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November 11, 2015

Ecological Sciences (Research Page)

Ecological Sciences (ES) is a multi-disciplinary collective of over 65 researchers with a unique breadth of scientific expertise, skills and knowledge in the ecology, physiology and systematics of microbes, lichens, fungi, plants, soils, and...
October 10, 2023
Scotland’s Net Zero by 2045: Modeling societal metabolic potentials and scenarios toward emissions reductions
August 8, 2023

CODECS (Project)

CODECS is a four-year project funded under the European Commission “Horizon Europe” programme. The project aims to support farmers and growers across Europe to improve their understanding of the social, economic and environmental...
August 8, 2023

COEVOLVERS (Project)

July 7, 2023
The James Hutton Institute and the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) are collaborating to present this year’s Fruit for the Future showcase at Invergowrie, Dundee on the 27th of July 2023. Jam-packed with the latest soft fruit...
April 4, 2023
This article first appeared in Insider online on 21 April 2023 At the beginning of this year, the James Hutton Institute appointed a new entrepreneur in residence – a man with more than 30 years of global business experience, George...
April 4, 2023
The James Hutton Institute has today (April 21) become one of the first recipients of the new King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. The award recognises the institute’s world-leading research on sustainability...
April 4, 2023

Prunus Research (Research Page)

This will be a page of text about Prunus research.  
April 4, 2023

Vaccinium Genetics (Research Page)

