were going to study Geography until the UCAS deadline, I can’t recommend it enough and honestly could not imagine studying anything else.”
“I studied Geography at school and went on to study it further at college as I enjoyed it so much. At college, I decided that I preferred Physical Geography, particularly global environmental issues. I then studied BSc Environmental Science at university. Studying Geography helped me to get onto the degree course. Now I am studying a PhD, looking at climate change in rivers. I get to do fieldwork and attend conferences in some great locations, which is great! After my PhD, I could continue my research at universities, or even go into conservation work, consultancy or something else, but I plan to teach Geography in schools.”
Choosing to study Geography was one of the best things I have ever done. It has allowed me to travel to some of the most remote areas of the planet, such as the Himalayas and Greenland, and enabled me to properly understand them and the issues they are facing. Cameron Mackay, 2nd year, University of Glasgow
19 A World of Opportunity 14-
Zoe Robinson Studying Geography at Glasgow University
“Studying Earth Science at University has been incredibly rewarding. I love the subject and the in-depth knowledge it has given me of the systems and processes at work within the Earth, both past and present. Studying at university provides me with a lot more freedom than at school. Choosing and specialising in a subject that grabs your attention and motivates you makes studying very easy because you naturally want to know and understand more. Seeing passionate lecturers not only teaching, but carrying out their own research also inspires you and makes you think about all your options for the future. Ultimately, my degree in Earth Science will satisfy my aspiration to learn and discover as much as possible about our complex planet. I hope to travel and spend time in the field, potentially working with mineral exploration and mapping companies.�
20
A World of Opportunity
Conclusion We hope that this publication has given you an insight into the broad, relevant and exciting nature of Geography, alongside the wealth of travel and employment opportunities the subject offers. Now, whenever anyone says ‘Geography is just about flags and colouring in’, we hope that you can put them right!
We very much hope that you will enjoy getting to know your world and going places with Geography.
What next? • Join RSGS. Keep up to date with the latest geographical news with magazines, newsletters and more. See www.rsgs.org for more information. • Contact your school’s Careers Officer to discuss your options for employment or further study. • If you are intending to go to university, visit the websites for Geography, Environmental Science, Earth Science and Social Science departments. Contact departments for more course information. • Take your time to become familiar with course information from universities in Scotland, as well as further afield, so that you choose the course that best suits your interests and future aspirations.
20
21 A World of Opportunity 14-
Contacts Education Scotland Education Scotland is responsible for supporting quality and improvement in learning and teaching. You can find support documents for Geography on their website. www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Scotland’s national body for qualifications (excluding university degrees), the SQA provides information on National Qualifications, including course outlines, past exam papers and marking instructions. www.sqa.org.uk
Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) The SAGT is one of the most active subject associations in Scotland. They organise an annual conference for teachers are involved in policy work with the SQA, alongside the RSGS. www.sagteach.org
Geographical Association (GA) The GA is a subject association that produces a wide range of materials to support the teaching and study of Geography. www.geography.org.uk
Geography in Scottish Universities Geography was one of the founding subjects listed in the charter for Edinburgh University in 1583, but it was not taught as a degree subject until 1908, when RSGS Secretary George Chisholm was appointed as the first Lecturer in Geography at Edinburgh. Geographical or Earth sciences can now be studied to degree and post-graduate level at eight Scottish universities: University of Aberdeen: Department of Geography and Environment www.abdn.ac.uk/geography University of Dundee: Department of Geography www.dundee.ac.uk/geography University of Edinburgh: Institute of Geography www.geos.ed.ac.uk/geography University of Glasgow: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences www.gla.ac.uk/schools/ges Heriot-Watt University: Geography, Society and Environment www.hw.ac.uk/study/uk/undergraduate/geographysociety-and-environment.htm
University of the Highlands and Islands: Geography www.uhi.ac.uk/geography University of St Andrews: School of Geography & Sustainable Development and School of Earth & Environmental Sciences www.st-andrews.ac.uk/gsd earthsci.st-andrews.ac.uk University of Stirling: School of Biological and Environmental Sciences www.stir.ac.uk/natural-sciences/about-us/bes
A further three Scottish universities include some elements of geographical teaching within related subjects: Edinburgh Napier University: Faculty of Health, Life & Social Sciences www.napier.ac.uk/courses/ ba-hons-social-sciences-undergraduate-fulltime Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow School for Business and Society www.gcu.ac.uk/gsbs University of Strathclyde: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences www.strath.ac.uk/humanities
22
A World of Opportunity
The
The
The
The
The
Geographer Geographer Geographer Geographer Geogra Spring 2009
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Summer 2009
The newsletter of the
Autumn 2009
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Winter 2009–10
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
1884
In This Edition...
