2026 marks 300 years since the birth of James Hutton – Scotland’s Enlightenment polymath whose curiosity in the field led him to a radical insight: earth is a living dynamic system, continually renewing itself.

From the soils he tended as a farmer to the rocks he read as a scientist, Hutton connected processes across land, water and time.

Today, The James Hutton Institute carries that systems legacy forward – combining world class research in soils, crops and the environment to help Scotland and the world grow food sustainably and steward nature wisely. Join us as we celebrate Hutton’s tercentenary, and build to the pinnacle on his birthday, 3 June 2026.

The Hutton is marking this year with several activities inspired by the tercentenary.

Discover how the Tercentenary Campaign Group is celebrating James Hutton’s 300th anniversary.