This will be a page of text about Vaccinium Genetics. References .
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...
March 3, 2023
A northeast farm that’s working to show how agriculture can be both climate positive and nature friendly is opening its gates – and new EV charging points – to the public at the end of the month. As part of this year’s...
February 2, 2023
The James Hutton Institute is issuing a last call for farmers and land managers across Scotland to enter its long-running soil competition, Best Soil in Show, which aims to highlight the importance of healthy soils across the country. Soil...
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
The James Hutton institute has invested more than £1.75 million in new, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to enhance its leading independent scientific research capabilities across food, plant and soil health and quality. The largest...
February 2, 2023
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
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...
January 1, 2023
Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute. This article first appeared in The Herald on 26 January Global food security is going to be a dominant economic theme over the next decade. Since the Russian invasion of...
January 1, 2023
Not washing vegetables grown in urban environments before eating them could increase people’s intake of heavy metal contaminants like lead by up to 130%, according to a new study. The study, led by researchers from Sweden and Scotland,...
January 1, 2023
The James Hutton Institute has been awarded £1 million by the Wolfson Foundation, for equipment to support a new Molecular Phenotyping Centre. The Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to...
January 1, 2023
The findings of a ground-breaking farm trial investigating potato varieties resistant to crop-destroying potato cyst nematodes (PCN) were revealed last week at the James Hutton Institute (JHI) in Invergowrie. The PCN Action Scotland Winter...
January 1, 2023
The James Hutton Institute and McLaughlin & Harvey have signed construction contracts worth £28.7m for the next stage of the ongoing redevelopment of The James Hutton Institute’s Invergowrie estate.
January 1, 2023
Researchers working on an ancient form of barley grown only on Unst, Shetland’s northernmost island, have returned from a knowledge exchange trip to Germany that will help them and others better understand its specific traits. By learning...
December 12, 2022
Following successful field trials, the James Hutton Institute based at Invergowrie, has donated three tonnes of locally grown potatoes to Cyrenians, Scotland’s charity for homelessness, for distribution to communities in need across the...
December 12, 2022
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our e-magazine is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Showing how Institute research is helping in the fight to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, currently being...
December 12, 2022
Researchers from The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen are collaborating on a new project led by the University of Stirling to explore how pollution and climate change are impacting freshwater ecosystems. The study, MOT4Rivers, will...
December 12, 2022
COP15 is currently taking place in Montreal, Canada, where governments from around the world have gathered, aiming to agree on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.
December 12, 2022
The James Hutton Institute welcomed a sold-out audience to its Craigiebuckler campus last night, for an event with author and artist Andrew Redmond Barr. Andrew’s book, The Atlas of Scotland, showcases Scotland’s history through his...
November 11, 2022
This article first appeared in Farming Scotland magazine The healing effects of Manuka honey are well established and widely recognised. The NHS even recommends Manuka Medihoney as an effective treatment for wounds and burns.
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
MERLIN, a project committed to transformative ecosystem restoration through Nature-based Solutions, co-led by the James Hutton Institute, is offering companies a unique opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge work to develop products and...
November 11, 2022
This release was issued by the Dee Catchment Partnership:
November 11, 2022
This article first appeared in The Courier on the 31st October 2022 Nestled into the hillside in the stunningly desolate Svalbard region of Norway, the entrance to the global seed bank looks like part of the set of an epic disaster movie....
October 10, 2022
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are investigating the ways in which communities have adapted public spaces during the Covid-19 pandemic. Every community in the UK felt the impacts of the pandemic, and many of us experienced a complete...
October 10, 2022
The James Hutton Institute has been appointed to undertake research on the long-term future of the Mourne Mountains. Making the announcement at a recent workshop with stakeholders at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in Newcastle, Finance...
October 10, 2022
This article first appeared in The Times Thunderer column on 10th October By Professor Derek Stewart, Director, Advanced Plant Growth Centre, the James Hutton Institute As a crop scientist with over 30 years’ experience in the research...
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...
September 9, 2022
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are researching ways to prepare for and prevent future threats to arable and horticultural production in Scotland.  In work funded by the Scottish Government’sRural and Environment Science and...
September 9, 2022
A Scottish scientist is to co-lead an elite project group of 22 European partners, looking to create resilient crops for the future. Yield is projected to plummet by a third due to extremes in temperatures and greater variation in rainfall...
August 8, 2022
James Hutton is often regarded as the founder of modern geology, his research reset the world view on the Earth's processes and made possible other major theories such as continental drift and the theory of evolution. However, many people...
August 8, 2022
Today marks International Beer Day, a global celebration of beer, taking place in pubs, breweries, and backyards all over the world. Behind great tasting beer is great science, like the barley research taking place at the James Hutton Institute...
August 8, 2022
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen have worked with The Glenlivet distillery to introduce environmentally sustainable solutions at Chivas Brothers’ Speyside distillery to address water scarcity and...
August 8, 2022
The James Hutton Institute has announced the retirement of Professor Bob Ferrier following 37 years of service. Professor Ferrier contributed widely across Institute activities as a respected member of the Executive team and Director of the...
August 8, 2022
Potatoes in Practice (PiP), the UK’s largest field event for potatoes, is set to return to Balruddery Farm in Angus on Thursday 11th August 2022 with a focus on new research and current challenges.
August 8, 2022
The James Hutton Institute, world leaders in soil science, will be showcasing a number of soil research initiatives at the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) which is taking place in Glasgow from 31 July - 5 August, this year the theme is...
July 7, 2022
Imagine crops that can be used to help secure enough food for a growing global population while benefiting the environment. Well, there are such crops: legumes. Legume plants, like pea, broad bean, soya bean, clover and cowpea, can team up with...
July 7, 2022
Two species of fungi new to the UK have been discovered in Scotland’s Cairngorm mountains by a team of volunteers working with the James Hutton Institute and Plantlife, the international wild plant conservation charity. Amanita...
June 6, 2022
After a two-year enforced hiatus, the James Hutton Institute’s return to the Royal Highland Show was a success: a steady stream of visitors visited the marquee including farmers, research partners and families, as well as a significant...
June 6, 2022
Do you have any burning questions about the key issues influencing Scotland’s arable industry? Are you interested in sustainable farming practices and how best to achieve net-zero? Then why not visit Arable Scotland (Balruddery Farm near...
June 6, 2022
The Royal Highland Show (23-26 June 2022, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8NB) is one of Scotland's most iconic events, and while it showcases the very best of farming food and rural life, it could be argued that it is actually a science, research...
June 6, 2022
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are seen as a key focus for managing nature, to tackle some of the major societal challenges associated with the climate and biodiversity crises.
June 6, 2022
Phosphorus is an essential but often overlooked resource, which is vital for life on Earth and is extracted from phosphate rock for use in crop fertilisers, livestock feeds and food additives. A major new report by scientists warns that global...
June 6, 2022
Two hundred and ninety-six years ago, one of the most influential Scots ever was born: a man whose influence on our understanding of the earth was revolutionary at the time and has unlocked vast areas of related knowledge since then. He...
June 6, 2022
The world’s first “climate-positive” gin, created using the humble garden pea, was recognised at the Herard’s Higher Education Awards on Tuesday, when the team behind the gin secured the “Outstanding Business...
June 6, 2022
Work by researchers at the James Hutton Institute that helps protect Scotland’s valuable potato crop against late blight is to continue thanks to funding from the Scottish Government for the Fight Against Blight (FAB) campaign in 2022....
May 5, 2022
Plant professionals from science, government and industry are gathering in Dundee to take part in Scotland’s Plant Health Conference – an event that will shine a light on the importance of keeping our plant resources safe in the face...
May 5, 2022
An innovative survey of Scotland’s mountain hares involving volunteer citizen scientists has been hailed as a success in a new report published today. Last year, hillwalkers, bird and mammal surveyors and other outdoor enthusiasts took...
May 5, 2022
Research by James Hutton Institute and Heriot-Watt University scientists has carried out the first review of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Scotland’s waters.
May 5, 2022
By Prof Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, James Hutton Institute Last week in the Queen’s speech, it was announced that the UK Government would be bringing forward a new Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding Bill). Unless you work in the...
May 5, 2022
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP, visited the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee campus to discuss the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, which sets out a clear commitment to support a...
May 5, 2022
Ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity on Sunday 22nd May, Dr Kenneth Loades stresses the importance of preserving biodiversity. There is nothing better than waking up early on a warm summer morning to hear a variety of...
May 5, 2022
Dr Rebekka Artz, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences department, has been included in the inaugural ENDS Power List, which names the 100 UK environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact...
May 5, 2022
A series of Fascination of Plants Day events across Aberdeen will take place from the 14th to the 21st of May to highlight the impact of climate change on the natural world, featuring a range of activities from plant sales to sessions...
May 5, 2022
A Hutton scientific study summarising six years of agricultural research undertaken for the Scottish Government highlights the impact of the use of ecological principles in agriculture on sustainability, resilience, and provision of ecosystem...
April 4, 2022
Dr Mike Rivington, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Information and Computational Sciences department, has contributed evidence to a session of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee of the...
April 4, 2022
From one little seed planted in soil, many things can arise: our food, feed, paper, medicines, chemicals, energy and an enjoyable landscape – pretty much everything we need to survive on this planet. On Wednesday 18th May, join scientific...
April 4, 2022
Forensic scientists from across Europe are gathering in Aberdeen for the ninth meeting of the Animal, Plant and Soil Traces (APST) Working Group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). Around 50 experts are expected...
April 4, 2022
Arable Scotland, the country’s premier arable event featuring knowledge and solutions for the arable industry, returns to the field in 2022 with a focus on net-zero carbon emissions and markets. The one-day event will take place at...
April 4, 2022
The Research Network on Economic Experiments for the Common Agricultural Policy (REECAP), which aims to create bridges across evaluation communities and encourage knowledge exchange with policy makers, has been awarded the annual Center for...
April 4, 2022
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, visited the James Hutton Institute’s Glensaugh Research Farm, near Laurencekirk, site of our Climate-Positive Farming Initiative. Climate-...
April 4, 2022
The flux tower network in Scotland is to be extended and enhanced to better understand the carbon and climate impact of restoring peatlands. Supported by over £1 million of Scottish Government funding, three additional flux towers to be...
April 4, 2022
Intensification and the separation of crops, livestock and forestry production systems in agriculture contributes greatly to climate change and biodiversity loss. A new 1.33 million European funded project, co-ordinated by researchers at the...
April 4, 2022
A five-year, £3.7m research project involving scientists from across the UK and partners across Europe will assess the risk that climate change poses to our peatlands and create the capability to better manage these important ecosystems....
March 3, 2022
Professor Robin Pakeman, a plant ecologist at the James Hutton Institute, has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). Formed in 1991 as the Institute of Ecology...
March 3, 2022
New research by James Hutton Institute scientists and partner organisations explores the use of sustainable farming practices in Scotland and how these support long-term land productivity and resilience amongst agricultural businesses.
March 3, 2022
Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters, the Hydro Nation International Centre and the James Hutton Institute joined the annual global celebration of World Water Day with a call to realise the benefits of Scotland’s waters, during...
March 3, 2022
A study carried out by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), with the James Hutton Institute and the Environmental Research Institute (University of the Highlands and Islands) delivered the first national assessment of the emerging...
March 3, 2022
Arthropod pests are estimated to destroy up to 20% of annual crop production worldwide. In recent years, key pesticides used in soft fruit production have been withdrawn, leaving crops vulnerable to attack. Researchers have been developing...
March 3, 2022
The annual Hutton Postgraduate Student Event, which showcases the excellent science being undertaken by postgraduate students at the James Hutton Institute, returned to its traditional in-person format at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre,...
March 3, 2022
Aberdeen Scientific Services Laboratory (ASSL), which is operated by Aberdeen City Council, is to relocate from Old Aberdeen to the James Hutton Institute's Craigiebuckler site.  The move is expected to consolidate the city's...
March 3, 2022
The James Hutton Institute and the Macaulay Development Trust have announced plans for the evolution of the Institute’s Craigiebuckler campus in Aberdeen and will hold a public consultation to allow people to learn more about the vision for...
February 2, 2022
Agar, a jelly-like substance obtained from the cell walls of some species of red algae, is used in food production as a gelling and thickening agent, but it is not currently produced in the UK and has a large carbon footprint. An innovative...
February 2, 2022
The James Hutton Institute has received an accolade for its commitment to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people in the workplace. This year, the Institute received a Bronze award from Stonewall, the world’s second-...
February 2, 2022
A renowned group of barley scientists, including researchers from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee, has issued an open call to ‘galvanize’ the international barley research community from the ground up by...
February 2, 2022
A new report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) and co-authored by Professor Richard Aspinall, an Honorary Fellow of the James Hutton Institute, calls for action from policymakers...
February 2, 2022
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Our February 2022 issue includes:
February 2, 2022
By Pete Iannetta
February 2, 2022
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, got a vision of climate-positive agriculture and future farming technologies when she visited the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. Ms Gougeon...
February 2, 2022
Dr Mike Rivington, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Information and Computational Sciences department, has contributed evidence to a session of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee of the...
January 1, 2022
The potential of grain legume crops such as faba beans to harness the nitrogen present in air into biologically useful forms is well known, but how much of an opportunity does it present for farmers wanting to pursue net-zero agriculture? A...
January 1, 2022
The Crop Production in Northern Britain Conference, the foremost summit discussing environmental management and crop production in northern environments, is back this year as an online event on 1-2 March. CPNB 2022 brings together agronomists,...
January 1, 2022
The James Hutton Institute supports plans being put forward to create a life sciences innovation district for the Dundee region. Dundee City councillors will be asked to kick-start discussions that will explore and agree joint marketing,...
January 1, 2022
Beavers could make an important contribution to improving the condition of Scotland’s rivers, including helping to improve water quality and limiting the effects of drought, new research from the University of Aberdeen and the James Hutton...
January 1, 2022
The James Hutton Institute and Robert Gordon University (RGU) are carrying out research on how COVID-19 restrictions impacted behaviours around food related practices. The study will look at the nature and extent of these changes across different...
January 1, 2022
Daylight is made from a spectrum of wavelengths and plants possess receptors that can detect red and blue light. Blue light is important for plant growth and yet inhibits the immune response of potato plants to Phytophthora infestans, making them...
January 1, 2022
Society needs to re-think its relationship with the natural world if we are to avoid the worst consequences of climate change and pandemics, the James Hutton Institute has urged in the 2022 episode of BBC Scotland’s Resolutions programme...
December 12, 2021
Following on the back of COP26, planning proposals are being put forward to build the UK’s first purpose-built tall tower for directly measuring greenhouse gases from land at the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm, in Angus near...
December 12, 2021
Five climate and disease resilient potato varieties developed by the James Hutton Institute-led Quikgro research project have been approved for release in Malawi by the Agriculture Technology Release Committee of the Malawian Ministry of...
December 12, 2021
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and James Hutton Limited are exploring ways to reduce the losses caused by potato cyst nematodes (PCN) in commercial potato production. PCN is an increasing challenge to the UK fresh and processing potato...
December 12, 2021
By Mike Rivington Will there be turkeys for Christmas? In spite of some likely strains due to Brexit, labour shortages and the familiar yet ever-evolving disruptions of COVID-19, the answer is a fairly safe yes. Yet this is perhaps surprising....
December 12, 2021
Soil seed banks are a hidden stock for plant diversity and are critical for the recovery of disturbed ecosystems. A new study co-authored by Prof Robin Pakeman, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences...
December 12, 2021
By Ken Loades, Roy Neilson, Tracy Valentine and Nikki Baggaley COP26 highlighted more than ever that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and become more sustainable before it’s too late. Soil is a key component in this battle and...
December 12, 2021
A report by a multi-stakeholder working group of the European Technology Platform ‘Plants for the Future’, featuring contributions from James Hutton Institute scientists, has identified three principles that will help transition...
November 11, 2021
New research published today by the James Hutton Institute has found that the shift to virtual meetings and events due to the Covid-19 pandemic improved accessibility to knowledge exchange, networking, and organisations for women working on farms...
November 11, 2021
Diversification of crop systems provides great opportunities to make food production more sustainable and resilient but also faces challenges along the whole value chain. A session at the World Biodiversity Forum (26th June to 1st July 2022) co-...
November 11, 2021
Diseases affecting different UK tree species have been shown to have a multiplying effect on the loss of associated biodiversity, new research by James Hutton Institute scientists and partners in the UK and Portugal has found. In a study...
November 11, 2021
The Dee Catchment Partnership, a collective of organisations tasked with looking after the river Dee catchment in north east Scotland, has won the Nature and Climate Action award at the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards. The highest accolade for...
November 11, 2021
Global water security is under increasing threat through the impacts of climate change, generating increased societal, environmental, and economic risk for communities. A new book launched for COP26, “Water Security Under Climate Change...
November 11, 2021
How do climate negotiations take place and why is progress so slow? How can governments, scientists and activists work together to tackle the climate emergency for everyone's benefit? These questions, and many others, were at the heart of the...
November 11, 2021
What do the next generation think should happen in Scottish agriculture to overcome the challenges of climate change and halt carbon emissions? This will be the topic for discussion during a tour and workshop at the James Hutton Institute’s...
October 10, 2021
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
The UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY) will take place in Glasgow from the 28-31 October. The event is regarded as the largest and longest running youth event to date, gathering thousands of young changemakers from more than 140...
October 10, 2021
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Our October 2021 issue includes:
October 10, 2021
The Macaulay Development Trust with the James Hutton Institute are delighted to host the 43rd TB Macaulay Lecture, live and online on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 at 19:00 GMT, from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Hosted by acclaimed...
October 10, 2021
The Mylnefield Trust have awarded the inaugural John Hillman Scholarship to Jessica Shadbolt, a PhD student at the James Hutton Institute, for research on barley breeding. The new scholarship celebrates the life and achievements of Professor...
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...
October 10, 2021
After a year’s break in 2020, the Macaulay Development Trust and the James Hutton Institute are delighted to host the 43rd TB Macaulay Lecture. Coinciding this year with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in...
October 10, 2021
An industry-wide consortium, led by producer organisation G’s Growers and supported by the James Hutton Institute, the University of Dundee and James Hutton Limited, has won a UKRI-BBSRC collaborative training partnership award (...
October 10, 2021
Chris Scott-Park, of Portnellan Farm, on the banks of Loch Lomond, has been chosen as the winner of the final NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant of the Year for 2021. Originally a successful organic beef business and winners of the James Hutton...
October 10, 2021
The next generation of barley researchers have received a multi-million investment through the Barley Industrial Training Network (BARIToNE) programme, a Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP) led by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, the...
October 10, 2021
The National Soil Archive of Scotland, held at the Aberdeen campus of the James Hutton Institute, has added two large samples of Dopplerite to its collection by gift of the executors of Mr William Filshie. Dopplerite is a naturally occurring, but...
September 9, 2021
Bioinformaticians at the James Hutton Institute are supporting a 10-year, US$58m initiative launched by the Crop Trust and the Government of Norway to improve global food security and climate resilience. The newly announced BOLD (Biodiversity...
September 9, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has welcomed plans unveiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to pave the way to enable use of gene editing technologies in England. Gene editing can unlock benefits to nature, the...
September 9, 2021
An all-female team of scientists from the James Hutton Institute travelled to Shetland to install the most northerly micrometeorological station in the UK to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from eroded peatland. The station, set up on a site...
September 9, 2021
Agricultural resilience is critical across Europe, but how can individual farms ensure they are ‘future proofed’? This question will be at the centre of an international online event to be held on Tuesday 21st September (8 – 9....
September 9, 2021
Dr Rebekka Artz, a senior research scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences department, has contributed evidence to an inquiry by the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Lords into the role of nature-...
September 9, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are seeking views from farmers and farming professionals from across Europe in relation to the support, challenges and opportunities for new entrant farmers.
September 9, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research are calling on arable farmers from across Scotland to help them develop a greater understanding of attitudes towards making risky decisions...
September 9, 2021
David Beattie, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) researcher exploring how seaweed-based feeds can help achieve benefits in Scotland’s premium animal feeds sector, has been shortlisted for a Knowledge Transfer Network “Best of the...
September 9, 2021
The partnership in charge of looking after the river Dee catchment in north east Scotland is a finalist in the Nature of Scotland Awards. Shortlisted for the Climate Action Award, the Hutton-supported Dee Catchment Partnership has been recognised...
September 9, 2021
Celebrating the inspirational people, projects, groups and organisations working hard to protect Scotland’s precious natural heritage, the shortlist has now been announced for the Nature of Scotland Awards 2021, including finalists for the...
September 9, 2021
As the eyes of the world turn to Glasgow for the upcoming COP26, the James Hutton Institute has supported the recommendations issued by the Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) in a report launched today, which outlines a series of key actions...
August 8, 2021
An estimated £1.2 billion of Scotland’s buildings, transport infrastructure, cultural and natural heritage may be at risk of coastal erosion by 2050, according to new research funded by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), a...
August 8, 2021
Building work has now begun on the International Barley Hub (IBH) and Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) at the James Hutton Institute. The two plant science innovation centres are being supported by £45 million from the UK Government...
August 8, 2021
Large-scale conservation work across the Dee catchment has been given the green light thanks to a major cash injection of over half a million pounds. A variety of projects comprising floodplain restoration, woodland expansion and peatland...
August 8, 2021
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have responded to the latest international report on climate change by emphasising their continued determination to address the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced.
August 8, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are calling on livestock farmers and vets in the UK to help develop a greater understanding of the use of on farm anti-microbials. It is widely believed that overuse and improper use of anti-...
August 8, 2021
Crop pathogens like Phytophthora infestans – the origin of several European potato famines in the 19th century - still cause US$300bn worth of damage to global crop production each year and continue to threaten world food security.
August 8, 2021