Palin talk marks 100 years of Geography at University of Edinburgh
Scotland lends a hand in the warm heart of Africa
• Nick Crane Goes To School
• Talks Programme Supplement
• Country In Focus: Malawi – The Too Warm Heart Of Africa
• On The Map: John Thomson’s Atlas Of Scotland
• University News, SAGT News plus other news,
Michael Palin
comments, books...
Photograph © Chris Blott
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER 21.indd 1
25/3/09 12:59:52
The
“My object in returning to Africa is to try to get a permanent path to that central region from which most of the slaves have always been drawn... to propitiate the different chiefs along (the Zambesi)... endeavouring to induce them to cultivate cotton and to abolish the slave trade.” David Livingstone 1855
• Inside the RSGS: The Bartholomew Archive • Off the Beaten Track: Poland • Reader Offer: So Foul and Fair a Day
• Expert View: Kyoto 2 • Expert View: Renewables Without the Hot Air
plus other news,
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER 7.indd 1
25/6/09 21:08:07
“We live not by the jingling of our coins, but by the fullness of our harvests.”
plus other news,
comments, books...
The
• Expert View on: Biochar
• Expert View & Reader Offer: A World Without Bees
• Reader Offer: The Third Man Factor – Surviving The Impossible
The transport issue which direction now?
• Expert View on: Transition Towns
• Inside RSGS: Our First 25 Years
• An Expert View: Carbon Capture and Storage
2009
• Opinions on: Food Security from Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP and Mike Small of Fife Diet
• Country in Focus: Maldives
• An Expert View: Women And Geography
• Reader Offer: Travel Book – A Slow Guide To England
2009
125
th Anniversary of RSGS
In This Edition...
• Opinions on: Copenhagen from Business, Government, a Senator & a President
Prof Wallace Broecker
• Off The Beaten Track: The Tuamotus And The Marquesas
“..we need more than ever to keep in touch with the rest of the world, to see how others are coping and hopefully to learn something along the way”.
“It would be good if our descendants looked back on this challenge we face now as the one that allowed us, as a species, to grow up.”
• On The Map: David Livingstone’s Map Of Lake Malawi
• Opinions On Energy: Turner Lecture, Energy Options, Biofuels
Future Food Security, in Fife and Further Afield
• Extra Talks: Doug Scott & Pen Hadow
• Your Chance To Nominate Awards
• Country In Focus: Discover Greenland – Where The Weather Is Out Of Its Mind
The newsletter of
1884
125
th Anniversary of RSGS
In This Edition...
In This Edition...
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet
22/9/09 13:16:29
The
“He who goes softly goes safely, he who goes safely goes far.”
comments, books...
RSGS Council Member, 1896-98
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN 10.indd 1
“Chi va piano va sano, Chi va sano va lontano” plus other news,
Professor Patrick Geddes
comments, books...
RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER 11.indd 1
15/12/09 13:39:45
The
Italian motto adopted by Joseph Thomson, African Explorer, RSGS Honorary Member & RSGS Silver Medallist 1892
RSGS – Making Connections between P RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING 10.indd 1
The
Geographer Geographer Geographer Geographer Geogra Spring 2011
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
What Are We Fighting For? The geography of conflict “War does not determine who is right - only who is left.”
Summer 2011
The newsletter of the
Sunshine States
In This Edition...
The geography of happiness and well-being
• Letter from Tahrir Square • Expert Views: Citizenship, Terrorism
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition...
Autumn 2011
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
• Country in Focus: Paul Salopek on South Sudan
In This Edition...
