Scotland’s iconic landscapes and rugged coastlines have been shaped by the elements over countless millennia. The rocks beneath our feet hold the secrets of our planet’s past and this year, the Scottish Geology Festival will host numerous events unlocking these stories. Running from the 1st of September to the 9th October, the Scottish Geology Trust and partners will deliver another packed programme of activities across the country, showcasing and celebrating Scotland’s incredible geology.
This year’s Festival will launch with a joint event hosted by The James Hutton Institute and the Scottish Geology Trust, ‘A conversation on James Hutton: the man and his legacy’ with Alan McKirdy at the James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen on 1st September, from 4:00-6:30pm. This will be an exploration into Scotland’s fascinating geological past, present and future with Alan McKirdy, discussing the impact of the work of James Hutton, founder of modern geology.
Dr Katie Strang, Director of the Scottish Geology Festival, said:
“We are excited to be back for the third year of the Scottish Geology Festival. During Scotland’s Year of Stories, the Festival is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to explore Scotland’s incredible landscapes, learning how they have been shaped over millions of years by geological processes; revealing the secrets and tales of our planet’s past. From volcanic eruptions to tropical coal swamps, dinosaurs to earthquakes – the rocks beneath our feet provide endless opportunities for adventure, education and discovery.”
From coastal walks and fossil hunting, to online and in-person talks, there will be something for everyone to enjoy during this year’s Festival no matter how much or little you know about the subject. Tour the ancient, fossilised trees at Fossil Grove in Glasgow, join in a virtual demonstration showcasing Scottish agates from National Museums Scotland, or explore extinct volcanoes in Edinburgh and the UNESCO Global Geopark in the North West Highlands.
Joining forces with Scottish Water, the Trust will also be encouraging event participants to consider and reduce their use of water, not just in summer. With climate change challenging Scotland, the Trust continues to champion how learning from Scotland’s geology can help raise awareness that water is always worth saving.
With a fantastic spread of events on all across Scotland, as well as online, this year’s Festival will provide a great day out and experience for all ages. The Scottish Geology Festival is organised by the Scottish Geology Trust. For details of all festival events visit www.scottishgeologytrust.org/festival.
