Awards map the way for geographers of the future

ADVENTURERS AND historians were recognised at an awards ceremony hosted by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS).

The event at Perth Concert Hall was led by RSGS president and TV presenter Professor Iain Stewart.

Among those receiving an award was the evening’s guest speaker, Ed Stafford.

A former soldier, he completed one of the world’s last great adventures when he walked the entire length of the Amazon river.

He and his friend, Luke Collyer, set out in 2008 to complete the 4,000-mile trek in 12 months.

In the end, however, it took two and a half years and 6,000 miles for Mr Stafford to make it to the journey’s end on the Atlantic.

He was presented with RSGS Mungo Park Medal for his “outstanding” contribution to geographical knowledge by exploring a “potentially hazardous” environment.

Dr Catherine DelanoSmith was awarded the Bartholomew Globe in recognition of her “exceptional” contribution to cartography.

She has helped to lead the resurgence of the critical history of mapmaking by organising meetings and lectures and in her role as editor of Imago Mundi.

During the ceremony, Professor Chris Smout was praised for his contribution to environmental history for establishing the Institute for Environmental History and Policy at St Andrews University in 1992. He received RSGS Geddes Environmental Medal.

Finally, several people were given the honour of being accepted into the Fellowship of the Society in recognition of their distinguished contribution to the work of the RSGS, or to the advancement of geography in Scotland.

The new members are: Dr Stuart Monro, scientific director of Our Dynamic Ear th in Edinburgh; geologist and Scottish G e o d ive r s i t y Fo r u m founder, Dr John E Gordon; Alan Caldwell, from the Comrie Development Trust; Uddingston geography teacher Alison McGuigan; and longstanding RSGS member Alan Colvill.