Bright Balloons, Brown Clouds, and the Black Triangle
• News Feature: The Fair Maid’s House Opens its Doors
past and present polar perspectives
• Expert Views: The Scots before Scott
• Country in Focus: Bhutan
• Reader Offer: A User’s Guide to the Crisis of Civilization
• Reader Offer: The Spirit Level
plus other news, comments, books...
• Opinions: Polar Bears, Polar Pairs & the Northern Lights • Country in Focus: Greenland from the Inside
• Country in Focus: Somalia, and Famine in the Horn of Africa • Reader Offer: Scotland: Mapping the Nation
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” John Muir
• Reader Offer: Mapping the Railways
plus other news,
“As citizens of the world, our unifying force, our strength must come from something that is not bound by nation, ethnicity or religion – from fundamental human values. Values shape the future of humanity.”
comments, books...
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet
Mark Twain
RSGS – Making the Connections Between People, Places & the Planet
plus other news, comments, books...
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit Representative
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN TWO 14.indd 1
The
“The Arctic is considered the health barometer for the planet. If you wish to see how healthy the planet is, come and take its pulse in the Arctic.”
plus other news, comments, books...
“Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it.”
His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan
The
• Opinion: Alexander Kellas - Himalayan Hero
• Expert Views and Opinions: Air Quality – Local, Regional & Global Perspectives
• On the Map: Philp’s Comic Map of Scotland
What’s the Point?
• Expert Views: Permafrost, Pesticides & Predicting Ice Sheets
• Expert View: A Short History of the Atmosphere
The newsletter of
National Parks
66 degrees and climbing...
• His Holiness The Dalai Lama on Happiness
• Off the Beaten Track: John Pilkington in Iraq
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition...
• Letter from the University of Strathclyde
• Opinions on Afghanistan: Rory Stewart, Ahmed Rashid
The newsletter of the
The Science of the Atmosphere
• Expert Views & Opinions: The World of Well-Being
• Expert View: ‘Bokhara’ Burnes in Afghanistan
Winter 2011 -12
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet
22/09/2011 11:45
The
RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER THREE 9.indd 1
13/12/2011 14:21
The
RSGS: helping to make the connections betwe RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING THREE 17.indd 1
The
Geographer Geographer Geographer Geographer Geogra Spring 2013
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Losing Heart?
In This Edition...
Re-imagining our town and city centres
• What’s Happening to Scotland’s Towns?
“What is the city but the people?”
• News: Mary Robinson, Livingstone Medallist
William Shakespeare
• Malcolm Fraser Reviews Town Centres
Summer 2013
The newsletter of the
Life, The Universe, and Everything Carbon: sources, sinks & cycles “We’ll be alive again in a thousand blades of grass, and a million leaves.”
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition... • Working with SAGES to Increase Impact
Autumn 2013
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Reseeding Forests?
• Opinions: National Parks & Geoparks
• Alcohol, Art, Activism and Alternative Approaches
• Expert Views: Dating, Pricing & Reducing Carbon
• Shops: Old and New
• Zoonotic Geographies – A Multi-Faceted Issue
• Deer, Disease & Reversing Degradation
• Viruses, Evolution & Spillover
• Quality, Quantity & Community Involvement
• Living Patterns, Vaccines & Vermin • A Syrian Refugee Camp & The Philippines After Haiyan • Villages of Hope • RSGS Education – A Year of Success!
• Reader Offer: The Ancient Pinewoods of Scotland
• Reader Offer: Life: A Journey Through Time
Forewords by VANESSA COLLINGRIDGE and AUBREY MANNING
Vanessa Collingridge is a geographer, explorer, broadcaster and author. Professor Aubrey Manning OBE is a distinguished zoologist, author and broadcaster.
£24.99
THE
ANCIENT PINEWOODS OF SCOTLAND A TRAVELLER’S GUIDE
Scattered across the Scottish Highlands are the surviving remnants of the ancient Caledonian pinewoods; woods which have naturally seeded and grown since the last ice age. Visiting the ancient pinewoods of Scotland provides an emotional connection to the past through the visible traces of people who lived and worked there over the centuries, and some spectacular individual trees over 350 years old. It also provides the opportunity to look forward, since one of the world’s great conservation success stories means a new future for the woods and their charismatic wildlife. A journey to the ancient pinewoods offers a natural spectacle alongside a rich cultural heritage which is also described in this comprehensive and fully illustrated guide. Details are provided on how to reach each of the sites, some in the farthest mountain glens and others easily accessed by public transport, with well-marked routes and visitor facilities. This book is also a tribute to all who have shared my passionate belief that the pinewoods are special and helped turn around their fate.
