SCOTTISH ARCTIC CLUB

 

The Scottish Arctic Club is a social club where Scots who have been on expeditions to the Arctic, or lived there, or are interested in polar affairs, can meet together and communicate with one another. We have an annual informal Supper, in a different Scottish venue each November, when we swap stories about where we explored in the past, and discuss where we hope to go in the future. A few slides are shown and maps are spread out on the floor. To quote our Constitution, the object of the club is "to provide opportunities for exchanging information on research and travel in high latitudes, to encourage competent expedition practice, and to maintain good relations with governments which administer Arctic territories." There is a small annual subscription.

An Arctic Library of books collected by the late George Waterston was acquired in 1984 and is kept in the premises of the Scottish Ornithologists Club in Edinburgh. This library, in addition to holding over 350 books, has on its shelves recent expedition reports, reprints of articles. current journals, diaries and slides, so it can be consulted by members carrying out research on an area of the Arctic before planning an expedition or studying any special aspect of the Arctic; historical, geographical, scientific or logistical.

Expedition Award. The club makes an award each year to a young Scot (under 30 years of age) going on an expedition to the Arctic. They are encouraged to return to the club and show slides of their trip at the Annual Supper, and to contribute a copy of their report to the Library.

We also organise a mid-summer weekend outing in the Highlands, around the time of the Summer Solstice, hut-based or camping.

This is a club for people of all ages and both sexes with a common interest in the Arctic. It is run by a committee all of whom regularly visit the Arctic either in the summer or in the winter. We welcome newcomers, young or old. The current membership is around 100 people.

 

President: John Arnott; Vice President: Jean Balfour

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Sue Fenton. (email; scwf@sol.co.uk)

 

Updated 15 September 1998