Home > 'Why geology matters in Scotland' Seminars
'Why geology matters in Scotland' Seminars
These hour-long seminars will include a short presentation from an expert, followed by opportunities to discuss the issue and help shape future activities of the Scottish Geology Trust. The series continues on Mondays at 5.30pm from 28 September.
Tuesday 4 August, 5.30-6:30pm – Landscape & Tourism
Presenter: Angus Miller, tour guide & SGT Secretary
Scotland's landscape is world famous and underpins the tourism industry, a significant contributor to Scotland's economy. Obviously geology is the key factor that creates this landscape, but so what? Does it matter that this geology often isn't particularly well understood or explained?
Tuesday 11th August, 5:30-6:30pm – Education
Presenter: Emma Smith, geography/geology teacher at Gairloch High School & SGT Trustee
What do we want our young people learning about geology in Scottish schools? We will then look at the background, examine the current curriculum and discuss workable opportunities for the Scottish Geology Trust and its members to increase the visibility, quality and quantity of geology in both primary and secondary schools.
Tuesday 25th August, 5:30-6:30pm – Scotland's geology and the university sector
Presenter: Graham McLeod, University of Leeds and other contributors
What does Scotland's geology have to offer universities and students as a fieldwork location? Are there other opportunities for the geological community to get involved with and support undergraduate learning? We would also like to explore the wider picture, in how universities and others can work together for mutual benefit, to encourage interest in geology, highlight the benefits that geology offers to society, and promote career pathways including undergraduate degrees in geoscience.
Tuesday 1st September, 5:30-6:30pm – Geoconservation in Scotland: past, present and future
Presenter: Colin MacFadyen, NatureScot
Colin’s presentation will provide an overview of geoconservation in Scotland from its origins to the present day, including key issues for the future. This will include a brief explanation of the different designations for geological sites of local, national and international importance. A question and answer session will follow, and open discussion on what people want from geoconservation in Scotland.
Tuesday 8th September, 5:30-6:30pm – Geology for Communities
Presenter: Don Stewart, geologist, President of Aberdeen Geological Society, and SGT Trustee
There are successful examples across Scotland of local communities working with geologists to help promote an interesting story, adding to the visitor experience and supporting peoples' awareness and pride of their area. The Scottish Geology Trust recognises this process as being key to increasing public recognition of the value of geological knowledge. We'll look at a couple of case studies, including local engagement with interpretation of an important fossil discovery near Stonehaven.
Tuesday 15th September, 5:30-6:30pm – Scotland’s marine geology: geodiversity, biodiversity and the green economy
Presenter: Robert Gatliff, Board member of the Scottish Geology Trust, previously President of Edinburgh Geological Society, and formerly Science Director for Energy & Marine Geology at BGS
We’ve all heard about North Sea oil and gas, and even though it is a lot harder to see the geology beneath the seas around Scotland, there is huge geodiversity which we need to understand to protect biodiversity, manage our fishing resources, understand geohazards, and optimise use of the seabed and the subsurface for developing a green economy.
Monday 28th September, 5:30-6:30pm: Why are Scotland’s Landscapes Important?
Presenter: Rachel Tennant, Chair of Landscape Institute Scotland and Co-Chair of Scotland’s Landscape Alliance
Rachel Tennant introduces the work of Scotland’s Landscape Alliance and discusses how Scotland’s landscape should be recognised as part of the critical infrastructure and solutions needed to tackle the changes required to address climate change, public health and wellbeing and inclusive economic growth.
Monday 5th October, 5.30-6:30pm – Lime and the built heritage of Scotland
Presenter: Dr Katie Strang, Scottish Lime Centre Trust
Scotland has one of the richest legacies of traditional (pre-1919) buildings and other stone structures of any country in the world, and the most common building stones are directly influenced by the local geology of the area. Stone was not the only geological resource to be utilised; in the past, particularly before the advent of industrialised production during the 19th century, lime for building materials (e.g. mortar, plaster etc.) was predominately produced locally. This local production resulted in distinct regional variations in mortar composition and strength (hydraulicity), and crude methods of manufacture led to heterogeneous mortars with a high variability of both composition and texture. This talk will look at some of the different economic resources of the Midland Valley, and how these have been exploited for building materials throughout history, and ultimately how this has impacted the built heritage of Scotland.