CLIFTON BAIN
Clifton Bain
plus other news, comments, books...
THE ANCIENT PINEWOODS OF SCOTLAND
He is currently living in his home city of Edinburgh and is actively involved in a wide range of national and international conservation activities as Director of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme. Darren Rees is a professional wildlife artist located in Central Scotland. www.darrenrees. com
Should Scotland be an independent cou
• RSGS’s First ‘Explorer-inResidence’
• 2020VISION Fantastic Photos of Forests
• A Trip to Silesia’s Peace Churches
Clifton Bain has over 25 years of experience working in nature conservation. He has an Honours Degree in Zoology from Aberdeen University and enjoyed a long career as a policy officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. He has twice toured all 38 of the pinewoods, most recently completing the journey by relying on public transport, walking and cycling.
The newsletter of
The Referendum Questio
In This Edition...
• Heritage Trees, Ancient Forests & Dying Arts
• Reader Offer: Facts are Sacred
• Reader Offer: Beacons
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Reservoirs, reasons and the role of viruses
• RSGS’s New Logo
The multiple facets of modern forestry
• Expert Views: Origins & Innovations of Carbon
Philip Pullman
The newsletter of the
Zoonoses
In This Edition...
• Expert Views: Carbon Soil, Seas & Solid Rock
Winter 2013 -14
CLIFTON BAIN Drawings by Darren Rees
plus other news, comments, books... RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING FOUR 8.indd 1
26/03/2013 13:03
The
David Quammen
Greek proverb
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER FOUR 16.indd 1
“Intrepid disease ecologists are hiking into forests, climbing through caves,… and sleuthing the mysteries of reservoir host and spillover.”
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
plus other news, comments, books...
25/06/2013 14:21
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN FOUR 10.indd 1
16/09/2013 10:22
RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER FIVE 19.indd 1
The
The
plus other news, comments, books...
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet 18/12/2013 10:00
“...there are known knowns… there are known unkno there are also unknown unknowns...” Donald Rumsfeld
RSGS: helping to make the connections betwe RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING FIVE 14.indd 1
The
The
Geographer Geographer Geographer Geographer Geogra SPRING 2015
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
A Year of Archaeology
SUMMER 2015
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
AUTUMN 2015
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Scottish Mountains – A View
Under the Surface of Soils
WINTER 2015-16
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Modern Mobility and Migration
• Uncovering North Atlantic Sagas
“We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot.”
• International Year of Soils
• Weighing the World with Schiehallion
• Lindsey Hilsum with Migrants & Explorers
Dr Robert D Ballard, RSGS Livingstone Medallist
• Alaska and Easter Island
Leonardo da Vinci
• Perfect Storm in Schools Geography
• Forests, Farming & Tourism
• Greeting the Boats in Greece
• Food, Fertility, Forensics
• Water, Wild Land & Wind Farms
• A Refugee’s Journey to Germany
• The Price, Principles and Politics of Dirt
• Climbers’ Tales
• Integration, Exploitation & a Ten-Point Plan
• The Geography of the Past
• Soil in Iceland, Earthquakes in Nepal
• Børge Ousland Interview • Coastal Change and Melting Culture
RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING 2015Q.indd 1
20/03/2015 15:27
plus news, books, and more… Soils of Scotland. © The James Hutton Institute
RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER 2015Q.indd 1
16/06/2015 12:31
• The Role of Social Media
• The Mapping of St Kilda
• Reader Offer: Isabella Bird: A Photographic Journal of Travels Through China 1894-1896
• Reader Offer: The Polar North
• Scots, Poles, Gaels & Geddes
• Nitrogen, Climate & Health
• Kerala Photo Tour
• Reconstructing People, Places and Planet
plus news, books, and more…
• How Our Mountains Formed
• Getting Wet in Myanmar
• Reader Offer: Mountains: A Very Short Introduction
• Shackleton at RSGS • Reader Offer: Shackleton
“No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being.”
plus news, books, and more…
RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN 2015M.indd 1
“Slowing migration is an odd goal, if the real problem is global inequality.” Aviva Chomsky
Ansel Adams
21/09/2015 11:02
RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER 2015O.indd 1
The newsletter
Water and the Hydro Nat
“I think the age of exploration is just beginning, not ending, on our planet.”