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute will contribute to one of six research teams tasked with developing new tools and approaches to help trees and woodlands adapt to climate change and enable the UK to reach the goal of net zero...
August 8, 2021
Dr Ruth Mitchell, a Plant Soil Ecologist at the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences department, has been appointed as a member of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Trees and Woodlands Science...
July 7, 2021
A new website which brings together thousands of research publications, dating back centuries to the present day, has been launched by six Scottish Government funded partners.  
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...
July 7, 2021
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the publication of a report on the UK’s National Food Strategy, which calls on the UK Government to commit to a landmark package of reforms to build a better food system for a...
July 7, 2021
New social research conducted by the James Hutton Institute for the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan paints a mixed picture of life in Scotland’s islands: while most respondents rate their local environment very highly and...
July 7, 2021
New research on the attitudes of people working in the UK dairy sector has revealed that many dairy farmers believe cows should graze for part of the year. Findings of the ‘Cows eat grass, don’t they?’ study, funded by the...
July 7, 2021
Scientists from all over the world have come together in the 6th Forum Carpaticum to present their research and discuss the sustainable development of the Carpathian region and mountain areas more generally. The event was organised online by the...
June 6, 2021
The partnership tasked with looking after the River Dee catchment has published a summary of its achievements over the last 15 years and is seeking public comment on priorities for future projects. Established in 2003 with the support of the...
June 6, 2021
The James Hutton Institute was delighted to welcome a visit by His Excellency Mr Manoah Esipisu, High Commissioner of Kenya to the UK, and his team to our Dundee site. The visit, set up through James Hutton Limited’s membership of the...
June 6, 2021
Scotland has a legally binding commitment of being net-zero by 2045, and a 31% reduction is required in emissions from agriculture by 2032. This topic will be under discussion in the fourth Arable Conversations session on 29th June 2021 at 6:00...
June 6, 2021
SEFARI Gateway and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) are funding a collaborative project between the James Hutton Institute, the Soil Association Scotland, and Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) to carry out...
June 6, 2021
The latest seminar of the International Barley Hub took place on Tuesday 22nd June and discussed Barley Varieties - The Recommendation System. It was led by Dr Paul Gosling and chaired by George Lawrie, IBH. Barley breeders are...
June 6, 2021
Join us at Arable Scotland on 29th June for a virtual Arable Conversation with Pete Iannetta (James Hutton Institute), Ed Brown (Hutchinsons), Dick Neale (Hutchinsons), Christine Watson (SRUC) and Paul Hargreaves (SRUC), which will look at...
June 6, 2021
International Barley Hub scientists have been awarded a prestigious International Partnership award from BBSRC to strengthen the link between world leading research teams in the UK and Europe. The aim of the grant is to create new working...
June 6, 2021
Arable Scotland, the premier event for the Scottish arable industry, returns on 29th June 2021. Now in its third year, the event brings together the key players in food production, academia and farming to discuss key issues and provide a wealth...
June 6, 2021
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to support one of seven Climate Beacons that are taking shape across Scotland in the run-up to and beyond the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference that’s happening in Glasgow this November.
June 6, 2021
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Our June 2021 issue, published on what would...
June 6, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has announced the appointment of Professor Chris Gilligan to its Board of Directors, effective from the 1st of June. Professor Gilligan is Head of Epidemiology and Modelling Group in the Department of Plant Sciences at...
May 5, 2021
The critical role soil can play in forensic investigations has again been highlighted by the involvement of the James Hutton Institute's soil forensics team in a high-profile case, this time the inquiry by Police Scotland into the...
May 5, 2021
Plant scientists at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee have won funding to establish a partnership with world-class researchers in Australia. This will allow the leading research organisations to pool their expertise towards...
May 5, 2021
Undergraduate student Johanna Maria Würtz, who undertook a 1,150-mile hike alongside her Shetland pony Hechizo to take on a barley science placement at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, has completed her work in Scotland and plans to...
May 5, 2021
The James Hutton Institute have donated several laptops and desktop computers to an Aberdeen based charity with the aim of supporting the local community. The Aberdeen Cyrenians have spent over 50 years providing care services and a range of...
May 5, 2021
An international team of scientists including Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) has discovered the perfect cocktail of physical activity that could help live a healthier, longer life.
May 5, 2021
The historical ‘forest gardens’ of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, have provided the inspiration for a research group studying the feasibility of small-scale production systems in the area. The region is one of the world...
May 5, 2021
A new research project involving 39 partners from 19 countries and including James Hutton Institute scientists has received €10 million from the European Union. The Horizon 2020 funded project FireEUrisk, launching this month, aims to shift...
May 5, 2021
The partnership tasked with looking after the river Dee catchment in north east Scotland is a finalist in the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards. Shortlisted for the Beautiful Aberdeenshire Environmental Award, the Dee Catchment Partnership’s...
May 5, 2021
The public are invited to discover the wonderful world of plants and the people who work with them at an upcoming event at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, co-organised by scientists at the James Hutton Institute. ‘Plant Power...
May 5, 2021
Legume plants can make ‘smart’ management decisions when it comes to interacting with their symbiotic bacterial partners to harness nitrogen from the atmosphere, a research team including a James Hutton Institute scientist has shown,...
May 5, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has announced the appointment of Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, to its Board of Directors as a non-executive director. Sir Paul held the position of Clerk and Chief...
May 5, 2021
From one little seed, planted into soil, many green lives can arise – from small herbs up to big trees, or from ornamental flowers to substantial crops which all animals and humans need to survive on this planet. Plant biologists estimate...
April 4, 2021
Plant scientists at the James Hutton Institute are studying the evolution of late blight in potato by working with industry and research partners to track the distribution and diversity of dominant clones in Europe in 2020, and have also...
April 4, 2021
Substantial cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions could be achieved by raising water levels in agricultural peatlands, according to a new study co-authored by James Hutton Institute scientists and published in the journal Nature. Peatlands...
April 4, 2021
A partnership agreement has been signed between Utah State University and the James Hutton Institute to promote cooperation in agricultural and environmental research, with emphasis on climate change issues. The agreement was signed by...
April 4, 2021
How will food production respond to the effects of COVID-19 in the next 18 months? Which sectors are likely to experience change? These questions are at the heart of research examining how best to protect the UK’s food and nutrition...
April 4, 2021
An industry team led by agritech specialist Liberty Produce and supported by the James Hutton Institute has won Innovate UK funding to develop innovative hybrid farming and greenhouse technologies to work towards Singapore’s food security...
April 4, 2021
The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers has presented its 2021 Matthew Mack Award to soft fruit scientist Dr Rex Brennan, an Honorary Associate of the James Hutton Institute. This triennial award is to recognise distinguished achievements in...
April 4, 2021
A new mobile app has been launched to provide farmers, land managers and the public with a quick, easy way to learn about soil erosion in Scotland and contribute their own records and images to improve our current understanding and to...
April 4, 2021
Even if it has not yet been detected north of the border, Scottish growers must take adequate steps to monitor growing areas for the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), a new potential threat to the UK’s agricultural,...
April 4, 2021
A research project examining the potential of using crushed basic silicate rocks as a soil input, for enhanced carbon sequestration and soil biodiversity, has reported positive results.
April 4, 2021
"World-leading research to provide government, business and decision makers with the evidence that they need to develop a robust food and nutrition security response to COVID-19." The project partners have launched a survey to gather...
April 4, 2021
First Milk, Nestlé and Agricarbon have announced the launch of a pioneering soil carbon capture project, with scientific guidance from leading soil ecologist and James Hutton Institute Honorary Associate, Dr Helaina Black. The project...
March 3, 2021
Celebrating the inspirational people, projects, groups and organisations working hard to protect Scotland’s precious environment, the tenth Nature of Scotland Awards are open for applications until Tuesday 14th June, with the James Hutton...
March 3, 2021
Professor Philip J. White, a research specialist in plant ecophysiology at the James Hutton Institute, has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 87...
March 3, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has required many people to adapt their lifestyles and livelihoods to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus. A new report by SEFARI researchers at the James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)...
March 3, 2021
Volunteers are wanted for the first on-the-ground national survey to shed light on the distribution and numbers of Scottish mountain hares. The survey, which is launched today and will carry on throughout 2021, is calling on hillwalkers,...
March 3, 2021
The International Barley Hub and the Advanced Plant Growth Centre, two flagship innovation projects supported through a transformational capital investment of £45m by the UK Government and £17m by the Scottish Government via the Tay...
March 3, 2021
A series of eight free-to-attend webinars and networking events will explore the many opportunities surrounding legume production and use. The webinars series will take in April and May this year and are being organised by the European...
March 3, 2021
The productivity of cereal crops could get a boost in the future thanks to the discovery of new roles for a master gene regulator that influences the development of barley florets, furthering the understanding of grain development including...
March 3, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has welcomed the publication of the new 10-year UK Plant Science Research Strategy. The document provides a framework for research and skills development to ensure UK plant science can play a strong role in solving...
March 3, 2021
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute, working alongside partners at China Agriculture University, have discovered novel ways in which arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria and plant roots interact to influence the transfer of nutrients to...
March 3, 2021
What is the true value of water in Scotland and what does it mean to you? On Monday 22nd March, the Hydro Nation International Centre, supported by the Scottish Government and the James Hutton Institute are hosting a free online celebration of...
March 3, 2021
A recent study published in Conservation Letters co-authored by a James Hutton Institute ecologist has investigated the number of women and the geographic distribution among the 1051 top-publishing authors in 13 leading journals in ecology and...
February 2, 2021
How can we produce a Europe that is spatially and socially just? Is it possible to discuss cohesion and territorial development policy without considering localities and local experiences? The RELOCAL policy conference (15th March) will focus on...
February 2, 2021
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and partner institutions are set to explore previously undiscovered mechanisms through which the pathogen responsible for late blight in potato, Phytophthora infestans, breaks through cell walls to infect...
February 2, 2021
What are the lessons we can all learn from land reform in Scotland, and what are the challenges still faced by our rural communities? Dr Annie McKee, a social researcher at the James Hutton Institute, will tackle these and other questions during...
February 2, 2021
The advantages of Flapjack, the James Hutton Institute’s multi-platform application providing interactive visualizations of high-throughput genotype data, were demonstrated at a recent workshop organised with the purpose of helping wheat...
February 2, 2021
Tomnah’a Market Garden, a community-focused enterprise located at Comrie Croft in Perthshire, has been declared the winner of the NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant Farm Business of the Year for 2020. Tomnah’a is run by Cristy Gilbert,...
February 2, 2021
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our February 2021 issue:
February 2, 2021
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are looking for dairy calf rearers to join a workshop as part of an EU-funded research project. The workshop is one of three events aiming to identify challenges calf rearers face and solutions within the...
February 2, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has announced the appointment of directors for three flagship research and innovation initiatives: the International Barley Hub (IBH) and the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC), both based in Dundee, and the...
February 2, 2021
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the James Hutton Institute is highlighting its ‘Women in Science’ booklet, which spotlights the roles of 21 of its 204 female scientists. The collection illustrates some of...
February 2, 2021
By Pete Iannetta and Alison Karley, Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the UK’s systems of food supply, raising further questions about the adaptability of global food systems in a crisis - in...
February 2, 2021
Scotland's Climate Change Plan update was published on 16 December 2020 and is currently undergoing scrutiny from parliamentary committees. The update includes new targets for Scotland’s agriculture and forestry sectors and suggestions...
February 2, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic, already a major shock to society in terms of health and economy, is affecting both UK and global food and nutrition security and adding to a ‘perfect storm’ of threats to society from climate change,...
January 1, 2021
As part of the EU Horizon 2020 research project DIVERSify, researchers of the James Hutton Institute and partner institutions have been working on investigating the viability of species mixture cropping as an alternative to crop monoculture....
January 1, 2021
January 1, 2021
In support of the James Hutton Institute’s Climate-Positive Farming initiative at Glensaugh, which explores a transformational approach to farming that achieves net-zero or even negative carbon emissions whilst protecting natural assets and...
January 1, 2021
Recognition of the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership’s (NESBiP) 2020 Biodiversity Champion Awards has this year gone virtual. The awards acknowledge the efforts of local individuals and projects that have had positive impacts in...
January 1, 2021
Increased demand in berries across Europe meets the challenges brought on by climate change, environmental preservation and the need for new cultivation systems as well as high-quality produce. The new research project BreedingValue, a European...
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...
January 1, 2021
The James Hutton Institute has welcomed plans unveiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to consult on gene editing, a technique which could unlock benefits to nature, the environment and help farmers with crops...
January 1, 2021
2021 is the United Nations' International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, bringing public attention to the key role of fruit and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health – all key strands of work at the James Hutton...
December 12, 2020
The potential of innovative mixed-species crop systems to increase the sustainability of food production will be under the spotlight at an online conference focussing on the latest findings on intercropping research from lab to field.
December 12, 2020
River corridors exemplify places in busy farmed landscapes where researchers and land managers can use environmental measures for multiple benefits. These areas often fringe the main working points of the farm but are important interface zones...
December 12, 2020
The James Hutton Institute has today welcomed the signing of the Tay Cities Deal, hailing it as a huge vote of confidence in Tayside, while also highlighting the urgency of innovation projects funded by the Deal including the International Barley...
December 12, 2020
Mountain hares in Scotland show increasing camouflage mismatch due to less snowy winters, according to a new study carried out by an international research team including the James Hutton Institute. Mountain hares are one of multiple species...
December 12, 2020
Mayan Gold and Vales Sovereign potatoes developed in Tayside by the James Hutton Institute and grown on Hutton research farms as part of a long-term trial of sustainable cultivation methods are being donated to food banks across Tayside in time...
December 12, 2020
Dr Jorunn Bos, a principal investigator in the Division of Plant Sciences of the University of Dundee at the James Hutton Institute, has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council Consolidator grant worth almost €2 million to...
December 12, 2020
The James Hutton Institute has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to undertake a feasibility study for a green-hydrogen-powered farming community around its Glensaugh farm....
December 12, 2020
A €5.5m research project involving 27 members from 12 European countries including James Hutton Institute scientists has been formed with the aim of reducing food losses and waste across Europe. The Lowinfood project, funded by the European...
December 12, 2020
By Pete Iannetta, Alison Karley, Cathy Hawes and David Michie
December 12, 2020
A scientific team featuring researchers of the James Hutton Institute and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) has scooped the Innovation Award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2020. Led by Royal Botanic Garden...
November 11, 2020
Scotland boasts a hugely varied coastline and a rich offering of inland waters in both rural and urban settings which host an amazing array of riches, come in all shapes and sizes, and are greatly valued and cherished by communities and visitors...
November 11, 2020
An international research team including scientists from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee has reached a milestone on the way to unravelling the species-wide genetic diversity of domesticated barley. With the complete genome...
November 11, 2020
Professor Ian Toth has been recognised with the British Potato Industry Award 2020 for his invaluable contribution to the potato industry over the past 25 years. The prestigious lifetime achievement award was presented by AHDB Potatoes Chair,...
November 11, 2020
We hear about ‘climate change’ and ‘biodiversity loss’ all the time these days. We hear considerably less about how to tackle them, so it’s time to shout about a project that does just that. The restoration of the...
November 11, 2020
How can we use the Natural Capital Protocol (NCP) to help land managers when considering agricultural land use decisions? How can the NCP contribute to ongoing initiatives to test natural capital approaches in land-based business in Scotland?...
November 11, 2020
A new hydrological study co-authored by James Hutton Institute PhD student Camilla Negri and colleagues based in Italy has shown that winter flooding, the application of water onto agricultural lands to recharge groundwater aquifers during...
November 11, 2020
The global use of personal protection equipment (PPE) has skyrocketed due to COVID-19, propelling the industry to revenues of more than £8bn in the UK alone, and although a coronavirus vaccine now seems closer, PPE is likely to remain a...
November 11, 2020
Moorland management in Scotland has come under the spotlight in a series of reports assessing the socio-economic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors and the employment rights of gamekeepers.
November 11, 2020
Professor Maria Nijnik, a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department, has been appointed a member of the UK Expert Committee on Forest Science. The Committee was established...
October 10, 2020
How is population decline affecting island communities? What opportunities are there for sustainable economic development on Scotland’s islands? These questions, and many others, are at the heart of research being carried out by social...
October 10, 2020
Are you the UK's best NEWBIE farmer? The James Hutton Institute, as part of the EU-funded NEWBIE project (New Entrant netWork: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in European agriculture) is calling for...
October 10, 2020
Supporting the next generation of new and young farmers is critical to the sustainability of agriculture in Scotland and across Europe, but how can we encourage young people to see farming as a future and worthwhile career? This question will...
October 10, 2020
The James Hutton Institute has today announced the appointment of a new Chair for the Institute Board.
October 10, 2020
Research supported by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) has successfully pinpointed fragments of coronavirus’ ribonucleic acid (RNA) in local waste water samples across the country. Scientists at the Scottish...
October 10, 2020
A social scientist based at the James Hutton Institute is seeking the views of dairy farmers interested in running a ‘cow with calf’ production system in the UK. The system involves keeping calves with their mothers for the first...
October 10, 2020
In the last 75 years, the world has made great progress in the fight against poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. Agricultural productivity and food systems have come a long way, but still, too many people remain vulnerable. On World Food Day 2020...
October 10, 2020
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our October 2020 issue:
October 10, 2020
Scientists from the UK’s foremost agricultural research organisations, including the James Hutton Institute, have teamed up to create a new UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank (UK-CMCB) to safeguard future research and facilitate the sustainable...
October 10, 2020
A bioinformatics platform developed at the James Hutton Institute which allows users to import, visualize, explore and share project data for plant genetic resources has been recognised by being named a global ‘Hub Pilot’ by the...
September 9, 2020
The James Hutton Institute and farming technology company Liberty Produce have been awarded UKRI funding to address the challenges of climate change and the food production yield-gap through an ambitious new project, which seeks to develop...
September 9, 2020
A pioneering analysis by James Hutton Institute social scientists explores the potential and value of applying a ‘natural capital’ approach to the land-based business of the Institute’s Glensaugh farm, where the aim is to...
September 9, 2020
Social scientists at the James Hutton Institute have developed a novel method to estimate future demographic change in Scotland’s sparsely populated areas, by considering geographical differences in employment structures and regional...
September 9, 2020
Crop diseases can generate destructive outbreaks that have the potential to threaten global food security, which is why it is fundamental to have reliable data promptly available from disease surveillance programs and outbreak investigations. In...
September 9, 2020
Mountains cover 22% of the world's land surface and are home to about 915 million people. In Europe, mountain ranges cover 36% of the European area and play an essential role in the provision of public and private goods. Despite their...
September 9, 2020
A new diagnostic technique has been developed by Scottish scientists to help in the early detection of sheep scab, marking a significant development towards improved monitoring and control of the parasite. This was made possible through an...
September 9, 2020
As part of wide-ranging efforts to provide Scotland’s land managers, agencies and the public with open access resources, the James Hutton Institute has progressively been digitising the published one inch to the mile (1:63,360) and 1:50,000...
September 9, 2020
Scotland’s plants underpin the health of the nation, but plant pests and diseases can cause major economic, environmental, and social costs. Increased global movements of plants and soil, coupled with the effects of climate change, are...
September 9, 2020
International Barley Hub scientists at the James Hutton Institute, working with colleagues in the UK and Australia, have gained further insight into key genes responsible for grain composition, a process facilitated by using CRISPR gene editing...
September 9, 2020
Despite encouraging progress in several areas, the health of the natural world is suffering badly and getting worse. Eight transformative changes are, therefore, urgently needed to ensure human wellbeing and save the planet, the UN warns in a...
September 9, 2020
A straightened burn in Deeside will be restored to a meandering stream channel this month, in a bid to enrich habitats for wildlife and improve the natural environment.
September 9, 2020
A new review paper by Hutton PhD student Camilla Negri, working alongside colleagues in Italy and China, shows that food waste has significant potential to replace crops in the production of energy and fertilisers through anaerobic digestion....
August 8, 2020
Are you involved in growing, processing or selling pulse-based products? A newly launched Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS) group is set to explore the potential of pulse supply chains in Scotland and associated challenges and possibilities...
August 8, 2020
Dr Alice Hague, a social scientist based at the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department in Aberdeen, has been awarded a fellowship by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) to study climate...
August 8, 2020
Coinciding with their launch of World Sustainable Spirits Day today (Fri 28th August), Scottish distillery Arbikie has introduced a second addition to their climate-positive spirit range: Nàdar Vodka, crafted from the pea-based spirit...
August 8, 2020
A group of leading European academic research institutions including the James Hutton Institute have joined forces to launch the ADAPT (Accelerated Development of multiple-stress tolerAnt PoTato) project, which seeks to develop strategies to make...
August 8, 2020
A new raspberry with exceptional fruit quality and high productivity, plus resistance to deadly disease root rot, was introduced today at the start of industry event Fruit for the Future 2020. The new rasp, named Glen Mor, was bred by James...
August 8, 2020
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and partner institutions are developing a suite of digital resources to help farmers harness the potential of crop mixtures to improve the sustainability of their production systems.
August 8, 2020
The latest UK climate projections show a trend towards drier and warmer summers, with the west of Scotland set to become wetter and the east drier, plus more frequent instances of heavy rainfall. New research by the James Hutton Institute shows...
August 8, 2020
The James Hutton Institute is pleased to support the National Biofilms Innovation Centre's #BiofilmAware campaign, which aims to raise awareness of biofilms and their importance for our everyday lives.
August 8, 2020
The Irish dairy sector has undergone a period of growth since milk quotas were removed in 2015. However, while dairy farmers have favourable views about expansion and grass-based systems, some farmers felt that volatile milk prices and increasing...
August 8, 2020
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute and partner organisations are working to understand the interactions between pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum and an array of soil-microbe-crop interactions in the development of blackleg,...
August 8, 2020
Tree planting and woodland expansion are often touted as desirable ways to soak up atmospheric carbon and help stem climate change. They are a frequent feature of climate change mitigation policies, but these policies often assume that all new...
