James Hutton, known as the ‘Father of Geological Time’, lived and farmed in East Berwickshire for some years, developing his ideas about landscape and processes through time. Interpretation boards, exhibits and displays tell his story, culminating in his visit to Siccar Point on the coast near Cockburnspath, where the new Deep Time Trail gives access […]
Siccar Point on the Scottish Borders coast is one of the most significant locations in the history of geology. It was here in 1788 that James Hutton predicted, and then found, an unconformity - a geological feature that represents a significant gap in the geological record, and shows how the Earth's surface is continually recycled […]
Step into the shadows of Greyfriars Kirkyard to walk the path of the man who redefined the age of the Earth. Join us for an exclusive Royal Society of Edinburgh & Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard historical tour tracing the life, burial, and enduring legacy of James Hutton. We will explore the resting places of the […]
Join us at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh to launch the Scottish Geology Festival on the evening of Monday 1st June. Meet geologists and researchers and get involved with hands-on activities. Learn about how we date rocks, how soils form, why James Hutton was such an important historical figure, and what cutting edge research is happening […]
Join Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, The James Hutton Institute while he traces James Hutton’s life and intellectual development. James Hutton, physician, chemist, farmer and natural philosopher, is best known as the founder of modern geology that is the basis of the “Deep Time” of our Earth. Yet his contribution reaches far beyond the rocks […]
In order to help celebrate Hutton's Tercentenary, a group of church bell ringers from various parts of England and Scotland will meet on Wednesday 3rd June to ring the eight bells at Haddington church, East Lothian. The ringing will start at about 10.30am and continue without a break for three hours. This special type of […]
On the 300th anniversary of James Hutton’s birth, learn about this unsung hero of the Scottish Enlightenment with a talk and guided walk within Holyrood Park, where he made several observations leading to his groundbreaking Theory of the Earth. The event will start with a talk on Hutton’s life, the observation’s leading to his Theory […]
Discover the legacy of James Hutton, the ‘Father of Modern Geology’. Celebrate his Tercentenary with free, drop-in short talks, mini tours and object handling. Learn about ‘deep time’, Hutton’s greatest contribution to science and philosophy. Dr Rachel Walcott, our Principal Curator of Earth Systems will present short talks in the Auditorium. As part of the celebrations […]
It is Scotland’s most important geological site, discovered by James Hutton in 1788, but Siccar Point is tucked away on the rugged coastline of the Scottish Borders: a hidden gem with beautiful coastal scenery and a rich geological story. We’ll get to the point by following James Hutton’s journey along the coast from Cockburnspath, gradually […]
An opportunity to discover Edinburgh’s volcano during your walk in Holyrood Park, and to celebrate the 300th Birthday of James Hutton, the father of modern geology, in the place where many of his crucial observations were made! Take a geological walk through the 340 million year history of Arthur’s Seat, from tropical lagoons to volcanic […]
Inspired by In Time, Annie Cattrell RSA's curated element of the 200th Annual Exhibition, we invite you to join a walking tour led by local geologist Dr Angus Miller. Starting at the Royal Scottish Academy, we will reflect on the dynamic geology around our building at the Mound, Princes Street Gardens and the Old Town as we follow […]
Discover the Secrets of Arbroath’s Ancient Cliffs: A Geology Walk Through Time Join us for a captivating guided walk along the dramatic Arbroath cliffs, where the very rocks tell the story of Earth’s deep history. At the heart of this adventure lies Whiting Ness unconformity, a breathtaking geological feature that once inspired the pioneering work […]
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 […]
In the footsteps of James Hutton: Arran Thursday 11 to Monday 15 June 2026 (4 nights) Welcome to the best geology in Scotland! In this tour of Arran’s geology, we will walk in the footsteps of James Hutton and discover crucial evidence that he used to support two aspects of his Theory of the Earth. […]
Hutton 300: Landscape, Rocks and Time Exhibition and Gunsgreen House Leader: Alison Tymon This unique excursion visits the temporary Hutton exhibition at Paxton House that includes examples of rocks and images from Hutton’s most famous sites, his thinking about time and geological processes, and the agricultural improvements he made while farming nearby. Then we head […]
Hutton's Birthday celebrations at Leiden University On 14 June 2026, it will be exactly three centuries since James Hutton was born. Widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers in the history of the earth sciences, Hutton is celebrated as a founding figure of modern geology. Less widely known—but of special importance to Leiden—is […]
Hutton’s unconformity reshaped geological understanding of deep time. Join us at the British Geological Survey (BGS) to learn more about how it fits into Edinburgh’s volcanic past. Explore rock samples, view thin sections under the microscope, and uncover historical records revealing how the city’s Seven Hills were formed — from fiery eruptions in the Devonian […]
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. Booking essential, book here: www.eyemouthribtrips.co.uk/booking An event in the Scottish Geology Festival 2026, […]
Well-known Edinburgh geologist, Angus Miller, will lead a special tercentenary walk in honour of James Hutton (3 June 1726 – 26 March 1797), the father of modern geology. This will be on Saturday, 20 June, starting at 10.00 from the Portuguese Cannon. Entitled ‘The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton’s Edinburgh’, Angus will take us around the […]
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. […]