• Colin Prior’s Stunning Landscapes
SPRING 2016
plus news, books, and more… 14/12/2015 14:18
“We never know the worth of water until the well is dry.” Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
RSGS GEOGRAPHER SPRING 2016N.indd 1
23 A World of Opportunity 14-
The
The
The
apher Geographer Geographer Geographer Spring 2010
the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Summer 2010
The newsletter of the
The gulf between nations -
In This Edition...
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
A rocky situation for wildlife?
In This Edition...
the politics and practicalities of protecting our seas and coasts
• Country in Focus: Haiti
Autumn 2010
In This Edition...
In This Edition...
• Opinion on: Geopolitics of the Northwest Passage
• Expert Views and Opinions on: Transport and High Speed Rail
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Myth, magic and modern misconceptions
Taking stock of biodiversity and geodiversity
• On the Map: General Maczek’s Great Polish Map of Scotland
• On the Map: The Arctic Ocean
The newsletter of the
Mind the Knowledge Gap
• News Features: The Icelandic Volcano & the US Oil Spill�
• Off the Beaten Track: To Russia by Rail..!
Winter 2010-11
• News Features: Weather Disruption & Student Fees
• News Features: Christchurch After the Earthquake, Iceland After the Eruption
• Inside the RSGS: The Fair Maid’s House Latest News
• Country in Focus: Pakistan After the Floods
• Expert Views: Myth & Magic - Maps, Miners, Medicine • Opinions on: Land Rights in Borneo, Canada and Scotland
• Inside the RSGS: Joseph Thomson
• Inside the RSGS: The Fair Maid’s House Project Begins
• Expert Views on Biodiversity & Geodiversity
• An Expert View: Perth’s City Status
• Call for RSGS Medal Nominations
• James Croll - A Forgotten Genius?
• Reader Offer: Stuffed
• Reader Offer: 52 Weekends by the Sea
• Off the Beaten Track: Chasing the Devil
• Reader Offer: The Poor Had No Lawyers
• Reader Offer: High Light HIGH LIGHT A
plus other news,
plus other news,
“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”
comments, comments books...
comments, books...
Arthur C Clarke
People, Places & the Planet 25/3/10 14:37:43
“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”
RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER 8.indd 1
10/6/10 15:09:38
The
O F
W I L D
S C O T L A N D
COLIN PRIOR
plus other news, comments, books...
Sir David Attenborough, RSGS Livingstone Medallist
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet
V I S I O N
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN 12.indd 1
23/9/10 13:20:06
The
“So geographers, in Afric maps, With savage pictures fill their gaps, And o’er uninhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns.”
plus other news, comments, books...
Jonathan Swift
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER 11.indd 1
20/12/10 11:59:11
The
apher Geographer Geographer Geographer Spring 2012
the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Summer 2012
The newsletter of the
The Games We Play
In This Edition... • Expert Views & Opinions: The Development of National Parks
The practical, political and psychological legacies of sport
• Off the Beaten Track: Cairngorms to Grand Canyon
“The legacy lays in those intangible qualities such as the stories that people have to tell now because of the Games.”
• Letter from Libya
Cathy Freeman, Olympic athlete and torch bearer, speaking about the 2000 Sydney Olympics
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition... • News: Major Exhibition Coming to Perth - Let’s Celebrate 365 • Expert Views & Opinion: Sporting Legacy and Participation
Autumn 2012
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Bounce-Back-Ability
In This Edition... • Ellen MacArthur’s Journey Towards a Circular Economy
How to cope: communities, crops, clarinets and the circular economy “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
• On the Map: Mapping Ice in Greenland
• Opinions: Oddities & Observations on World Sports
• Bringing Learning to Life
• On the Map: Creative Scotland
• Expert View: Wallace Broecker on Temperature & Rainfall
• Interview with One of Scotland’s Finest Athletes
plus other news, comments, books...