August 8, 2020
The James Hutton Institute's bioinformatics group within the Department of Information and Computational Sciences has unveiled a new version of Germinate, the Institute's open-source, fully featured plant database infrastructure and...
August 8, 2020
The programme for Fruit for the Future 2020, the James Hutton Institute’s long-running soft fruit themed industry event, has been announced. Usually a well-attended physical gathering, this year FFF is going virtual with a week’s...
August 8, 2020
British and Indian experts are joining forces to investigate the impact that releasing antibiotics from antibiotic manufacturing into India’s waterways has on the spread of potentially fatal drug-resistant infections. An estimated 58,000...
August 8, 2020
The James Hutton Institute is taking part in a project led by the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA), the UK’s only membership body owning Scottish organic standards, which will examine a new product that could help Scottish...
July 7, 2020
Capturing carbon in soil is a frequent feature of climate change mitigation measures, but the variability in soils and greenhouse gas emissions makes it difficult to evaluate results. A new £1 million research project led by James Hutton...
July 7, 2020
New research by an international research team including ecologists at the James Hutton Institute has produced the most comprehensive long-term image of the state of biodiversity across Europe, showing -among a number of findings –...
July 7, 2020
This week, UK blackcurrant farmers are harvesting a groundbreaking new crop of berries that have been bred to cope with Britain’s changing climate. Named ‘Ben Lawers’, the new variety is the fruit of a longstanding partnership...
July 7, 2020
Planting huge numbers of trees to mitigate climate change is “not always the best strategy” – with some experimental sites in Scotland failing to increase carbon stocks, a new study co-authored by Hutton scientists has found....
July 7, 2020
The 2020 edition of Arable Scotland – Scotland’s newest field event focussing on arable crops - took place online on 2nd July and was very well received: hundreds of e-delegates visited the event’s Virtual Field Map on the day,...
July 7, 2020
In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Fruit for the Future – the James Hutton Institute’s long-running soft fruit themed event – is going virtual for 2020, with updates about new research and varieties delivered...
July 7, 2020
The James Hutton Institute is committed to the highest standards of research practice and scientific publishing, and upholds all commitments made under the Universities UK concordat to support research integrity.
June 6, 2020
Potato is one of the world’s most important food crops, but the vulnerability of yield levels to plant stresses limit the crop’s uptake in some parts of the world, particularly in areas impacted by climate change. This reduces potato...
June 6, 2020
Natural extracts from brown seaweeds native to the UK have been shown to have antiviral properties that could help stop the spread of viral diseases. Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and AIM-listed partners Byotrol plc have been awarded...
June 6, 2020
Agricultural scientists of the James Hutton Institute have been awarded £220,000 by Horizon 2020, the European Union’s research and innovation programme, to find ways to promote the adoption of integrated pest management strategies...
June 6, 2020
Arable Scotland 2020, Scotland's newest field event focussing on arable crops, is taking place online on 2nd July 10:00 am and will major on alternative crops and new markets. Registration for the free event is open at www.arablescotland.org....
June 6, 2020
Research funded by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) is examining the potential of wastewater testing to help monitor the spread of coronavirus in Scotland.
June 6, 2020
Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of Scotland's Hydro Nation International Centre at the James Hutton Institute, has appeared in OOSKAnews' latest aquaNOW Audience to discuss how HNIC is aiming to bring together a critical mass of the...
June 6, 2020
Introduction Chalara dieback of ash is a disease of ash trees caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback, usually leading to tree death. First found in the UK February 2012, local spread is by wind and...
June 6, 2020
It is the year 2050. How has society reacted and adapted to climate change? A farming family have recorded three sets of video diaries. Dad (Jack), mum (Beth) and daughter (Sally). Each set of diaries decsribes life in different futures...
June 6, 2020
A research paper co-authored by Moredun Research Institute and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) scientists has been named as joint winner of the 2019 3Rs prize, a prestigious award which recognises work that has had a major impact...
June 6, 2020
The programme for Arable Scotland 2020, Scotland's newest field event focussing on arable crops, has been announced. This year's event is taking place online and will major on alternative crops and new markets.
June 6, 2020
Biodiversity —the variety of species, the genes within them, and the habitats in which they live— is threatened like never before. According to figures from the United Nations Environment Programme, we are on the verge of mass...
June 6, 2020
Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) has invested over half a million pounds in a five-year project with the James Hutton Institute to develop new varieties of climate-resilient blackcurrant. LRS, which uses 90 per cent of the blackcurrants grown in...
June 6, 2020
Different groups of soil fungi control the interactions between seedlings and established trees and can play a key role in the development or restoration of forests, new research by James Hutton Institute scientists has found.
May 5, 2020
A social scientist of the James Hutton Institute has been appointed to the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Renewal Advisory Group, a collective which has been tasked with identifying opportunities to embed sustainability in Scotland...
May 5, 2020
Hyperspectral imaging, a growing area in remote sensing, holds the promise of providing a solution for crop monitoring over large areas, and scientists at the James Hutton Institute are working with partners in industry and academia to...
May 5, 2020
How have our eating, cooking and food purchasing habits changed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant lockdown measures in the UK, Europe and much of the world? Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are part of an EU consortium...
May 5, 2020
International Barley Hub scientists at the James Hutton Institute, working with colleagues in the UK, Australia and China, have identified a natural variation in a gene that influences sodium content in barley crops, a finding which may help...
May 5, 2020
The diverse and multi-faceted impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on UK and global food nutrition security are at the centre of a multi-disciplinary research initiative led by the James Hutton Institute and funded with a £341,000...
May 5, 2020
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our May 2020 issue:
May 5, 2020
An international group of scientists who specialise in various kinds of computer modelling is calling on colleagues across the world to maintain open access to knowledge, expertise, tools and technology during the global fight against COVID-19,...
April 4, 2020
The UK has seen an unprecedented upsurge in gardening during the current lockdown, and as the nation finds itself restricted in time spent outside of their homes, it is only natural to try and make the best of the green areas which we can access...
April 4, 2020
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group are exploring ways in which the use of interactive maps can help understand communities and small areas well below the national level.
April 4, 2020
Overview Barley and Me is a fun, interactive and educational game to see if you've got what it takes to run and manage a farm growing barley. The game runs on any Android device and is available here. You are responsible for choosing how...
April 4, 2020
Scotland's Environment Secretary has praised Scottish scientific institutions which normally focus on infectious diseases in livestock, environmental security and nutrition for offering support to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19). The Scottish...
April 4, 2020
Plant viruses can be just as devastating for agricultural crops and the security of food supply as some of the world's most notorious viruses, SARS-CoV-2 among them, have been for the human population.  Plant viruses can be useful as...
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...
April 4, 2020
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the James Hutton Institute and Davidsons Animal Feeds aiming to explore seaweed-based feeds, with associated benefits in terms of meat quality and a reduced carbon footprint, has been shortlisted for...
April 4, 2020
James Hutton Institute employees have been helping efforts to provide frontline staff in Tayside and North East Scotland with much-needed personal protection equipment (PPE) during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Institute has previously...
April 4, 2020
Over the past 25 years wading bird numbers have fallen dramatically in Scotland, with some species numbers being halved over this time period. Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are aiming to combat this decline by identifying locations...
April 4, 2020
MycoNourish, an ambitious new biotechnology company and spin-out of the James Hutton Institute, announced today the completion of a £150K funding round led by Techstart Ventures. The funding, combined with a recent £125K Higgs Award...
April 4, 2020
“Society's priorities must be human health and the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we also need to be thinking ahead to the resumption of conservation practice and education. There is an opportunity here to remind people of...
April 4, 2020
The award-winning film Thank You For The Rain was the focus of the James Hutton Institute’s first ever collective 'online' film screening on the 6th of April, highlighting a range of issues including climate justice, urbanisation...
March 3, 2020
In line with the latest COVID-19 guidance from the UK and Scottish governments, most of James Hutton Institute staff members are working remotely. Nevertheless, rest assured we're still available – the big challenges of our time,...
March 3, 2020
Potato is a key food and cash crop contributing both to food security and the local economy in Kenya, Malawi and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. However, crops in the region are frequently affected by low yields and plant pest and diseases, with...
March 3, 2020
To mark World Water Day, the James Hutton Institute has taken part in an aquaNOW Audience on the topic of 'Water and the Climate Crisis'. aquaNOW Audiences are interactive panel discussions, produced by OOSKAnews, engaging international...
March 3, 2020
“Soil is life. We breathe the air, we drink the water and we eat the crops, we live on the soil. Soil stores twice as much carbon globally as the vegetation above ground and is a universe of microbial life working with plants to balance the...
March 3, 2020
Countries around the world must induce ‘social tipping’ dynamics by introducing far-reaching social and technological changes if they are to successfully decarbonise and prevent the devastating consequences of climate change, an...
March 3, 2020
An international research team featuring scientists from the James Hutton Institute is exploring the potential of biochar - a carbon-rich type of charcoal - to address air pollution, climate change, food security and farmers’ incomes in...
March 3, 2020
An international consortium including the James Hutton Institute which tracks the European spatial distribution of Phytophthora infestans, the plant pathogen responsible for potato late blight, has updated the distribution of the pathogen by...
March 3, 2020
The definition of ‘sustainable development’ and ‘community’, as described in the draft Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development (Eligible Land, Specified Types of Area and Restrictions on Transfers,...
March 3, 2020
Professor Lesley Torrance, Director of Science at the James Hutton Institute, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), a body which contributes to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Scotland through the...
February 2, 2020
An international effort to develop maize crops that don’t need fertiliser has taken Hutton scientist Euan James to the deepest reaches of the Amazon River, on a quest for samples of root nodules from legume trees to help understand how...
February 2, 2020
By Professor Fiona Burnett, Co-chair, Arable Scotland
February 2, 2020
Dr Isabelle Colas, a scientist of the International Barley Hub, has been awarded a New Investigator grant worth £400k by UK Research and Innovation to explore a genetic pathway to improved barley crops, with the ultimate aim of helping...
February 2, 2020
An initiative supported by the James Hutton Institute has set its sights on developing methods for measuring soil carbon with a cost-effective commercial tool to help UK farmers tap into the carbon credits market. Agricarbon, led by Invergowrie...
February 2, 2020
The world’s first “climate-positive” gin has been created by UK scientists — using the humble garden pea. Five years of research at Abertay University and the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, in collaboration with...
February 2, 2020
A new report by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), highlights the profound and long-lasting impacts of flooding on individuals, businesses and communities in Scotland.
February 2, 2020
World Pulses Day (10th February) is a designated United Nations global event to recognise the importance of pulses (chickpeas, dry beans, lentils, dry peas and lupins among others) as a global food. Together with partners across Europe and the...
February 2, 2020
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our February 2020 issue:
February 2, 2020
Adopting a systems perspective is essential to help agriculture contribute to Europe’s own policy objectives and also international targets such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. That was one of the key messages of a presentation...
January 1, 2020
The UK Committee on Climate Change’s new report's recognition of agroforestry and peatland restoration as key actions to help deliver the major shift in land use needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 has been...
January 1, 2020
A new report co-authored by a James Hutton Institute scientist and published in Nature Sustainability examines the potential impacts on food production of zero-budget natural farming, a farming system that is sweeping India. Zero-budget...
January 1, 2020
Dr Tony Craig has been appointed head of the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) department, having previously been in the role on an interim basis jointly with Dr Alice Hague. Dr Craig will take the role on a permanent basis at the...
January 1, 2020
Professor Rob Brooker has been appointed to the leadership of the Ecological Sciences department at the James Hutton Institute, following the departure of Dr Helaina Black, who has become an Honorary Associate of the Institute. The group...
January 1, 2020
2020 is the International Year of Plant Health and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, bringing public attention to two huge global challenges and for good reason, say scientists at the James Hutton Institute.
December 12, 2019
The Institute will hold a Consultation Day on Saturday 11th January 2020 to allow local residents and interested parties to examine plans for the International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre developments at the Institute in...
December 12, 2019
With countries struggling to press forward after the recent COP25 summit in Madrid, and ever-increasing awareness of the impact that the climate emergency is having on our planet, consumers can do their bit by making changes to their daily habits...
December 12, 2019
The experiences of three Hutton members of staff who have chosen Scotland as a place to live and work have been highlighted by their designation as Talent Ambassadors by TalentScotland, part of Scottish Enterprise, the country’s economic...
December 12, 2019
Professor Alison Hester, a senior research scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences group in Aberdeen, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) in recognition of...
December 12, 2019
Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer, managers of Lynbreck Croft, have picked up the Nature of Scotland 2019 Food and Farming Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for their success in establishing a 150-acre mixed habitat croft enterprise...
December 12, 2019
‘Erosion’ is partly a natural process where soil particles are transported by our rivers and streams to the sea. ‘Accelerated erosion’ however, is caused by inappropriate land use or land management and this is a global...
December 12, 2019
Our soils are under threat from ever more intensive agriculture and climate changes. Extreme rainfall events such as Storm Frank in 2016 are predicted to become more common: a recent report from the Met Office suggested that there is a 34% chance...
December 12, 2019
A report commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and ClimateXChange, Scotland’s centre of expertise connecting climate change research and policy, explores potential changes to snow cover caused by climate change on...
November 11, 2019
James Hutton soft fruit breeder Dr Dorota Jarret has been appointed chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science’s (ISHS) Rubus and Ribes Species and Management working group - the first female scientist, and the...
November 11, 2019
Two researchers based at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee have been named as Highly Cited Researchers in the Highly Cited Researchers 2019 list published by the Web of Science Group.
November 11, 2019
The James Hutton Institute, as part of the EU-funded NEWBIE project (New Entrant netWork: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in European agriculture), is again calling for applications for the 2019 NEWBIE Award, which...
November 11, 2019
Research by agricultural scientists in Scotland and beyond has shown that intercropping, i.e. growing two or more crop species together in ‘plant teams’, can improve agricultural sustainability by stabilising or increasing crop yields...
November 11, 2019
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute recently visited China on a fact-finding mission to see how the Institute might collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) to improve soybean cropping in China through better...
November 11, 2019
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) and the James Hutton Institute to promote cooperation in research on plant crop and soil science, agriculture,...
November 11, 2019
A report published by the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population says that immigration schemes can be an ‘immediate and direct’ way to tackle depopulation in Scotland and warns of a fall in Scotland’s working-age...
November 11, 2019
Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters and honorary chair at the University of Dundee's Social Sciences School, and Professor Marian Scott, Professor of Environmental Statistics at the University of...
October 10, 2019
A new report commissioned by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) estimates that the restoration of native oyster beds in Scotland has the potential to give a £3.5m boost to the UK economy and create jobs in some of the most...
October 10, 2019
The James Hutton Institute was delighted to welcome Her Excellency Ms Linda Scott, High Commissioner of Namibia to the UK. The visit to the Hutton Dundee site, set up through James Hutton Limited’s membership of the Scottish Africa Business...
October 10, 2019
An innovative research project aims to demonstrate the benefits of using crop species mixtures as a sustainable crop production system. The Sustainability in Education and Agriculture using Mixtures (SEAMS) initiative is providing a platform for...
October 10, 2019
A new partnership between the James Hutton Institute and SRUC will put practical skills into the hands of future farmers. Students studying agriculture at national certificate and degree level at SRUC’s Aberdeen campus will now complete...
October 10, 2019
Could Farm Business Incubators provide a route into the industry for new entrants in Scotland? This question is set to be the focus of a special NEWBIE business seminar at AgriScot on 20th November. The NEWBIE project is a pan European...
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
Agri-tech centre Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) and farming technology company Liberty Produce have launched the Innovation Hub for Controlled Environment Agriculture (IHCEA) at the James Hutton Institute’s site in Invergowrie near...
October 10, 2019
Scientists based at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen have developed a brand-new, web-based portal to improve access to spatial data on Scotland’s natural assets, including soils, land, biodiversity and cultural heritage. The new...
October 10, 2019
Hear the latest practical innovative and sustainable research for arable and mixed farms funded by the Scottish Government, and discuss ideas on how we can support the environment alongside sustainable food production. The meeting will feature...
October 10, 2019
A new study published today in PLOS Pathogens by scientists at the Moredun Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland and international partners, has shown that a specific toxin produced by naturally-...
October 10, 2019
The 42nd TB Macaulay Lecture, given by Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of New College, Oxford, on the topic of how to achieve a green and prosperous land in the face of multiple challenges including...
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...
October 10, 2019
Policy translation from the international down to the local scales can be rather like a game of Chinese whispers: what you end up with is often not what was intended. Part of the problem is that the best laid plans become ruthlessly exposed to...
September 9, 2019
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our September 2019 issue:
September 9, 2019
A new research project involving the James Hutton Institute is aiming to improve the capacity of society and political bodies to respond to the challenges that digitalisation generates in rural areas, agriculture and forestry, and provide a...
September 9, 2019
DESIRA (Digitisation: Economic and Social Impacts on Rural Areas), a project funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme and led by the University of Pisa, brings together 25 organisations from across Europe, including the James...
September 9, 2019
A recent workshop co-organised by the Earlham Institute and the Catholic University of Santa María gathered plant scientists from Peru and the UK to discuss the application of 'omic' technologies for the research of crop...
September 9, 2019
Join us for another special crofting meeting of our Plant Teams field lab, looking at growing multiple crops together for better outcomes.
September 9, 2019
Soils delay runoff, store and redistribute water and provide a supply of moisture for plant growth. These soil functions are fundamental for the understanding of how pollutants travel from land to waters and to evaluate ecosystem services. Dr...
September 9, 2019
A new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) involving the James Hutton Institute and Davidsons Animal Feeds is exploring the possibilities of protein-rich UK seaweeds to replace some currently used ingredients in the production of ruminant animal...
September 9, 2019
A joint statement issued by research institutes, community groups and public sector organisations points to credible evidence of ‘green shoots’ of population turnaround in the Scottish islands which as yet does not show up in official...
September 9, 2019
Professor Maria Nijnik, a senior scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group, has been distinguished with a Scientific Achievement Award by the International Union of Forest Research...
September 9, 2019
The James Hutton Institute has hosted the first of a new series of aquaNOW Audiences on the topic of 'The Philosophy of a Hydro Nation'. aquaNOW Audiences are interactive panel discussions, produced by OOSKAnews, engaging international...
September 9, 2019
The James Hutton Institute is reinforcing its extensive analytical capabilities for research and commercial work through a collaboration with global science and healthcare technology company PerkinElmer, to establish a QSight 420 liquid...
September 9, 2019
The workshop aims to demonstrate the innovations and cutting edge research for reducing water and nutrient stress in crops across Europe, namely in wheat, potato and tomato production. It also aims to facilitate discussion with those in the...
September 9, 2019
After 40 years of reform and ‘opening up,’ China has made remarkable economic progress. However, prosperity has been coupled with environmental degradation and the country has a considerable way to go toward achieving the Sustainable...
August 8, 2019
A ground-breaking research trial conducted by the James Hutton Institute and Kings Crops, a division of Frontier Agriculture, into the impact of green cover crops in Scotland has demonstrated notable benefits for spring barley yields, soil and...
August 8, 2019
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute will meet with European colleagues to discuss all scientific aspects of diversifying agricultural and food systems, on the practical implementation of crop diversification in value chains and on policy-...
August 8, 2019
Each year the Macaulay Development Trust, in partnership with the James Hutton Institute, hosts a world-renowned guest speaker for its annual TB Macaulay Lecture. This year we are delighted to welcome Professor Dieter Helm, Professor of Economics...
August 8, 2019
A James Hutton Institute-led and Scottish Government-funded project to develop a novel decentralised wastewater treatment system in rural India that can be replicated in Scotland and beyond has been shortlisted for a VIBES – Scottish...
August 8, 2019
Euan Caldwell, the James Hutton Institute’s Head of Farm, Field and Glasshouses, has been shortlisted in the Arable Innovator of the Year category of the British Farming Awards, organised by AgriBriefing. The winners will be revealed at a...
August 8, 2019
Maize is the most important cereal crop in southern Africa but without new management practices and with the increased risk of drought, yields which are already low are predicted to further decline. It is therefore critical that new approaches...
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...
August 8, 2019
As the potato industry faces up to the loss of major chemicals, diquat for definite with CIPC likely to follow, this year’s Potatoes in Practice will focus on what growers will be using in the future. Potatoes in Practice is the largest...
July 7, 2019
The Orskov Foundation, created to support students from developing countries to further their education in subjects related to agriculture, land use or the environment, has announced its grant awards for 2019. They include support for four...
July 7, 2019
Food security and livelihoods for a majority of Ethiopians depends on smallholder farming, and barley is an important crop grown by over 4 million smallholder farmers for multiple uses as food, feed and as a cash crop for an emerging malting and...
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
Ground-breaking research into the soil beneath our feet, just published in the journal Nature, transforms current understanding of life on land by revealing that the world’s largest animal populations are found in high-latitude sub-arctic...
July 7, 2019
Potatoes have been a staple of Britain’s diet for half a millennium, but new research suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to the disease that caused the Irish potato...
July 7, 2019
It’s the season for a cold afternoon ‘gin & tonic’ on ice. The health impact of one too many is questionable, but what is the environmental footprint of that classically delicious aperitif? An international team 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...
July 7, 2019
Projected global population growth requires food production to increase by 70% before 2050 to meet demand. Pests and diseases are a major constraint to providing this food security: between 30-40% of our crops are lost to pathogens long before...
July 7, 2019
Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of New College, Oxford, has been announced as the speaker of the 42nd T.B. Macaulay Lecture, presented in partnership by the James Hutton Institute and the Macaulay...
July 7, 2019
The James Hutton Institute has contributed to a body of evidence compiled by the Scottish Industrial Biotechnology Development Group to demonstrate Scotland’s global competitiveness in biorefining and attracting inward investment.
July 7, 2019
The role of grazing in dairy farming the UK has become increasingly contentious; dairy farming in the UK has changed from seasonal housing and grazing to around a fifth of farmers housing cows all year around. This change continues to be...
July 7, 2019
An independent report focussing on Scotland’s progress against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has found that, despite some advances, the country is not on target to achieve a number of the goals and further action is...
June 6, 2019

