Historiographer Royal awarded prestigious Geddes Environment Medal by RSGS

Profs Roger Crofts, T.C Smout and Iain Stewart

Professor Christopher Smout, Historiographer Royal in Scotland, has been awarded the Geddes Environmental Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

The Geddes Environment Medal is named after Sir Patrick Geddes, an innovative town planner and early RSGS Council Member. Professor Smout has used Geddesian principles throughout his career. He has used maps, topographic views and photographs - tools promoted by Geddes, a visual thinker - to illustrate Scotland’s changing landscapes.

The medal was awarded to Professor Smout at a special ceremony in Perth Concert Hall on 24 March 2014. Professor Smout is pictured here (centre) with RSGS chairman Professor Roger Crofts (left) and RSGS president Professor Iain Stewart (left).

Professor Iain Stewart handed over the award In recognition of Professor Smout's contribution to environmental history and the great value of the inter-disciplinary nature of Professor Smout’s work.

His inter-disciplinary research and writings have been concerned with issues of conservation and sustainability. His recent publication 'The Firth of Forth' contextualises such matters using case studies of herring fishing, oyster beds, pollution, seals, seabirds and the Bass Rock from Mesolithic times - a historical study of ‘place, folk and work’ reminiscent of a Geddesian ‘Valley Section’.

Previous recipients of the Award include photographer and filmaker Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the crew of the Plastiki and the couple behind the Fife Diet, Mike and Karen Small.