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition...
from astrolabes to astronauts, and sextants to satnavs
• Expert Views: Navigation at Sea and in Space
J R R Tolkien
• David Attenborough Receives RSGS Medal
• John Blashford-Snell Explores in Nicaragua
• Expert Views: Resilience – A Contemporary Concept
• Smell Maps and Smartphones • Tony Juniper on Ecosystem Services
• Expert Views: Crops & Coffee
• Reader Offer: Waking the Giant
• Reader Offer: Scottish Hill Tracks
The newsletter of the
Navigation “Not all those who wander are lost.”
• Bill Ruddiman on Millennia of Agricultural Resilience
Anon
Winter 2012 -13
• Expert View: Scottish Local Planning
• Opinions: Vulnerable Communities & Vulnerable People
• Reader Offer: Travels in Scotland 1788 - 1881
• Reader Offer: Unjustifiable Risk plus other news, comments, books...
een people, places & the planet 16/03/2012 15:53
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER THREE 12.indd 1
25/06/2012 13:38
The
plus other news, comments, books...
plus other news, comments, books...
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN THREE 9.indd 1
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet
20/09/2012 16:25
The
The
apher Geographer Geographer Geographer Spring 2014
the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
on
In This Edition...
untry?
• Scotland: The Formation of a Nation • Union, Europe & University Funding • Economics & Defence • Pensions & Welfare States
Summer 2014
The newsletter of the
Energy Choices
Autumn 2014
The newsletter of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Keeping Our Heads Above Water
Subsidies, security, sustainability and smart homes
• Scotland’s Energy Choices
Flood risks, reasons & responses
“A nation that can’t control its energy sources can’t control its future.”
• Alternative Energy Technologies
• Marine Rewilding • Wild Scotland, Wild Mongolia • Leo Houlding Scales the Heights • Geographers in WWI • Reader Offer: Dirty Teaching
• Education: Science Matters
“No single raindrop believes it is to blame for the flood.”
plus other news, comments, books...
Anon
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER SUMMER FIVE 15.indd 1
• Living With Bears and Beavers
• Reader Offer: The Irresponsible Traveller
plus other news, comments, books...
21/03/2014 11:45
In This Edition...
• Glen Affric, Glenfeshie and Alladale
• Flood Forecasting, Forewarning, Forearming
• Reader Offer: Doubling Back
een people, places & the planet
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
• Monbiot Goes Feral
• SEPA’s Scottish Vulnerable Areas Map
• Mungo Park Medallists Tim Butcher & Ed Stafford
plus other news, comments, books...
Making the lynx
• Managing, Monitoring and Minimising Risk
• Call for EU Leadership: Mary Robinson & Desmond Tutu
• Reader Offer: Scotland’s Choices
• Exciting New Talks Programme
The newsletter of the
The Landscape of Rewilding
• Pluvial, Fluvial and Coastal Flooding
• Fracking, Coal, Biomass & Nuclear
• 130 Years of the RSGS: Part 1
In This Edition...
• 130 Years of Inspiration
• Ukraine: The Price of Gas
President Barack Obama
• On the Map: C16th British Isles
owns…
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
In This Edition...
Winter 2014 -15
20/06/2014 16:43
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER AUTUMN FIVE 8.indd 1
19/09/2014 15:44
“Only the mountain has lived long enough to listen objectively to the howl of a wolf.” Aldo Leopold
plus other news, comments, books...
RSGS: helping to make the connections between people, places & the planet RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER SIX 7.indd 1
11/12/2014 14:18
The
The
The apher Geographer Geographer Geographer
r of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
tion
SUMMER 2016
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
• Annie Lennox Receives Livingstone Medal • Scotland the Hydro Nation
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Martin Luther King
The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
• Women and Water • Artistic and Historic Explorers
• Portrait of Pskov: Exhibition
• Luke Robertson at the South Pole
• National and International Water Policy
• Wet and Windswept on Rockall
plus news, books, and more… Life expectancy for women in Glasgow
“The window of opportunity to stabilize the climate is quickly closing in on us.”