Pollen Count – Dundee (Research Page)

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the monitoring of pollen and air quality has never been more important for the “at risk” portion of the UK population. This public service information page will be updated weekly in Spring and...
June 6, 2019
Richard Gospel, of Hassiewells Farm near Rothienorman, has been announced as the winner of Best Soil in Show at the Royal Highland Show 2019, with Alistair Brunton, of Balmonth Farm by Carnbee in Fife, scooping the Young Farmers prize for a...
June 6, 2019
The James Hutton Institute celebrated its Tay Cities Deal success at this year's Royal Highland Show alongside industry guests and stakeholders, with the support of the Rt Hon David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland. The...
June 6, 2019
Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, has congratulated the Scottish-based vertical farm technology business Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd (IGS) on attracting £5.4m Series A funding, led by US-based S2G...
June 6, 2019
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our June 2019 issue:
June 6, 2019
The seeds have been sown for the creation of a world-leading potato hub in Scotland, designed to give those working in the £200 million-plus industry instant access to expert advice. The country’s three main knowledge, consultancy...
June 6, 2019
The SEFARI student showcase, an event which shows the diversity and excellence of postgraduate research undertaken across all SEFARI research institutes, took place between the 10th and 11th June, with James Hutton Institute student Auré...
June 6, 2019
The UK’s peatlands are making a significant contribution to our greenhouse gas emissions because of the way they are managed, a major new study has shown. Peatlands occupy 12% of the UK’s land area and store vast quantities of...
June 6, 2019
Oats are an important crop in the UK – even more so due to their increasing popularity as a healthy breakfast choice. Yet unlike other staple cereal crops, such as wheat and barley, R&D investment to improve oat agronomy has been...
June 6, 2019
The James Hutton Institute welcomed over 1300 visitors to its Dundee site during Open Farm Sunday in Invergowrie, the celebration of farming and nature that gives everyone the opportunity to discover the story behind their food. Managed by...
June 6, 2019
A large outdoors model of Scotland, showing where our vegetables are typically grown, will be unveiled at the James Hutton Institute's Living Field in Invergowrie on Open Farm Sunday 2019, 9 June, 11 am to 4 pm. The map was created by...
June 6, 2019
Ambitious plans for the establishment of two open science campuses at the James Hutton Institute’s sites in Dundee and Aberdeen were outlined by the Institute’s Chief Executive, Professor Colin Campbell, at the Scottish Society for...
June 6, 2019
Did you know 92 per cent of people worldwide do not breathe clean air, and that air pollution costs the global economy US$5 trillion every year in welfare costs? Also, are you familiar with the impact of ground-level ozone pollution on staple...
June 6, 2019
Dr Jenni Stockan, a research scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences group, has been distinguished by the Royal Entomological Society as the first woman to take the role of Honorary Secretary in the society’s...
May 5, 2019
Ways to achieve the ambitious greenhouse emission targets, as described in the proposed Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, were at the centre of discussions during a session of the Environment, Climate Change and Land...
May 5, 2019
The Scottish islands are often regarded as places where population is in decline, with younger islanders leaving for education and employment and older people moving in to retire. However, recent anecdotal evidence suggests that, on some islands...
May 5, 2019
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute have provided evidence for an investigation conducted by the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee into the quality and reliability of forensic science within the UK legal system, as part...
May 5, 2019
Hutton board member George Lawrie is embarking on a tractor tour across Scotland to mark a major milestone for The Royal Highland Education Trust: 20 years 'taking the classroom to the countryside' and raising the awareness of children...
May 5, 2019
An online, user-friendly plant health information resource will be launched at Scotland's first-ever Plant Health Conference, which is set to gather representatives from industry, public bodies, government and scientists, all around the...
May 5, 2019
Two research projects conducted by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) have been awarded prizes in recognition of excellence and innovation in water research. The project “Surface water flood forecasting for urban...
May 5, 2019
Green-fingered families could all become plant scientists for the day this weekend as the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee host a celebration of the power of plants. Every breath we take and every meal we eat owes a debt to...
May 5, 2019
Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensics at the James Hutton Institute and SEFARI Advisor on the Scottish Government‘s Strategic Research Programme 2016-2021, has been recognised with an Expert Witness Award 2019 by specialist...
May 5, 2019
Annual General Meeting Saturday 29th June, Arlington, East Sussex Dear ELC supporter, You are warmly invited to attend this year’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday 29th June 2019 from 2.00 – 4.30pm. The meeting will be held in...
May 5, 2019
Research by a social scientist based within the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) has been featured in a book recently published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency...
May 5, 2019
Drs Tony Craig and Alice Hague have been appointed to the leadership of the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) group on an interim basis and will job-share in the role. SEGS’ 40 staff work...
May 5, 2019
Capacities for completely replacing animal protein in the human diet are limited and would require “major changes” in the structure of global agricultural food systems, according to new research. A study carried out by Scottish...
May 5, 2019
Three industry organisations have joined forces to launch a brand new field-based arable event for Scotland: Arable Scotland, which is jointly organised by AHDB, the James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will take...
May 5, 2019
Temperature has a pronounced effect on the formation of potato tubers: when temperature is too high, potato plants form less or no tubers, which can greatly decrease yields. Scientists at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen Nuremberg (...
May 5, 2019
Join Soil Association Scotland, SRUC and us on the Isle of Lismore for a special crofting meeting of our Plant Teams field lab, looking at growing multiple crops together for better outcomes, also called intercropping.
May 5, 2019
The James Hutton Institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing the careers of women in science and technology has been recognised through the award of Athena SWAN Bronze status to November 2022, as communicated by an external award review...
May 5, 2019
Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark new report from the Intergovernmental...
May 5, 2019
The James Hutton Institute is teaming up with Soil Association Scotland and Scotland's Rural College for a special crofting meeting of the Plant Teams Field Lab event series on the Isle of Lismore, looking at how intercropping can help...
April 4, 2019
  Case Studies in the UK TEXT     Key contacts Lee-Ann Sutherland    Adam Calo Follow @newbieuk
April 4, 2019
Come and spend a fun family day at Mylnefield Farm! The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2019 on 9 June.
April 4, 2019
​Scientists from the James Hutton Institute will shortly take part in the world’s largest festival of public science talks, a Pint of Science. The three-day festival begins on 20 May and aims to encourage everyone to head down to a pub to...
April 4, 2019
European citizen renewable energy projects are more diverse now than at any time in the past 50 years, and they are likely to act as incubators for social innovation in all aspects of energy. However, efforts must be made to ensure the...
April 4, 2019
Public authorities are enabling citizens to be better stewards of the environment through greater access to environmental information, but there is a need to improve online information to meet people’s needs.
April 4, 2019
Lynbreck Croft, a 150-acre mixed habitat croft enterprise located in the Cairngorms National Park, has been declared the winner of the NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant Farm Business of the Year and will be presented with their award at the Royal...
April 4, 2019
April 4, 2019
NEWBIE Events At Newbie UK, we're working to be abreast of the ongoing work of farmers, advisory services, and governments to support and research new entrant farming. Any questions about events you see? Send an email to Adam Calo.
April 4, 2019
In NEWBIE, “new entrants” are defined as anyone who starts a new farm business or becomes involved in an existing farm business. They comprise a wide range of ages, agricultural experience and resource access. Newcomers and successors...
April 4, 2019
Oak trees have long had a reputation for supporting a range of biodiversity, however, research published today has uncovered just how many species depend on British oak to survive. The decline of these iconic trees, currently threatened by pests...
April 4, 2019
In urbanised European societies, the role of forests in providing commodities, welfare, health and other social benefits is easily forgotten. But not in Aberdeen: the Granite City has been awarded the title of European Forest City for 2019 by the...
April 4, 2019
A detailed study of the impact of fish farm medicines on Scotland’s seabed, produced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) - formally part of the James Hutton Group - has...
April 4, 2019
Many businesses are trying to distinguish themselves from their competitors, attract new clients and win new markets. Getting recognition for good environmental practices through VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards could be the...
April 4, 2019
Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, today visited the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie to hear about world leading research in land, crop, waters and the...
March 3, 2019
The complex landscape of plants and microbe interaction means that food safety specialists should consider fine detail and cannot generalise when carrying out risk assessments, new research by James Hutton Institute scientists has shown. Fresh...
March 3, 2019
Young filmmakers with a passion for nature are being sought for a new competition that aims to encourage businesses to see the benefits of the natural world. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Forum on Natural Capital (SFNC), of...
March 3, 2019
An eight-year-old campaigner, a social media whizz kid, a budding nature detective and several keen camera trappers have all been recognised as 2019 Young Wildlife Champions by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership, in a drive to...
March 3, 2019
As part of Scotland’s continued efforts to become the world’s first Hydro Nation – one that manages its water environment to the best advantage and uses its expertise at home and internationally - the James Hutton Institute has...
March 3, 2019
A course delivered by James Hutton Institute specialist staff with contributions by honorary associate Tony Fraser.
March 3, 2019
The James Hutton Institute has endorsed a statement sent to ministers and MPs calling on the UK to remain part of the EU’s cross-border funding programmes after Brexit. The campaign is supported by a wide range of public and private sector...
March 3, 2019
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the James Hutton Institute and Scottish-based agritech business Intelligent Growth Solutions Limited (IGS), has been distinguished with the highest grade of “Outstanding” by the Knowledge...
March 3, 2019
There has never been a more important time to talk with others about farming. Farmers and researchers need to share best practice, show techniques, explain production, reveal trade-offs faced and demonstrate where farming creates and sustains...
March 3, 2019
Interested in sustainable agriculture in Scotland? Come to this workshop to learn about the practical improvements that long-term research has provided for Scottish agriculture. This meeting will feature discussions on:
March 3, 2019
Our annual Postgraduate Student Event, which showcases the excellent science being undertaken by postgraduate students at the James Hutton Institute, took place at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Birnam on Wednesday 6th March and Thursday...
March 3, 2019
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and partner organisations are working to understand the mechanisms behind senescent sweetening, a problem responsible for considerable losses of potato crops during storage, particularly in the processing...
March 3, 2019
Recognising excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation, the eighth annual Nature of Scotland Awards are open for applications until 4 June, with the James Hutton Institute again sponsoring the Food and Farming...
March 3, 2019
Allocation of land rights and struggles for access to land and natural resources are common worldwide. The rise of land reform on the political agenda following Scottish devolution in 1999 is commonly attributed to the relatively unregulated...
March 3, 2019
Professor Lorna Dawson, head of Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and advisor to the SEFARI Strategic Research Programme, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE),...
March 3, 2019
A report published by the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population has shown that post-Brexit migration policy proposals put forward by the UK Government are likely to increase the demographic challenges faced by Scotland’s...
February 2, 2019
Britain’s iconic oak trees have a reputation for supporting biodiversity, but a changing climate is making them increasingly susceptible to threats from pests and diseases. A research collaboration featuring James Hutton Institute...
February 2, 2019
While Brexit can be viewed as a very real threat to the future of Scottish agriculture, it must also now be viewed as an opportunity, albeit not an easy one to grasp. That was one of the main messages of the Soft Fruit Winter Meeting of the...
February 2, 2019
We are pleased to invite you to a free screening of the ‘Queen of the Sun – What are the Bees telling us?’ which is an alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel. Doors open 6.30pm, film begins 7pm.
February 2, 2019
The Horned Beef Company, Lynbreck Croft and the Scottish Goat Meat Company have been announced as finalists of the newly-launched NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant Farm Business of the Year, due to their unique ability to overcome barriers in the...
February 2, 2019
Professor Alison Hester, a senior research scientist within our Ecological Sciences group, has contributed to the development of new guidance by the Natural Capital Finance Alliance (NCFA), aimed at helping financial institutions conduct rapid...
February 2, 2019
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our February 2019 issue:
February 2, 2019
The James Hutton Institute and the Malaysia-based Crops for the Future Research Centre (CFFRC) have agreed to cooperate on aspects of global agricultural sustainability, food security and nutrition, with emphasis on underutilised and novel crops...
February 2, 2019
Imagine a crop that can be used to help secure sufficient food for a growing global population, benefit the environment and brew fantastic beer. There is one – several in fact: pulses. The James Hutton Institute has joined forces with...
February 2, 2019
CLICK BELOW FOR APPLICATION FORM AND RELATED DOCUMENTATION - DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 10TH MAY 2019 Supported by the Glenside Group
January 1, 2019
Creating Natural Connections, a partnership including the James Hutton Institute which seeks to deliver significant improvements to Cumbernauld’s environment over the next four years by building on the success of Cumbernauld Living...
January 1, 2019
Water specialists from the James Hutton Institute and Scottish Water are at the forefront of the Water Test Network, an international drive to unlock innovation potential in the global water industry, which also involves experts in Germany,...
January 1, 2019
Monitoring and evaluation are key elements in the adaptive management of our ecosystems, the process of learning from new experiences and insights to improve how we manage the environment. A research consortium led by the James Hutton Institute...
January 1, 2019
On Burns Night, let’s raise a dram to better barley: scientists based at the International Barley Hub in Dundee have developed a genotyping array that allows the detailed genetic characterisation of any individual barley variety. The array...
January 1, 2019
Researchers based at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen have contributed to a study which has found that pollutants cause ‘worrying’ changes in sheep livers.
January 1, 2019
Most of us need to get more fibre into our diets, we now hear, but we’re also told that it’s quite hard to do that. Happily, our scientists have been working on ways to help get past that difficulty, through several strands of...
January 1, 2019
Potato tuber skin and flesh colours are attractive traits for consumers and frequently influence purchase choices. In a new study, scientists of the James Hutton Institute have identified a genetic molecule that regulates the production of ...
December 12, 2018
  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...
December 12, 2018
Even if it has been dark for months, Rudolph always knows when it is Christmas Eve. In a new paper published in Scientific Reports, an international collaboration of scientists from the James Hutton Institute, the University of Veterinary...
December 12, 2018
Warmer winters may not provide sufficient chilling for blackcurrants in the UK, delaying the start of the growing season and resulting in reduced yields and lower fruit quality, researchers have found. Like many fruit crops and woody plants,...
December 12, 2018
The James Hutton Institute's commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, has entered into a five-year agreement with Technico Agri Sciences, a subsidiary of Indian company ITC Limited, for the provision of 16 potato varieties and 600...
December 12, 2018
NASA’s InSight lander has been headline news in recent weeks, as it continues to send back clear images of the rocky and unforgiving surface of Mars. However, the previous exploration robot sent to roam the red planet, the Curiosity rover,...
December 12, 2018
New gene combinations in barley could prove a budding success for breeders and brewers across the world, according to a new study by plant scientists of the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute. The study, published in New...
November 11, 2018
Primary school students will benefit from wastewater treatment and clean water at their school in India thanks to a joint project led by the James Hutton Institute and funded by the Scottish Government. While visiting India, Scotland's...
November 11, 2018
Social scientists of the James Hutton Institute and Scotland's Rural College are seeking people’s views about wellbeing, local issues and quality of life in Scottish communities, in a drive to improve currently-available data and inform...
November 11, 2018
There is no generally agreed upon, up-to-date system for fungal classification, with several different, partly incompatible classification systems used across many mycological resources. This confusion is partly due to the vast number of...
November 11, 2018
John Dalziel, of Common Farm in East Ayrshire, has picked up the Nature of Scotland 2018 Food and Farming Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for his efforts to integrate wildlife conservation into his successful farming ...
November 11, 2018
The James Hutton Institute has today welcomed the signing of the heads of terms of the Tay Cities Deal, which is expected to bring a £700 million investment into Tayside and Angus and create 6,000 direct jobs in the area. Included...
November 11, 2018
The James Hutton Institute has won a VIBES – Scottish Environment Business award in the Adaptation to Climate Change category, on account of the work of Hutton researchers in farm innovations to protect the environment, renewable energy...
November 11, 2018
Professor Lorna Dawson, lead soil forensic scientist at the James Hutton Institute, advisor to the Scottish Government on strategic research and SEFARI Gateway lead for the environment, has received her CBE honour from HRH Queen Elizabeth II...
November 11, 2018
Hutton Android app Buntata has been featured in the first issue of Global Potato News, a newly launched international business-to-business magazine serving the entire potato industry from farm to fork. Originally unveiled in 2017 and named...
November 11, 2018
A new report by James Hutton Institute scientists has found that climate change, along with variations in machinery and farming practices, is likely to increase the susceptibility of Scottish soils to erosion or damage by compaction. The...
November 11, 2018
A new research study aims to demonstrate how the combination of digital X-ray signatures with data-driven approaches can replace the time-consuming elements of expert led mineral identification and allow for new insights into the role of soil...
October 10, 2018
National Farmers Union presidents from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have agreed to judge a new award for 'New Entrant Farm Business of the Year'. Minette Batters (NFU), Andrew McCornick (NFUS), Glyn Roberts (FUW), John...
October 10, 2018
The James Hutton Institute's Information and Computational Sciences group have announced a web version of Buntata, the free mobile application launched last year to help potato growers identify plant pests and diseases in the field....
October 10, 2018
An improved technique for capturing DNA in crops may give plant breeders huge advantages when it comes to developing varieties that are more resilient to pests and diseases. The technique, known as diagnostic Resistance gene enrichment Sequencing...
October 10, 2018
For many people fungi are simply the edible mushrooms that appear on your dinner plate or the toadstool you pass by in your local park, however fungi are some of the planets most vital organisms. They provide powerful medicines including...
October 10, 2018
Introduction The riparian zone occupies the critical interface between land and watercourses where processes have great potential to influence stream and river biogeochemical and ecological conditions and is a key management location. Riparian...
October 10, 2018
Our actions are our future. That is the theme of this year’s World Food Day, which highlights the global goal of zero hunger by 2030. With over 820 million people suffering chronic undernourishment and with that number on the rise, the...
October 10, 2018
An innovation-focused award for ‘New Entrant Farm Business of the Year’ is opening this autumn to UK farmers, crofters and smallholders, as part of a suite of opportunities being offered across Europe to help new entrants develop...
October 10, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in...
October 10, 2018
The 41st T.B. Macaulay Lecture, given by Professor Jacqueline McGlade on the topic of natural prosperity and innovative solutions for a business-unusual approach to rapid global change, is now available to watch online. In the lecture,...
October 10, 2018
A University of Dundee scientist based at the James Hutton Institute has been awarded almost £1.25 million to study the interaction between plants and soil microbes, with the ultimate aim of boosting sustainable food production. Dr Davide...
October 10, 2018
Peatlands store large amounts of terrestrial carbon and any changes to their carbon balance could cause large changes in the greenhouse gas balance of the Earth's atmosphere. There is still much uncertainty about how the GHG dynamics of...
September 9, 2018
On 21st September 2018 at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) in Edinburgh, scientists working on crop science within the Scottish Government-funded Science Research Programme (WP2.1 – Crop and grassland production and...
September 9, 2018
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, the James Hutton Institute's quarterly review, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our September 2018 issue:
September 9, 2018
We have recently lived through three years in a row of the hottest temperatures recorded worldwide, a clear sign that our climate is changing, and changing fast. Is this enough to spur us into tackling climate change and other sustainable...
September 9, 2018
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) have completed a ten-month InnovateUK funded project resulting in the development of an improved genetic marker that can be used by barley breeders to...
September 9, 2018
  Join the staff at the James Hutton Institute as they bring to life the activities of the creatures great and small that make their home within the grounds of Craigiebuckler. A week of free events providing a window on the wildlife at the...
September 9, 2018
Hutton scientist Peter Orrell and his product MycoNourish have been announced as runners-up in the 2018 Converge Challenge, Scotland's leading higher education company creation programme, at a ceremony held yesterday in Edinburgh’s...
September 9, 2018
The transformational power of the first-ever dedicated design museum in Scotland and the only other V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London was beyond doubt, even before it opened. The James Hutton Institute would like to commend and...
September 9, 2018
Over 300 members of the conservation community will meet at the Nature of Scotland Awards 2018 ceremony to celebrate the people and projects that are going the extra mile to support Scottish nature conservation, with the James Hutton Institute...
September 9, 2018
The James Hutton Institute is teaming up with the Soil Association Scotland on a field lab, part of a Europe-wide project, to trial crop mixtures or ‘plant teams’. Researchers want to test the potential that inter-cropping peas and...
September 9, 2018
The James Hutton Institute is teaming with Soil Association Scotland and Scotland's Rural College to work with farmers in a Field Lab to trial crop mixtures or ‘plant teams’. Field Labs are free to attend and open to all land...
September 9, 2018
Work by James Hutton Institute water researchers has been reflected in the latest Scotland: The Hydro Nation Annual Report, which provides an outline of activities carried out by the Scottish Government and partners under the Hydro Nation agenda...
September 9, 2018
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China, and the James Hutton Institute, during the 2018 UK-China Potato Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Conference, held in Shandong...
September 9, 2018
MycoNourish, a product designed by Hutton scientist Peter Orrell, has been announced as finalist of the Converge Challenge 2018, Scotland's leading higher education company creation programme.
September 9, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have found that waters in Scottish rivers are reaching record-breaking warm temperatures, which may have implications for rural economies across the country. By comparing historical records kept by the...
September 9, 2018
The James Hutton Institute and its commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, have welcomed a deal which will allow the UK to export seed potato to China. The agreement, signed by International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox during a recent...
September 9, 2018
There has been public controversy in recent years about indoor dairy farming. Research has found that the public are concerned about environmental and welfare implications of a move away from pasture-based systems towards more year-round housing...
August 8, 2018
After a four-year trial which saw the first harvest of Scottish hops in recent decades, scientists from the James Hutton Institute have created a practical guide booklet for farmers interested in growing the crop, which highlights its commercial...
August 8, 2018
Scottish-based agritech business Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd has unveiled its first indoor vertical farming demonstration building at the James Hutton Institute near Dundee. The facility, formally opened by John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire...
August 8, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute are investigating the development of resilient flavour characteristics in UK raspberries, as part of Innovate UK-funded research into new fruit breeding models and decision support tools.
August 8, 2018
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute were named winners in a contest which is considered by some as the world championship in mineralogy. The results and the winners of the 2018 Reynolds Cup edition were presented at the Annual Clay...
August 8, 2018
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute have discovered the apparent benefits of workplace sharing with regards to reducing commuting times and CO2 emissions can be negated by corporate culture and organisational structure. Using an agent-...
August 8, 2018
Each year the Macaulay Development Trust, in partnership with the James Hutton Institute, hosts a world-renowned guest speaker for its annual TB Macaulay lecture. This year we have been lucky enough to secure Professor Jacqueline McGlade, former...
August 8, 2018
Research at the James Hutton Institute has led to the discovery of genetic variations which can help protect potato crop yields at high temperature, potentially providing potato breeders with a valuable tool in their quest to create varieties...
August 8, 2018
Agriculture is changing. There is an increasing gap between how food is produced and public knowledge and values about agriculture. Dairy farming in the UK has changed from seasonal housing and grazing to around a fifth of farmers housing cows...
July 7, 2018
Farmers and land managers can improve agricultural productivity by using crop mixtures and taking into consideration the role of evolution in shaping the plants they grow, new research by James Hutton Institute scientists and partners at ETH...
July 7, 2018
Potato blight, caused by the water mould Phytophthora infestans, is the major disease of potatoes worldwide and is thus a threat to food security. New research from the Birch lab in the University of Dundee's Division of Plant Sciences,...
July 7, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have alerted about the potential impact of extreme weather events - such as the current heatwave - on crop production, suggesting the development of stress-resistant crops as an important resource to...
July 7, 2018
The next generation of the potato industry will debate the future of the humble spud at this year’s Potatoes in Practice. Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK, held on Thursday 9th August at Balruddery...
July 7, 2018
The James Hutton Institute will showcase its new raspberry demonstration tunnels at Fruit for the Future, the Institute’s annual soft fruit-themed event, on Thursday 19 July 2018 in Invergowrie near Dundee. The new demonstration tunnels...
July 7, 2018
New farmers can face quite a number of barriers in developing sustainable businesses, including access to land, labour, capital, housing, markets, networks and knowledge. A new Europe-wide research initiative aims to overcome these hurdles...
July 7, 2018
Two potato varieties bred at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee have been recommended for release in Kenya thanks to the concerted efforts of AHDB, SASA, Seeds2B Africa - part of the Syngenta Foundation - and the Institute’s commercial...
June 6, 2018
What is the Scottish perspective on rural innovation, looking forward with the recent launch of the Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS)? That was the focus of a workshop organised by the Scottish Representation to the European Union in...
June 6, 2018
The latest cereal varieties and research will be on show at Saphock Farm in Aberdeenshire on Thursday 5th July for Cereals in Practice 2018, the annual cereals-themed event organised by the James Hutton Institute, Scotland's Rural College (...
June 6, 2018
This page lists recent projects relevant to UK alpine ecosystems.Contact us if you have papers or reports that you would like to be listed on this page. Return to main Alpine Ecology Network page
June 6, 2018
This page lists recent research papers and project reports relevant to UK alpine ecosystems. Contact us if you have papers or reports that you would like to be listed on this page. Return to main Alpine Ecology Network page
June 6, 2018
Here you will find details of past meetings of the UK Alpine Ecology Network along with links to workshop reports and presentations where available. Return to main Alpine Ecology Network page Inaugural meeting January 2018, James Hutton...
June 6, 2018
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...
June 6, 2018
Research by a group of scientists from the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute, along with partners from Glasgow and Durham universities, has found that a genetic process known as alternative splicing has a massive effect on the...
June 6, 2018
The James Hutton Institute again took part in Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Open Farm Sunday, the annual celebration of the story behind our food and how farming underpins our everyday lives. This time, hundreds turned up at our...
June 6, 2018
Hutton scientist Dr Peter Orrell has won the ‘Ready Steady Pitch’ award of the Converge Challenge 2018 with his MycoNourish product, which uses fungi to act as a secondary root system and improve plant health. The result came after...
June 6, 2018
How can social innovation change the face of rural areas in Scotland? What are the most appropriate approaches, methods and tools to assess social innovation? What does policy support of social innovation mean in the Scottish context? These...
May 5, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute are supporting the Asian Agricultural Long-Term Experiment (ALTER) with the aim of providing scientific basis and management options for soil sequestration and agricultural sustainability in Asia and...
May 5, 2018
