4SPRING 2015Robin Hanbury-Tenison:8 things for 80In 2001, explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison received theRSGS Mungo Park Medal in recognition of his outstandingcontribution to exploration, campaigning for the rights oftribal people, and the creation of a greater understandingof the wider world. Now he is undertaking a series of eightchallenges ahead of his 80th birthday – one for each decade.His first challenge will be the London Marathon on 26 April.Following this he will be climbing the four highest mountainsin the British Isles; skydiving; cave abseiling down the Titanshaft, the deepest pitch in Britain, and out of Peak Cavern,England’s deepest cave; and water-skiing across the EnglishChannel. Clearly you are never too old for adventure.EDINA recognisedThe BartholomewGlobe is awardedfor excellence in theassembly, deliveryor applicationof geographicalinformation throughcartography, GIS andrelated techniques.In February, RSGSBoard Member Margaret Wilkes presented the Globe to PeterBurnhill and the staff of EDINA, for their work in providingonline resources for UK schools and universities.If you would like to nominate somebody for one of ourmedals or awards, then please use the form on our websiteand return it to us here at RSGS HQ.Meet the explorer!Sixteen lucky P1/2 pupils from Forgandenny Primary Schoolcame to visit us to speak to our explorer-in-residence, CraigMathieson. They tried on old and new kit, and saw lots ofphotos from Craig’s adventures in the Arctic and Antarctica.He also told them about the Polar Academy, and hispreparations for his expedition to Greenland in April.“The children have been very enthused with what they heardin this session. When asked in assembly what their dreamsare for the future, many of them answered that they wantedto be an explorer or ‘go to the North Pole’. Brilliant! We arenow doing a whole school ‘dreams for the future’ displayboard.” said teacher Mel Duffy.New UHI Geography DegreeThe University of the Highlands and Islands is offeringa new BSc (Hons) Geography degree course, based inInverness and Stornoway, starting in September 2015.Not only is this a new geography degree in two newlocations in Scotland, it is also an accelerated degreewhich will allow students to graduate in three yearsrather than four. The degree will be delivered throughonline and face-to-face learning, and fieldwork willbe a major component, with residential fieldtrips tothe Cairngorms and the Swiss Alps, as well as localdaytrips. See www.uhi.ac.uk/geography for details.Doug Allan FRSGSAnybody who has enjoyed BBC seriessuch as Ocean Giants and HumanPlanet will have seen the quality ofwildlife cameraman Doug Allan’swork. From scenes shot on thedizzying heights of Mount Everestto close-ups of killer whales huntingin Antarctica, Doug has providedsome of the most memorablewildlife images ever captured. So, hearing the stories behindthese awesome images, from the man described by DavidAttenborough as “the toughest in the business”, was trulyinspirational, and we were thrilled to award Doug (right ofpicture) an Honorary Fellowship of the RSGS, which waspresented to him by RSGS Chairman, Roger Crofts.Doug perfectly embodies our Inspiring People series. We hopethat his achievements can inspire the latest generation ofScotland’s graduates to use their passion and knowledge ofthe natural world to raise awareness of the geographical andenvironmental issues which affect us all.Lewis Pugh’s record-breaking swimsIn February, UN Patron of the Oceans, pioneer swimmer and RSGSFellow Lewis Pugh took on an extreme challenge – five recordbreakingswims in the freezing waters of Antarctica –to gain global support for his campaign to make the Ross Sea aMarine Protected Area. He said, “My hope is that these symbolicswims in this Polar Garden of Eden will bring the beauty andwonder of Antarctica into the hearts and homes of people aroundthe world, so they will urge their governments to protect this uniqueecosystem.”The five swims formed the most challenging and dangerousswimming effort ever undertaken. Donning only Speedo trunks,Lewis broke the world record for the most southerly swim in threeof his five swims. As well as the obvious dangers of subjecting hisbody to the stresses of sub-zero water, Lewis was swimming inseas patrolled by killer whales and leopard seals.130th anniversary appealTo celebrate the RSGS’s 130th anniversary, we hope to createan engaging promotional resource that can be used by RSGSLocal Groups, universities and other partners to explainsomething of our extraordinary heritage, to champion thecause of geography in Scotland, and to inspire more people toget involved in the subject and in the RSGS.We are sending a fundraising appeal to ask our members tohelp us with this project. Please support the appeal if you can.University News