• Buildings, Business and Big Opportunities • Laurent Fabius: Shackleton Medallist
• Midwife Toads and Fossorial Voles
• Views from Jamaica, Bolivia and Hong Kong • Lord Krebs, Professor Skea and Mark Carney • Reader Offer: Scotland: Mapping the Islands
• Reader Offer: Classic Mountain Scrambles
“Show me a healthy community with a healthy economy and I will show you a community that has its green infrastructure in order.” Will Rogers, The Trust for Public Land
plus news, books, and more…
plus news, books, and more… RSGS GEOGRAPHER WINTER 2016H.indd 1
14/03/2016 10:44
• Food Waste, Cities and Transport
• Vertical Farms and Alternative Prescriptions
• Brexit: Some Direction
• Reader Offer: Deeper than Indigo
• Reader Offer: The Railway Atlas of Scotland
plus news, books, and more…
the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
• Valuing the Green and Blue
• Collections Insight: Shirreff Map
• Climate: The Need and a Chance to Lead Life expectancy for men in Glasgow
The newsletter of
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC
• Annie Lennox OBE FRSGS on HIV/AIDS
• Water Towers in the Himalayas
WINTER 2016-17
Bitesize: Climate Change Solutions • Raingardens and Place-Making
• Mortality: Crisis and Contrasts
• Formulae and Foodbanks
• Origins of Onshore and Offshore Freshwater
• Water, Food, Energy and Economics
AUTUMN 2016
Green and Blue Infrastructure
Health Inequalities
28/11/2016 16:15
The Geographer, RSGS’s intelligent, insightful, informative and impartial quarterly magazine, is sent free to all members. Each edition is packed with short articles written by professional geographers, RSGS members and others, introducing readers to a wide range of geographical topics.
© Lorne Gill
Join RSGS today! Geography has a vital role to play in helping us to understand and address this century’s crucial global concerns of environmental sustainability, social equity and economic balance. Scotland has long been at the forefront of geographical exploration, and RSGS has been working since 1884, with the support of thousands of members, to inspire people to want to find out more about the world.
RSGS 15-19 North Port Perth PH1 5LU t: 01738 455050 e: enquiries@rsgs.org www.rsgs.org
Please join RSGS today, and get to know your world! • Get FREE/discounted entry to c100 geographical, travel and adventure talks and other events. • Receive quarterly copies of The Geographer and the Scottish Geographical Journal.
The pher Geogra The Geographer GeThoegrapher The newsletter of
the Royal Scottish
Geographical Society
SPRING 2016
o Nation
Water and the Hydr SUMMER 2016
• Annie Lennox Receives Medal • Scotland the Hydro Nation • Origins of Onshore and Offshore Freshwater “Of all the forms of inequality,The newslette • Mortality: r ofCrisis in the theand Towers Royal Scottish injustice• Water in health care is the Geographical Contrasts Society Himalayas The newsletter ofLivingstone the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Health Inequalities
WINTER 2016-17
most shocking and inhumane.”
• Gain access to more than 130 years of RSGS collections and archives. • Enjoy being part of a community that shares a passion for the world. For further details, and to join, please visit www.rsgs.org or phone us on 01738 455050.
• Annie Lennox OBE • Portrait of Pskov: Bitesize: Clim on HIV/AIDS Exhibition ate ChangeFRSGS Solu • Formulae and tions • National and Martin Luther King
“The window of International Water opportunity to stabilize the Policy climate is quickly closing in on us.” • Water, Food, Energy
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC
and Economics
• Wet and Windswept on Rockall • Reader Offer: The Railway Atlas of Scotland Life expectancy for men in Glasgow
worth of water “We never know the until the well is dry.”
Foodbanks
• Women and Water
• Food Waste, Cities and Transport
• Artistic and Historic Explorers • Luke Robertson at the South Pole
• Buildings, Business and Big Opportunities
• Climate: The Need and a Chance to Lead
• Laurent Fabius: Shackleton Medallist
• Reader Offer: Deeper than Indigo
• Views from Jamaica , Bolivia and Hong Kong • Lord Krebs, Professor Skea and Mark Carney
plus news, books, and more…
• Reader Offer: Scotland: Mapping the Islands
Gnomologia, 1732 Thomas Fuller,
plus news, books, and more… Life expectancy for women in Glasgow
plus news, books, and more…
RSGS: a better way to see the world
Scottish Charity No SC015599