Exploring Scotland
The relationship between the Soil and Scottish landscape, is at times simple, in others exceedingly complex.
March 3, 2023
Scotland’s water sector leaders, from academia to industry and government, will gather in Edinburgh tomorrow [22nd March ] to discuss how Scottish innovation and cooperation can safeguard global water sustainability and resilience.
The...
February 2, 2023
Faithful+Gould has been selected by The James Hutton Institute as the project manager for its new Just Transition Hub in Aberdeen, following the award of £7.2 million for the project from the Scottish Government late last year.
As project...
February 2, 2023
Escape to the country (News)
A shift to hybrid working practices following the coronavirus pandemic has led to some people swapping city living for country life. Now an international project will explore the scale, and pros and cons, of urban migration into rural, island and...
February 2, 2023
James Hutton Institute scientist appointed Commissioner on Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (News)
The James Hutton institute’s head of forensic science, principal scientist Professor Lorna Dawson, has been appointed as a commissioner on the UK’s Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC).
The FFCC, which delivered the...
November 11, 2022
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute will form a partnership with a project team aiming to develop a framework for an eco-directed formulary that will incorporate environmental data on medicines into the prescribing process, alongside...
November 11, 2022
The UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has awarded £609K to a collaborative partnership led by the James Hutton Institute to understand how a tree’s microbiomes (the bacteria, fungi and viruses that...
October 10, 2022
Scientists at James Hutton Institute, the independent research organisation, have been awarded over £13million from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition fund to establish two pioneering action-based research science projects in...
October 10, 2021
£1m funding boost for Hutton peatland and habitats restoration project in the River Forth catchment (News)
Over the next four years the James Hutton Institute, NatureScot, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the University of Stirling will work in partnership to restore habitats across the Forth catchment area.
October 10, 2021
Until July 2022, the James Hutton Institute’s Aberdeen site will host Compass, a sculpture by Scottish artist Annie Cattrell that draws inspiration from Scottish geology and James Hutton’s Theory of the Earth, specifically Siccar...
July 7, 2021
Would you like to climb a mountain in the Cairngorms this summer in the name of science? The James Hutton Institute have partnered with Plantlifeto discover more about the fungi that lie beneath the surface of the 58 Munros of the Cairngorms...
April 4, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are deploying aerial mapping technology to collect data on the natural restoration of peatland at the Queen’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland. A survey aircraft equipped with advanced laser scanners...
January 1, 2021
Small mammals, such as mice and shrews, can occur in large numbers and play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. They can drive predator populations and generate cascading effects on many prey species. They are also difficult to survey due to...
December 12, 2020
Many of Scotland’s iconic landscapes and natural habitats have intolerable nitrogen levels according to a report released by Plantlife Scotland today. Endorsed by the James Hutton Institute and produced using some of its data, the report...
April 4, 2020
Social science at the James Hutton Institute may provide an insight into how rural Scotland can and will likely respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. These research findings bring into focus the importance of community resilience, discuss the impact...
October 10, 2019
A blog created in celebration of Deeside’s wildlife, and Inspired by the BBC’s ‘Watches’ series has been launched by the Dee Catchment Partnership. “DeeWatch”, aims to encourage locals to explore Deeside by...
October 10, 2019
Social scientists based at the James Hutton Institute have pioneered the use of video as a participatory research technique in Scotland, in the context of a project aiming to understand the way the people of Cumbernauld connect with the green...
August 8, 2019
Rewilding in the Scottish uplands could take decades without the intervention of land managers, a new long-term grazing experiment at Glen Finglas has shown. The experiment, the first of its kind in Scotland, was set up in 2002 to explore how...
July 7, 2019
The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Stuart as their new coordinator. Previously employed by Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service in Duthie Park, Alex will bring experience of...
July 7, 2019
Two projects aimed at restoring biodiversity in the River Dee catchment will receive more than £350,000 from a new competitive national fund from Scottish Natural Heritage. The Aberdeenshire projects were selected alongside 12 others across...
December 12, 2018
UnderStories - Storying woodland use, management and expansion in the Cairngorms National Park (Project)
What is the story with woodlands in the Cairngorms National Park? Or should we say, what are the stories, as there are many threads of stories of actual, former or speculative woodlands weaving in and out that make this area what it...