More and more volunteers are waking up to the pervasive problem of plastic pollution in landscapes both home and abroad, and the James Hutton Institute’s Glensaugh Research Farm is no exception. A group of Mearns Academy pupils visited...
May 5, 2018
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, the James Hutton Institute's quarterly review, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our May 2018 issue:
May 5, 2018
More than 60 experts and stakeholders from the diverse worlds of forestry, horticulture, the environment and agriculture gathered at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to hear about the aims and vision of a new virtual Plant Health Centre for...
May 5, 2018
Land access issues, including limited availability of tenancies, are a critical barrier for new entrants to agriculture in Scotland, according to a new report commissioned by the Scottish Land Commission and authored by James Hutton Institute...
May 5, 2018
A new Knowledge Transfer Partnership involving the James Hutton Institute, its commercial subsidiary James Hutton Limited and the newly launched Scottish Honeyberry Cooperative aims to create a new ‘superfruit’ industry in Scotland...
May 5, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute are supporting an industry-led Innovate UK project aimed at improving food safety standards in potato, cereal, bread and other food products. The £1.99m initiative, led by Industrial Technology...
May 5, 2018
Plant Power Day is a free drop-in event for visitors of all ages who will have the opportunity to meet scientists from the University of Dundee Division of Plant Sciences and the James Hutton Institute and learn about the fascinating world of...
May 5, 2018
The science of the James Hutton Institute continues to attract the interest of the media. This time, Professor Derek Stewart and Dr Andrew Copus were featured in recent BBC programmes, in which they discussed research on the nutritional qualities...
May 5, 2018
A young Brazilian plant scientist whose research focusses on molecular biology and gene expression has been awarded the prestigious Peter Massalski Prize for Meritorious Research for 2018. Dr Cristiane Calixto is a post-doctoral researcher in...
April 4, 2018
The James Hutton Institute's Information and Computational Sciences group has announced a new version of Buntata, a free Android app to help potato growers identify plant pests and diseases in the field. Produced with support from the...
April 4, 2018
A Hydro Nation scholar carrying out research on common challenges across water, energy and food and their connections to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presented her PhD research during a session on “...
April 4, 2018
Pulses, the dry, edible seeds of plants in the legume family, which include UK-grown beans and peas as well as chickpeas and lentils, are incredibly sustainable superfoods that can make a unique contribution to global food security due to their...
April 4, 2018
A new short film produced by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership and acclaimed wildlife photographer Pete Cairns offers a glimpse of the incredible biodiversity that the North East of Scotland has to offer, from dolphins and humpback...
April 4, 2018
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), both part of the SEFARI collective, will be among the speakers at this week’s Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Rural...
April 4, 2018
A course delivered by James Hutton Institute specialist staff with contributions by honorary associate Tony Fraser.
April 4, 2018
In this Hutton Seminar Series talk, Professor Nick Hanley will describe the general characteristics of PES schemes, and then review the “design challenges” involved in the establishment of a PES scheme. He will also focus on three...
April 4, 2018
Is urban agriculture a viable alternative for members of the community that are unable to access fresh fruit and vegetables more easily because of social, financial or geographical barriers? An InnovateUK funded research project led by the James...
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
Biodiversity continues to decline in every region of the world, significantly reducing nature’s capacity to contribute to people’s well-being. This alarming trend endangers economies, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life...
March 3, 2018
Popular green spaces in Aberdeen are set to become even greener with the planting of almost 5,000 trees, in an initiative co-ordinated and delivered by the River Dee Trust and the James Hutton Institute-supported Dee Catchment Partnership....
March 3, 2018
In less than twenty years, agile has moved from a fringe development practice, largely dismissed by industry, to the dominant approach for building software products and services. This talk reviewed how and why that happened — examining...
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.
March 3, 2018
New research commissioned by the Scottish Government and conducted by the James Hutton Institute estimates that Scotland’s sparsely populated areas are at risk of losing more than a quarter of their population by 2046 if current demographic...
March 3, 2018
We are pleased to invite you to a screening of “10 Billion What’s on your plate?”, on Thursday 22 March 2018. Doors will be open at 6:30 pm with the event starting at 7:00. The film follows the director,...
March 3, 2018
A new website aiming to become a sharing platform for policymakers, researchers, scientists and anyone interested in the use of landscape features to reduce flood risk has been launched today.
March 3, 2018
For generations, rice has been a key crop for the Kelabit people who populate the highlands of Malaysian Borneo – so much so that the slow-growing variety grown in the area shares a name with the region and its main town, Bario. However,...
March 3, 2018
What makes a good scientist? What qualities are assets for success in the highly competitive and challenging environment of science? An outdated stereotype often paints a picture that all scientists are cold, hard, unemotional... and male. This...
March 3, 2018
Potato is a key food and cash crop contributing both to food security and the local economy in Kenya, Malawi and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists from the James Hutton Institute in collaboration with the University of St Andrews are...
March 3, 2018
Professor Steve Albon, an Honorary Research Associate of the James Hutton Institute, has been appointed a member of a new expert panel established by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to examine complex issues related to deer management in the...
February 2, 2018
Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute and current SEFARI Chair, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 66 new UK and International Fellows,...
February 2, 2018
Around 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste have so far been generated globally. Almost 80% of it goes into landfill or natural environment. Given the harm this causes, especially in the marine environment, the need to do something is urgent.
February 2, 2018
As the world’s population tries to adapt to climate change, many industries are still heavily reliant on fossil fuel resources to make components in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and other sectors – but the plant kingdom, and...
February 2, 2018
The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, the James Hutton Institute's quarterly review, is now available from our Hutton Highlights pages. Read in our February 2018 issue:
February 2, 2018
Gabrielle Flinn from RSPB will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Rare invertebrates in the Cairngorms project: one year on”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen (and screened to the...
February 2, 2018
A new raspberry variety, with exceptional fruit quality and high productivity, was presented at the Scottish Society for Crop Research and Bulrush Soft Fruit Information Day and Winter Meeting 2018. The new rasp, named Glen Carron, was...
February 2, 2018
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have developed a screening system which uses transparent soil technology to help fight nematodes - microscopic worms that are harmful to plants, damaging about 10% of susceptible crops and causing...
February 2, 2018
Dundee’s position as an international hub for research into cereals – particularly barley – has been given a boost with the award of a grant which will create new connections with Australia. The award of a £150,000 from...
February 2, 2018
Plants play essential roles in our lives from recreation and tourism to the economics of timber and crop production. However, the potential for harm from pests and diseases is ever present. Besides the many pests and pathogens that currently...
February 2, 2018
The global production of plastic continues to grow and a significant proportion of this ends up in our oceans. It is predicted that by 2025, without improvements to waste management, there will be 1 ton of plastic for every 3 tons of fish....
January 1, 2018
China's North Plain is one of the country's most important - and densely populated - agricultural regions, producing crops such as corn, cereals, vegetables and cotton. A research project led by the James Hutton Institute and China...
January 1, 2018
A report published today and co-authored by James Hutton Institute scientists recommends ways to count mountain hares. The scientific study compared a range of methods to count individuals, and determined the most effective, reliable and cost-...
January 1, 2018
Blowing up landmines and other undetonated explosives may be safer and more environmentally friendly than physically removing them from contaminated land, according to new research carried out by the University of Dundee, in partnership with...
January 1, 2018
Dr Mark Brewer has been appointed new Director of Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS). BioSS is based within the James Hutton Institute and works collaboratively with the other Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Institutes (...
January 1, 2018
Euan Caldwell, Head of Farm, Field and Glasshouses at the James Hutton Institute, has been recognised with the prestigious Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Technology Award at the Society’s 2017 award presentation for his and...
January 1, 2018
Evidence of significant barriers to women’s careers in Scottish agriculture has been presented at the Scottish Parliament by social researchers from Newcastle University and the James Hutton Institute. The presentation, sponsored by MSPs...
January 1, 2018
Daniel Leybourne from our Ecological Sciences Group will deliver this Entomological Club seminar entitled “Plant-aphid-environment interactions”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee (and screened to the Institute...
January 1, 2018
A potato research partnership between Xisen Group and the James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, has been shortlisted for a China-Scotland Business Award in the Business-Education Collaboration of the Year.
January 1, 2018
On 7th December 2017 at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) in Edinburgh, scientists working on crop science within the Scottish Government-funded Science Research Programme (WP2.1 – Crop and grassland production and disease...
January 1, 2018
A University of Dundee scientist based at the James Hutton Institute has been awarded more than £600,000 to study an increasing problem with the cereal crop barley that impacts the commercially important malting process and the shelf-life...
January 1, 2018
The damage that climate change could cause to nearly one-fifth of Scotland’s coastline, and the steps that could be taken to mitigate it, will be forecast in a new two-year research project funded by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW...
December 12, 2017
Tis’ the season of potato intake, but did you know the humble tattie is a great source of vitamins C, B6, B9 and a whole host of macro and microminerals? Together, these biocompounds are responsible for maintaining a good health balance and...
December 12, 2017
A PhD student at the University of Dundee and James Hutton Institute has been selected as Young Plant Scientist 2018 in the fundamental research category by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). Shumei Wang, based at the Institute...
December 12, 2017
The Conference represents a wide spectrum of life science interests in and around the city, from the ‘red end’ of medical sciences to the ‘green end’ with plant and crop science. This year's accompanying Networking...
December 12, 2017
In addition to more traditional seasonal dishes, there are good reasons to add some soft fruit to Christmas meals to enjoy extra health benefits, scientists at the James Hutton Institute have said. Researchers at the Institute have teamed with...
December 12, 2017
Sustaining agriculture to improve food production whilst reducing the pressure on the environment are now important considerations. Research supported by the Scottish Government aims to address these issues. Organised by the James Hutton...
December 12, 2017
Professor Alison Hester, of our Ecological Sciences group, has been appointed as member of a new independently-led group which aims to ensure grouse moor management practices are not only sustainable but are legally compliant. The group has...
December 12, 2017
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute took part in the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation delegation in support of a visit by Scotland's Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, to India from the 4th to the 7th of December. The...
December 12, 2017
Matt Aitkenhead & Cathy Hawes Soil is vital to our survival. We need it to grow our crops, feed our livestock, maintain our water supply and provide a home for biodiversity. However, because we do not see it doing these things, we forget...
November 11, 2017
The James Hutton Institute was proud to present an award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh last week. As sponsor of the Food & Farming category, the Institute supports the awards’ promotion of '...
November 11, 2017
A senior scientist from the James Hutton Institute has again been distinguished as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics. Professor Philip J. White, from our Ecological Sciences group, has been included in the Highly Cited Researcher...
November 11, 2017
Research from the James Hutton Institute will be utilised in a new initiative, with a potential spend of 1.2 billion dollars, aimed at tackling climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in India. One of the major impacts of...
November 11, 2017
Technology used on early space missions is being revived by two Fife companies to provide clean water for 100,000 people in Pakistan, with help from the James Hutton Institute and National University of Science and Technology in Islamabad. The...
November 11, 2017
Peat bogs are useful to society in many ways – they regulate our water flows and sequester greenhouse gases while serving as a historical archive of our past and protecting unique plant and animal species. However, many peat bogs have been...
November 11, 2017
For the first time in many years, red squirrels have been spotted at the James Hutton Institute's Craigiebuckler site and near the University of Aberdeen— a promising sign that this charismatic species is making a comeback in Aberdeen....
November 11, 2017
Professor Maria Nijnik, a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group, has been appointed a Scientific Advisory Council member of EURAC, a research centre based in Bolzano, Italy, whose...
November 11, 2017
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and partners have produced an evidence review on river and floodplain management, as part of an Evidence Directory recently launched by the Environment Agency. The Directory aims to provide better...
November 11, 2017
As an accredited Living Wage employer, the James Hutton Institute welcomes the increase in UK and London rates announced by the Living Wage Foundation as part of Living Wage Week (November 5th-11th 2017). In its second full year as part of a...
November 11, 2017
The James Hutton Institute is pleased to announce that Dr Andy Kindness has taken over the leadership of the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group from 1st November. The Institute’s Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group...
October 10, 2017
To meet ever-growing demand, agriculture has had to diversify and adapt at an astonishing rate. Increasingly, research and innovation will play a significant role in supporting the world’s most important industry. Countries that...
October 10, 2017
The James Hutton Institute celebrated reinforcing its extensive analytical chemistry capabilities for research and commercial work with a launch evening and ribbon cutting for their new Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer. The £500K...
October 10, 2017
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have become important partners in a project which aims to improve green spaces in a Lanarkshire town. Cumbernauld Living Landscape, a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire...
October 10, 2017
Scientists from the International Barley Hub have discovered a genetic pathway to improved barley grain size and uniformity, a finding which may help breeders develop future varieties suited to the needs of growers and distillers.
October 10, 2017
The SIFSS (Soil Indicators for Scottish Soils) app has recently been updated to improve usability. Aimed at growers, farmers and land managers in Scotland, the app allows them to quickly identify soil type in their area.
October 10, 2017
Katrina Dainton from Forest Research will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “A tale of two beetles”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee (and screened to the Institute’s Aberdeen site...
October 10, 2017
The team behind Scotland’s Environment Web, a James Hutton Institute-supported website aiming to be a ‘one-stop’ resource to access a variety of information resources on the Scottish environment, have launched a newly redesigned...
October 10, 2017
Is economic growth the solution to our challenges? Will it really deliver prosperity and wellbeing for a rapidly growing global population and allow us to live on a planet with finite resources? Should our prosperity be measured by the size of...
September 9, 2017
Trade-offs are key ingredients of many major ecological theories, such as co-existence theories or theories explaining positive biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning. Often, however, we have only limited knowledge of the (molecular)...
September 9, 2017
Anaerobic digestion, a process by which micro-organisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen leading to the production of biogas and bio-fertilisers, is an increasingly relevant source of renewable electricity and heat...
September 9, 2017
The Scottish Forestry Strategy’s stated aim is to make forestry a central part of Scotland’s culture, economy and environment, allowing people to benefit from Scotland’s trees, woodlands and forests. However, are the right...
September 9, 2017
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen are exploring the relationship between ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and native tree species in Scotland. The study will also determine which climatic and environmental...
September 9, 2017
Our commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, will be holding a Technology Awareness Day on Thursday 26th October at our Aberdeen site to offer insight into the Institute's analytical services offering, including Scanning Electron...
September 9, 2017
NEFERTITI will establish an EU-wide highly connected network of well-specified demonstration and pilot farms, which is designed to enhance thematic knowledge exchange, cross fertilisation among actors and efficient innovation uptake in the...
September 9, 2017
Research into organic phosphorus is key to ensure future food security and environmental sustainability, according to an international group of scientists led by researchers at the James Hutton Institute, Lancaster University’s Environment...
September 9, 2017
Is economic growth the solution to our challenges? Will it really deliver prosperity and wellbeing for a rapidly growing global population and allow us to live on a planet with finite resources? Should our prosperity be measured by the size of...
September 9, 2017
Research projects aiming to provide land managers with alternatives for efficient land management of upland systems will be presented at an event titled "The Challenge of Marginal Land: efficient utilisation of the managed natural...
September 9, 2017
Soil scientists at the James Hutton Institute are working to create the first unified digital map of soil properties within Great Britain, a development which will contribute to worldwide Global Soil Map projects and improve the data available to...
September 9, 2017
A research collaboration between REMIN, the James Hutton Institute, James Hutton Limited and a group of Tayside soft fruit growers led by Arbuckle's of Invergowrie has been awarded funding to investigate the economic potential of honeyberries...
August 8, 2017
The potential offered by social innovation to improve the livelihoods of remote forest-dependent communities will be at the centre of discussions during a special session of the 125th Anniversary Congress of the International Union of Forest...
August 8, 2017
Native plants need a helping hand if they are to recover from invasive rhododendron, Scottish ecologists have discovered. A new study in the Journal of Applied Ecology reveals that – even at sites cleared of rhododendron 30 years ago...
August 8, 2017
An enterprising plant scientist and master distiller with links to the James Hutton Institute and Abertay University has been chosen as one of Farmers Weekly’s first-ever Rising Stars. At just 35, PhD student Kirsty Black manages Arbikie...
August 8, 2017
A Blueberry Breeding Consortium including members from three European countries held its inaugural meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee yesterday. The new consortium will fund a blueberry breeding programme which will deliver new and...
August 8, 2017
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ukrainian National Forestry University (UNFU) and the James Hutton Institute to promote cooperation in scientific research on sustainability, ecosystem service issues, climate change,...
August 8, 2017
Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected to descend on Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2017, a technical potato field event featuring a high-standard mix of science,...
July 7, 2017
Introduction
July 7, 2017
The important role soil can play in forensic investigations has again been highlighted by the involvement of the James Hutton Institute’s soil forensics team in a high-profile case, this time the enquiry by South Yorkshire Police into the...
July 7, 2017
The James Hutton Institute will be hosting a BioBlitz event at its site in Craigiebuckler on Friday 28th July - come and help ecologists identify as many species of plants, animals and fungi, in a race against the clock to learn as much as...
July 7, 2017
The profile of bere barley, its potential as a source of traits for human and environmental health and as a source of living heritage was highlighted at an event recently held on and around the mainland of Orkney, featuring a range of lectures,...
July 7, 2017
The James Hutton Institute presents seminars addressing the core issues and challenges facing the way in which land and natural resources are used. The Hutton Seminar series aims to engage society in discussion and identify future needs or...
July 7, 2017
The potential of social innovation to tackle depopulation in rural areas of Europe and beyond was the focus of a presentation offered by James Hutton Institute social scientist Professor Maria Nijnik at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, with HM...
July 7, 2017
Join us at Saphock Farm in Aberdeenshire on Thursday 6th July for the 2017 issue of Cereals in Practice, the annual showcase of variety trials and research organised by us, SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) and the Scottish Society for Crop...
June 6, 2017
The GROW Observatory (GROW) is a European-wide project engaging thousands of growers, scientists and others passionate about the land. We will discover together, using simple tools to better manage soil and grow food, while contributing to vital...
June 6, 2017
Research by Newcastle University and the James Hutton Institute has found that women play a major role in Scottish agriculture, participating in the full range of farming activities. However, barriers remain to their entry into the industry,...
June 6, 2017
Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, has announced plans to establish a James Hutton Foundation which will celebrate James Hutton’s contributions to science and become a new membership organisation for...
June 6, 2017
Potato is the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat; more than a billion people worldwide eat potato, and global crop production exceeds 300m tonnes each year. However, the crop is particularly vulnerable to increased...
June 6, 2017
The James Hutton Institute welcomed over a thousand visitors to its Dundee site during Open Farm Sunday, the celebration of farming and nature that gives everyone the opportunity to discover the story behind their food. Managed by Linking...
June 6, 2017
A new research initiative led by Scotland’s James Hutton Institute is set to explore innovative mixed-species crop systems, or ‘plant teams’, in a drive to tackle a global challenge: how to feed a growing population from finite...
June 6, 2017
Legumes are a very special type of crop; they are not only a source of highly nutritious food and feed but legumes require no inorganic nitrogen fertiliser, which means they have major advantages as a more sustainable crop. Despite their benefits...
June 6, 2017
James Hutton Limited, the James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, has welcomed two delegations of European visitors to the Institute’s Dundee site as part of efforts to share knowledge and ideas with a huge variety of interest...
June 6, 2017
The James Hutton Institute has joined more than 30 universities and research institutions from across the UK in backing a pledge to support their technicians. The Technician Commitment is a sector-wide initiative led by the Science Council and...
May 5, 2017
The Potato Story, an exhibit without a single decorative bloom on show, has charmed Chelsea Flower Show judges into awarding a gold medal to Scottish potato aficionados Morrice and Ann Innes for the third year running – the only medals for...
May 5, 2017
Research by James Hutton Institute scientists to explore issues associated with land use in Scotland has been featured in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine. The article, titled “What Will Become of Scotland Moors?...
May 5, 2017
The James Hutton Institute has announced four new non-executive Board appointments, bringing plant scientist Professor Alyson Tobin, communications expert Elizabeth Wade, conservation specialist Susan Davies and farmer George Lawrie to its Board...
May 5, 2017
Bere barley, a type of barley thought to be the oldest cereal in continuous commercial cultivation in the far north of Britain, may hold key genetic resources to allow plant breeders to tackle issues of agricultural sustainability and...
May 5, 2017
This one-day event organised by the Dundee Roots Group and held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, is aimed at scientists interested in root research and the plant-soil interface and will feature the 2017 ISRR Medal Lecture on Root Research...
May 5, 2017
The James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee are taking part in the international Fascination of Plants Day on Sunday 21st May with a celebration of the power of plants. The free 'Plant Power’ event set amidst the...
May 5, 2017
Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), has been announced as the speaker of the 40th T.B. Macaulay Lecture, to be presented...
May 5, 2017
Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), will deliver the 40th T.B. Macaulay Lecture, which will take place for the second...
May 5, 2017
Lyme disease – an infection contracted from the bite of an infected tick– is an important emerging disease in the UK, and is increasing in incidence in people in the UK and large parts of Europe and North America. A new study,...
May 5, 2017
  Come and spend a fun family day on the farm!
May 5, 2017
Scientists from the International Barley Hub working in collaboration with brewing industry partners have unravelled the genetic secrets of Golden Promise, a popular malting barley variety in the 1970s and 1980s, in a drive to develop future...
May 5, 2017
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Dundee and the Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University of China, have discovered that the pathogen responsible for the...
April 4, 2017
As one of the world's most important food crops, potatoes are grown for many different markets. It is fundamental for farmers to know when to halt crop growth to achieve optimal tuber size for market and so maximize profits. Until now,...
April 4, 2017
An international scientific consortium has reported the first high-quality genome sequence of barley, a development which will assist crop breeders in developing more resilient barley varieties suited to the requirements of the brewing,...
April 4, 2017
Research by a PhD student jointly funded by the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen has won the Student Paper Competition at the American Association of Geographers (AAG) conference held in Boston, USA, earlier this month....
April 4, 2017
A Hutton-led research project studying social challenges faced by rural areas across Europe and the wider Mediterranean area was presented at the fifth CRISES (Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales) international conference, held in...
April 4, 2017
Plant Power - a fascinating day for all the family!
April 4, 2017
According to recent media reports the European Commission seems poised to ban some of Europe’s most widely used pesticides to protect bees and other pollinators, but is the move likely to have an impact on food production and security?...
April 4, 2017
The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NES BP) celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017, and to mark the occasion it organised its first-ever Biodiversity Champions Award prize giving ceremony to recognise the efforts of local...
March 3, 2017
Businesses, charities, communities and policy-makers will benefit from easier access to environmental and agricultural research carried out in Scotland, thanks to a collective launched today. The collective – called Scottish Environment,...
March 3, 2017
Innovative soft fruit research taking place at the James Hutton Institute, including variety development and the investigation of nutritional aspects of berries, was the focus of a talk offered by Jamie Smith, Business Development Manager of...
March 3, 2017
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have been involved in a three-year community research project to deliver a new online service to help better manage the quality of water and ecosystems in the UK. The service, recently launched at an...
March 3, 2017
Specimens of Mutilla europaea, a rare species of parasitoid wasp commonly known as ‘velvet ants’ because of their distinctive appearance and similarity of females to ants, have been sighted in Scotland for the first time in 32 years...
March 3, 2017
Professor Lorna Dawson, a forensic soil scientist based at the James Hutton Institute, has joined a team of Police Scotland detectives as they commence a full scientific examination of a site in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire as part of the...
March 3, 2017
Fungi are immensely important to humanity and the planet we live on. They belong to their own kingdom, provide powerful medicines including antibiotics, regulate many processes in soils and also provide society with numerous food and drink...
March 3, 2017
Ecosystem services – the flows of resources such as clean air, water, food, materials and mental restoration generated by the interaction of humans and nature – are the subject of significant research efforts by scientists throughout...
March 3, 2017
Common grazings cover 6% of Scotland, supporting High Nature Value habitats like upland grasslands, and a distinct culture of crofting and traditional hill grazing. But declining agricultural incomes and demographic change have meant a retreat...
February 2, 2017
Samples from Scotland’s National Soil Archive hosted at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen have been used for the art/science project Geologic Intimacy (Yu no Hana) by artist Ilana Halperin, which highlights the historical connections...
February 2, 2017
Scotland’s environment faces many challenges including a changing climate, invasive species, pollution and changes in the way our land and seas are managed, and ecological research is at the heart of solutions to help policymakers,...
February 2, 2017
The Commonwealth Potato Collection (CPC), a unique repository of potato germplasm held in trust by the James Hutton Institute with support from the Scottish Government, has made the first-ever seed deposit by a UK institution into the Global Seed...
February 2, 2017
The James Hutton Institute will be holding Open Farm Sunday on 11 June 2017, Dundee site. Find us at Directions to the Dundee site. Open farm Sunday - latest 
February 2, 2017
Consumption of berries may have beneficial effects on health related to type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. The beneficial effects may be due to the presence of protective polyphenol...
February 2, 2017
A research collaboration featuring scientists from the James Hutton Institute, Newcastle University and the University of Aberdeen has uncovered evidence that man-made pollutants have now reached the most remote habitats of our planet.
February 2, 2017
Glen Dee, a late season floricane raspberry variety bred at the James Hutton Institute and licensed by James Hutton Limited, has been shortlisted in the 'Best New Variety: Top/Soft Fruit' category of the Horticulture Week UK Grower Awards...
February 2, 2017
SALSA will provide a better understanding of the current and potential contribution of small farms and food businesses to sustainable food and nutrition security. Using a food systems perspective the project will look beyond production capacity...
February 2, 2017
More than £1.8 billion of planned investment will form the basis of the Tay Cities Deal which could create up to 15,000 jobs for the region. Among over 50 projects included in a submission document revealed today at the James Hutton...
January 1, 2017

