The Victorian Schoolroom (History of Education Centre) in Newhaven, Edinburgh is delighted to offer some lively events to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the birth of James Hutton, the renowned, Edinburgh-born “Father of Geology”. Working together with academics from the University of Edinburgh and members of the Edinburgh Geological Society, we are offering a week […]
James Hutton in Holyrood Park Leader: Angus Miller From the site of Hutton’s house at St John’s Hill, visit key locations in Holyrood Park that helped shape and confirm his ideas on the nature of igneous rocks. He didn’t get everything right! We’ll be guided by the ‘Lost Drawings’, view Arthur’s Seat from near Holyrood […]
Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2QQ Saturday 27 June 2026, 7:30pm Join us for a unique evening of music, song, video and poetry inspired by James Hutton’s insights regarding deep time and Earth’s processes with performances from leading Scottish performers. Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan have featured the song 'Siccar Point' on their most […]
Join the creative team involved in the Hutton 300 concert for a coach tour to Siccar Point, to explore the new Deep Time Trail and creative responses to James Hutton’s ideas. Coach tickets (£20 + booking fee) available now – book here An event in the Scottish Geology Festival 2026, organised by the Scottish Geology Trust.
Join us on the Eyemouth Rib for a trip to Hutton's Unconformity at Siccar Point, the famous site in the history of geology that was found in 1788, which James Hutton regarded as conclusive proof of his uniformitarian theory of geological development. Book now: www.eyemouthribtrips.co.uk/booking
James Hutton’s Edinburgh Leader: Beverly Bergman Join our James Hutton boffin to visit key sites associated with Hutton's life. We will see where he lived as a child, follow his route to school, then visit his final resting place in Greyfriars Kirkyard. The excursion then visits the site of Hutton’s house on St John's Hill, […]
Co-tutored by Joanna Kessel & Helen Bodycomb 17-21 July 2026 Edinburgh, Scotland 10 places (open to all levels) A unique 4+ day mosaic workshop inspired by geology - the land beneath our feet! The workshop has been designed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the birth of the James Hutton, Father of Modern Geology, […]
We are delighted to welcome back Dr Angus Miller to talk about the ways that Edinburgh helped to shape James Hutton's ideas about the fabric of the Earth. There have already been many celebrations of James Hutton's 300th birthday, and in a year where Edinburgh World Heritage commemorates 30 years as a World Heritage Site, it […]
As part of the Edinburgh Fringe, discover a unique tasting experience in Edinburgh’s only Planetarium! Whisky Under the Stars is an immersive tasting in Dynamic Earth’s 360° Planetarium, led by in-house astronomers for a unique blend of whisky and cosmic wonder. Guests enjoy three exceptional drams while exploring the planetarium and atmospheric indoor rainforest. This […]
BBC Radio 4 - 19:15 Sunday 9th August - programme web page For Radio 4’s Illuminated strand - the home of creative documentary making - award winning musician and writer Karine Polwart celebrates the tercentenary of James Hutton, the 18th century Scottish scientist, philosopher and farmer known as the Father of Geology. With specially performed […]
Book into the latest of RSGS’s highly popular Discover Days. Over 2 hours you will hear from four different experts with perspectives, stories and insights into the life and work of celebrated geologist James Hutton. We are delighted to welcome Professor Dame Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensics at the James Hutton Institute; Edinburgh-based geologist […]
Step back to the 1700s and walk through Edinburgh's landscape with philosopher James Hutton and his famous Scottish enlightenment companions, exploring Hutton’s theory of a dynamic Earth. Born in Edinburgh in 1726, Hutton saw how the Earth developed over a vast time scale. We now know this as deep time. With interests in agriculture, chemistry, […]
In this workshop, led by geologist and illustrator Vojta Hybl, you will explore the rock cycle – the process by which rocks change from one type to another. 2026 marks 300 years since James Hutton's birth. Often credited as the father of modern geology, Hutton's ideas about deep time changed how understood the age of the […]
Scotland's Golden Coast, a new series on More4, visited Siccar Point in episode 2 for the opening of the Deep Time Trail. The episode covers the opening ceremony and a visit from a party of geologists from the Geological Society of America. Watch on catchup - channel4.com
The founder of modern geology was a Scot, from Edinburgh. James Hutton revolutionised geology with his meticulous observations, measurements and deductions about the Earth and its age. He was also much more than this. He was a farmer, an entrepreneur and a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of his […]
300 years ago James Hutton, the Father of Modern Geology, was born in Edinburgh and the way we think about the Earth was changed forever due to his insights into 'Deep Time'. Join Dr Stuart Archer of the Aberdeen Geological Society as we celebrate the life of the man who re-defined geological time, understood the rock cycle of […]
James Hutton (1726-1797) is known the world over as the father of modern geology, but is less well known within his home city of Edinburgh. In the late 18th century, Hutton developed a ground-breaking ‘Theory of the Earth’ and used detailed observations of rocks around Edinburgh to illustrate and support his ideas. This one-day course, […]
Unconformities is a new exhibition of geological and mathematical textile art by Madeleine Shepherd. Expect aperiodic tiles, computational kimonos and a celebration of James Hutton's 300th birthday. Hutton was born in Edinburgh in 1726. Considered the father of modern geology, he was also an agriculturalist, chemical manufacturer, naturalist and physician. Madeleine has knitted Hutton's portrait in naturally […]
Join us on the Eyemouth Rib for a trip to Hutton's Unconformity at Siccar Point, the famous site in the history of geology that was found in 1788, which James Hutton regarded as conclusive proof of his uniformitarian theory of geological development. Book now: www.eyemouthribtrips.co.uk/booking
Join artist Gayle Chong Kwan at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival on an interactive creative restorying session to explore themes in The Great Instauration (2026) her installation in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland, as part of the 2026 Edinburgh Science Festival, that explored science as a culturally embedded process shaped by social […]