June 6, 2018
UK Alpine Ecology Network (Research Page)
The UK Alpine Ecology Network was formed in 2018 as a means of bringing together scientists, conservationists and land managers with an interest in the ecology of alpine ecosystems across the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in...
March 3, 2018
Orla Shortall of the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group has been awarded a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship. The Fellowship enables early-career academics in the humanities and social sciences...
March 3, 2018
Come and spend a fun family day at Glensaugh Farm!
The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2018 on 10 June.
September 9, 2016
Podzols (Research Page)
The name Podzol is derived from the Russian words pod = under and zola = ash.
Podzols are widespread throughout Scotland, generally associated with acid parent material and semi-natural heath or coarse grassland vegetation and coniferous...
September 9, 2016
Gleys (Research Page)
Gley soil with very poor drainage and significant peat development on surface often referred to as a peaty gley.
The name gley is derived from the Russian words glei = compact bluish-grey.
September 9, 2016
Noncalcareous Gleys (Research Page)
Gley soil with very poor drainage and significant peat development on surface often referred to as a peaty gley.
September 9, 2016
Brown Earths (Research Page)
Doune Series: Brown forest soil developed on acidic, fluvioglacial deposits
September 9, 2016
Rendzinas (Research Page)
Characteristics of Rendzinas
Shallow soils with solid or fragmented calcareous rock at depth
Soils of limited extent in Scotland, confined to areas of limestone rock
Soils have a mineral surface horizon with prominent crumb structure...
September 9, 2016
Links Soils (Research Page)
Links soil developed under forestry (Culbin Forest, Morayshire) showing weakly developed prodzol under vegetation. Note - buried profile with weak horizon differentiation.
September 9, 2016
Immature Soils (Research Page)
Such soils are represented by a broad class of shallow or weakly developed soils including alluvial soils, soils developed on coastal dunes and in relatively flat areas of blown sand, called links or machair ion Scotland and shallow soils resting...
September 9, 2016
Alluvial Soils (Research Page)
Imperfectly draining, fine-textured alluvial soil with weak horizon differentiation.
September 9, 2016
Torridon (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Pre-Cambrian rocks of the Torridonian Formation.
September 9, 2016
Thurso (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Sandstones and flagstones of Middle Old Red Sandstone age (Caithness Flagstones in Caithness, Rousay Flags and Stromness Flags in Orkney).
September 9, 2016
Tarves (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Mixed acid and basic metamorphic and igneous rocks, locally from intermediate metamorphic and igneous rocks e.g.hornblende-schist, biotite-gneiss and diorite.
September 9, 2016
Strichen (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Acid rocks; mainly acid schists, schistose grits and granulites of the Dalradian.
September 9, 2016
Sourhope (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Lavas of andesitic composition associated with sediments of Lower Old Red Sandstone age (also associated with granitic masses at Cheviot and in Argyll).
September 9, 2016
Rowanhill (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Sandstones and shales with some limestones and coals, all rocks of Carboniferous age.
September 9, 2016
Lochinver (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Gneisses and schists of Lewisian age, acid, basic and intermediate composition.
September 9, 2016
Foundland (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Slates, phyllites and other weakly metamorphosed argillaceous rocks, including andalusite-schists, fine-grained mica schists and block schists of the Dalradian series.
September 9, 2016
Ettrick (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Ordovician and Silurian greywackes and shales.
September 9, 2016
Darleith (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Basaltic lavas and various igneous rocks e.g. dolerites, agglomerates.
September 9, 2016
Corby (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Acid rocks, mainly schists and granites.
TYPES OF PARENT MATERIALS MAPPED:
Fluvioglacial sands and gravels, raised beach terraces
September 9, 2016
Balrownie (Research Page)
DERIVATION:
Old Red Sandstone rocks, principally sandstone with some erratics of Dalradian schist
September 9, 2016
Arkaig (Research Page)
Derivation:
Schists, gneisses, granulites and quartzites, principally of the Moine Assemblage.
September 9, 2016
Soil Texture (Research Page)
Soil Particles and Texture
Soils are generally a mixture of Sand / Silt and Clay Texture refers to the overall feel of the soil, which reflects the proportion of sand, silt and clay particles, and often the amount of organic matter mixed...