Background (Page)

The long-term viability of farming in Scotland depends on the sustainable management of our agricultural habitats. We need to achieve a balance between maximising crop production, conserving arable biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functions...
January 1, 2017
The James Hutton Institute today announced the appointment of a new Chair for the Institute Board, a move complemented by the appointment of a new Chair to the Board of James Hutton Ltd, its commercial subsidiary. Two new members of the Institute...
January 1, 2017
Certain Scottish honeys have shown antimicrobial activities equal to that of commercial ‘super-honeys’ and may be useful in the ongoing fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, scientists at the James Hutton Institute and Queen...
January 1, 2017
Deer are iconic species in Scotland and provide a key ecological resource for the tourism, hunting and food industries. However, at high densities their impact can be detrimental to some habitats. Are the right policies and incentives in place to...
January 1, 2017
Food is a key lens through which to see the world and what is happening. In this talk, Geoff Tansey will reflect on the challenges facing us in creating food systems globally that are fair, healthy and sustainable in the face of growing...
January 1, 2017
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and collaborators from across Europe have announced the start of a project which aims to increase farmers’ access to demonstrations of best practices and innovation in agriculture. Funded by the...
December 12, 2016
Mrs Sheena Lamond, a longstanding member of staff and part of the James Hutton Institute’s Cell and Molecular Sciences group in Dundee, has been recognised in the 2017 New Year Honours list.
December 12, 2016
New plant breeding technology is being used by the James Hutton Institute to help blueberries thrive in the Scottish climate, the Scottish Government's Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced. Part of a significant programme...
December 12, 2016
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen are collaborating on a three-year research project to understand the long-term impacts of flooding on people and communities, one year on from the December 2015 and January...
December 12, 2016
Planting peas and other legumes alongside cereal crops could help make farming greener, ecologists at the James Hutton Institute say. Intercropping, as it's known, could cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fertiliser, as...
December 12, 2016
Scientists have developed an improved technique for capturing longer DNA fragments, doubling the size up to 7000 DNA bases that can be analysed for novel genes which provide plants with immunity to disease. By using the RenSeq method,...
December 12, 2016
Professor Jeff Wilson, Honorary Research Fellow of the James Hutton Institute, has been presented with the Collins Medal at the President’s Lunch of the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
December 12, 2016
An analysis commissioned by the James Hutton Institute has calculated that the Institute delivers £12.75 of economic benefit for each £1 received in funding from the Scottish government - a substantial economic impact and an...
December 12, 2016
Often portrayed as pulling Santa’s sleigh, reindeer are a Christmas staple. Now, ecologists have found that reindeer are shrinking due to the impact of climate change on their food supplies. Speaking at the British Ecological Society...
December 12, 2016