September 9, 2016
Topography (Research Page)
Block diagram of soil depth within Highland environment. A hydrologic soil sequence in permeable parent material The configuration of the land influences the drainage and the subsequent formation of the soil:
September 9, 2016
Soil Climate (Research Page)
Climate affects soil formation through local differences in precipitation (snowfall and rainfall) and temperature. It also indirectly influences the soil by determining the mass and distribution of plant communities, the soil water balance over...
September 9, 2016
Duneland, Maritime grassland and heaths (Research Page)
DUNELANDS
Areas of windblown sand, generally near coasts and having distinctive, though varied dune landforms are characteristic of this category. Vegetation cover may be incomplete so that bare sand is exposed, in other instances dunes are...
September 9, 2016
Land Cover Surveys (Research Page)
Land cover describes the principal features and characteristics of the countryside. Data on land cover, both in map and statistical format, is essential to assess the stock and distribution of landscape features as well as the determination of...
September 9, 2016
Woodland (Research Page)
In general terms there are two dominant woodland types, broadleaved and coniferous.
September 9, 2016
LCS88 Dataset (Research Page)
The LCS dataset was completed after three distinct work phases:
September 9, 2016
Coarse Grassland (Research Page)
Flying bent (Molinia caerulea) or white bent (Nardus stricta) predominate and plant communities include these plant species with some bog myrtle (Myrica gale) present in western areas.
September 9, 2016
Arable Land and Improved Grassland (Research Page)
An extensive feature, agricultural land comprises land formed in a rotation of arable crops and short-ley grassland. Crops include cereals, potatoes, root crops, field vegetables, oil seed rape, field soft fruits and fodder crops.
August 8, 2016
Mixed Agriculture (Research Page)
Land capable of supporting Mixed Agriculture (Class 3.2 to Class 4.2)
Distribution of land capable of supporting mixed agriculture in Scotland which covers 1,541,100 hectares or 20 per cent of Scotland's land area.
August 8, 2016
Improved Grassland (Research Page)
Land capable of supporting Improved Grassland (Class 5.1 to Class 5.3)
August 8, 2016
Arable Agriculture (Research Page)
Land capable of supporting Arable Agriculture (Class 1 to Class 3.1)
The distribution of land capable of supporting arable agriculture in Scotland which covers 625,800 hectares or 8 per cent of Scotland's land area
August 8, 2016
Rough Grazing (Research Page)
Land capable of supporting only Rough Grazing (Class 6.1 to Class 7)
Distribution of land capable of supporting only rough grazing in Scotland which covers 4.035,800 hectares or 51 per cent of Scotland's land area.
August 8, 2016
Waste Utilisation (Research Page)
Changes in the EU and UK regulatory framework mean that alternatives to landfill and dumping at sea must be found for a range of organic wastes. Recycling to land is a favoured option, but there are both associated benefits and risks,...
August 8, 2016
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Research Page)
The leaching of nitrate to both ground and surface waters is a natural consequence of agricultural activity but excessive levels of nitrates can alter the natural ecology of rivers and pollute drinking waters.
August 8, 2016
Land Capability for Agriculture (Research Page)
This classification groups land according to the degree of limitation imposed by biophysical factors on agriculture. It is used by Scottish Goverment and planning authorities when development or other changes to agricultural land are proposed.
August 8, 2016
Indicators of Sustainablity (Research Page)
There is a wide range of pressures on the environment that may restrict or confine our use of the land in the future. Using this as a guide on the meaning of sustainable use we can start to identify and minimise the risk of any pressure adversely...
August 8, 2016
Forestry Potential (Research Page)
This classification classifies land according to the degree of limitation imposed by biophysical factors on economic forestry activities.
August 8, 2016
Central Lowlands (Research Page)
Rolling hills within Glen Devon, south of Gleneagles
July 7, 2016
Soils and Sustainability (Research Page)
Soils fulfil a number of ecological and other functions more directly related to human activity most soils support more than one function at a time. These functions can be grouped into 6 categories:
February 2, 2014
Introduction to Exploring Scotland (Research Page)
The relationship between the Soil and Scottish landscape, is at times simple, in others exceedingly complex.