Peat Surveys: Knock Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Knock Moss, Wigtownshire
December 12, 2016

Peat Surveys: Elsie Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Elsie Moss, Aberdeenshire
December 12, 2016
Peat Deposit: Fiag Plantation, Highland
December 12, 2016
Following an announcement made to staff earlier this month, the James Hutton Institute has confirmed the recruitment of Derek Leslie as its new Director of Finance and Company Secretary, replacing Beth Corcoran who is stepping down after four...
December 12, 2016
New risk criteria which aim to transform the performance of potato late blight alert systems were revealed today (7th December) at AHDB’s Agronomists’ Conference in Peterborough. Arising from research undertaken by the James Hutton...
December 12, 2016
Peat Deposit: Wyndford Moss, Aberdeenshire
December 12, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to allow beavers to remain in Argyll and Tayside as a protected species, but warned continued long-term monitoring and active management in...
November 11, 2016
The James Hutton Institute’s Annual Review for 2015-16 has been presented by Chief Executive Professor Colin Campbell. The document presents an overview of the financial and biographical status of the Institute as well as a summary of...
November 11, 2016
The inventiveness and effort of staff at the James Hutton Institute were recognised with a score of awards - including the top prize - at the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards, held at the Crieff Hydro with over 300 guests from...
November 11, 2016
Summary of Peat Deposit Depths, and Land Cover in 1988
November 11, 2016
Peat Deposit: Blacklaw Bog, South Lanarkshire
November 11, 2016
A practical ‘magic margins’ solution to soil erosion devised by the James Hutton Institute’s Farm, Field & Glasshouse team won the Innovation Award at the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2016 Awards prizegiving ceremony, held at the...
November 11, 2016
St Andrews Brewing Company, a locally-owned Scottish brewery producing craft beer in Fife, has partnered with the James Hutton Institute to develop Harvest Beer, a wholly Scottish beer featuring hops grown at the Institute’s Mylnefield Farm...
November 11, 2016
Dr Kerry Waylen, a social scientist based at the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographic Sciences group in Aberdeen, has been invited to speak at a Science Forum preceding the next meeting of the Convention on Biological...
November 11, 2016
Peat Deposit: Awhirk Moss, Wigtownshire
November 11, 2016
With the latest Progress Report on the Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Strategy expected to be published in early 2017, this seminar will provide a timely opportunity for policymakers and other key stakeholders to consider the...
November 11, 2016
Scientists, plant health officials, representatives from farmers’ organisations and potato growers from Scotland and Kenya participated in a workshop held in Nairobi to discuss findings from BBSRC and Scottish Government funded research on...
November 11, 2016
A publication co-edited by a James Hutton Institute scientist is at the top of the most-read electronic books of 2016, according to influential research network Frontiers. The book, titled Plants as alternative hosts for human and animal...
November 11, 2016
A research consortium including the James Hutton Institute and the University of Southampton is to tackle the problem of greening in potato, the world’s fourth most important food crop, in a drive to reduce field and supply chain losses...
November 11, 2016
Representatives from James Hutton Limited, the James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, and the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) are to take part in the TECH Summit 2016, which will see thought leaders, businesses, educational...
November 11, 2016
As one of the world's most important food crops, potatoes are grown for many different markets. It is fundamental for farmers to know when to halt crop growth to achieve optimal tuber size for market and so maximize profits. Until now,...
November 11, 2016
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, Lord Dunlop, held a roundtable discussion today at the James Hutton Institute's Invergowrie site near Dundee, on the implications of Brexit for research and innovation. Lord Dunlop...
November 11, 2016
How can social innovation change the face of marginalised rural areas in Europe and beyond? What are the most appropriate approaches, methods and tools that can be used for assessing social innovations? What does policy support to social...
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Drumbreck Moss, North Lanarkshire
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Drumbow Moss, North Lanarkshire
October 10, 2016
Drs Hazel Bull and Lionel Dupuy, from the James Hutton Institute, joined fellow scientists from across the UK in sharing crop research updates at the New Frontiers in Crop Research Conference, organised by the Biotechnology and Biological...
October 10, 2016
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS), China, and the James Hutton Institute, during a visit of a SAAS delegation to the Institute's Dundee site.  SAAS previously held...
October 10, 2016
The contribution crofters and island farmers make to managing land of high nature value will be the focus of a short film and following panel discussion planned for 7.30 pm on Thursday 10th November in the Aros centre, Portree on Skye.
October 10, 2016
The publication of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 was the expression of a global consensus to follow a pathway to a better future. The 17 goals and the 169 targets indicate areas where progress is needed and show...
October 10, 2016
Peat Deposit: Dirskelpin Moss, Wigtownshire
October 10, 2016
As part of CrimeFest 2016 in Aberdeenshire, crime writer Lin Anderson and Hutton forensics expert Professor Lorna Dawson ask ‘How real is fiction when it comes to the forensic facts of a case?‘
October 10, 2016

Potatosize (Research Page)

The PotatoSize app provides potato growers with information on the proportion of their crop that lies within each size range of interest. It uses image analysis to interpret a photo of potatoes sampled in the field. Development was in partnership...
October 10, 2016
Women who are current or former students of agriculture and related courses (including agricultural economics, rural business management, equine and horse care, and large animal veterinary practice) at college or university level in Scotland are...
October 10, 2016
A new look version of the Scotland’s Soils website has been launched, in a drive to promote access to information on one of Scotland’s most valuable natural assets.
September 9, 2016
A new report on river restoration and biodiversity, published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and by Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), describes the importance of rivers in the UK and Ireland for...
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Nutberry Moss and Dornock Flow, Dumfriesshire Survey: 1967
September 9, 2016
Soil isn’t just dirt: it’s the ideal trace material, as it sticks when wet and can be highly distinctive. That’s what Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensic Science at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, said after...
September 9, 2016

Peat Surveys: Creca Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Creca Moss, Dumfriesshire
September 9, 2016
More needs to be done to promote sustainable food production if we are to solve the apparent conflict between the interests of nature and those of modern agriculture, according to researchers at the James Hutton Institute. This warning comes in...
September 9, 2016
Come along and get involved in the future of Scotland's woodland. The James Hutton Institute will be running activities to find out what you think about woodlands. Don't miss your chance to go virtual reality mountain-biking! The...
September 9, 2016

Scotland's Soil Data (Research Page)

To view a wide range of soil and land capability maps online please visit Scotland's Soils website or the National Library of Scotland where you can view a selection of the published 1:63,360 (1 inch to the mile) scale maps. A number of soil...
September 9, 2016
Bioinformaticians at the James Hutton Institute are contributing to a major research effort which seeks to deliver better maize and wheat varieties to over 40 countries around the world, with the aim of improving resilience to farmers’...
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Gartur Moss, Stirlingshire
September 9, 2016

Our Science (Research Page)

Our work covers much of the terrestrial environment and involves soils, water and crop production. Soils Physical, chemical and biological processes within soils underpin a vast range of ecosystem services. Our work deals with the fundamental...
September 9, 2016
As part of the Bloody Scotland Festival, our Head of Soil Forensics, Professor Lorna Dawson, will participate in a discussion of forensic fact and fiction together with crime writer Lin Anderson.
September 9, 2016
As part of Byres Road Book Festival, our Head of Soil Forensics, Professor Lorna Dawson, will participate in a discussion of forensic fact and fiction together with crime writer Lin Anderson.
September 9, 2016
The launch of a massive, European-wide project aiming to involve tens of thousands of ‘citizen scientists’ in a drive to empower growers with knowledge on sustainable practices and make a vital contribution to global environmental...
September 9, 2016
Peat Deposit: Cranley Bog, South Lanarkshire
August 8, 2016
As one of the world's most important food crops, potatoes have got everything you need to survive – but could they also help produce the drugs needed to treat illnesses? Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are investigating the...
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Harburn and Cobbinshaw Bogs, West Lothian
August 8, 2016
Green prescribing by doctors and other health professionals could be a valuable way of helping older people reap the benefits of outdoor recreation. The idea is among a number of recommendations contained in a new report commissioned by the...
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Backhill of Bush Moss, Kirkudbrightshire
August 8, 2016
Climate change and forestry research from James Hutton Institute scientists has been featured in two influential publications: Forestry for a low-carbon future – integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies, edited by...
August 8, 2016
Chinese and Scottish researchers are to work together and explore joint solutions to potato pests and diseases that cause major losses to farmers and industry across the world. Last week, the James Hutton Institute and the Heilongjiang Academy...
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Mindork Moss, Wigtownshire
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: Glims Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Glims Moss, Orkney
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: White Moss (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: White Moss, Orkney
August 8, 2016

Peat Surveys: Dornal Bog (Research Page)

Peat Deposit: Dornal Bog, Wigtownshire
August 8, 2016
Peat Deposit: Threepwood Moss, Roxburghshire
August 8, 2016
More than 100 potato scientists from all across Europe and beyond descended on Dundee to discuss crop pests and diseases that cost millions in annual losses to farmers and industry. The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) Pathology...
August 8, 2016
Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected to descend on Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2016, the UK’s largest technical potato field event offering a high-...
July 7, 2016
A collaboration involving the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen has been awarded approximately £450K to carry out two research projects into building resilience to drought in Ethiopia and the interaction between organic...
July 7, 2016
Farmers, agronomists, representatives of the food and drink industry and scientists will come together next week (Thursday 14th July, 4.00 to 6.30pm) at the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee site to take part in Fruit for the Future, the...
July 7, 2016
Four new projects addressing challenges in soil and water management across whole rotations have been awarded £1.2m in funding from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The interrelated projects will form a five-year...
June 6, 2016
Cereals industry representatives, farmers, agronomists and scientists from all over Scotland and beyond are expected to descend on Saphock Farm near Oldmeldrum next week (Tuesday 5th July, 2.30 to 7.30pm) to take part in Cereals in Practice 2016...
June 6, 2016
The James Hutton Institute and vertical farming entrepreneurs Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) have agreed on plans to establish a futuristic farming facility at the Institute’s site in Invergowrie near Dundee. It is predicted that the...
June 6, 2016
The aim of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem subgroup is to understand how human driven global and local changes impact on the network of interactions between animals, microbes and plants in natural and semi-natural habitats to predict change and...
June 6, 2016
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to once again be inviting visitors to join them at their marquee during the Royal Highland Show where we will be showcasing the contribution our science and research makes to the continuing success of...
June 6, 2016
Mr Chris Law, MP for Dundee West, visited the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie to learn about exciting and innovative scientific research that is having considerable impact at home and abroad, as well as its commercial potential for...
June 6, 2016
Parasitic nematode worms are the 'hidden enemy’ of farmers worldwide, causing billions of pounds worth of crop damage every year. Now an international research collaboration led by the University of Dundee and the James Hutton...
June 6, 2016
Maps of the distribution of surveys of peat deposits by the Scottish Peat Committee and Macaulay Institute Peat Surveys (since 1984)
June 6, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have backed calls for the implementation of a long-term strategy to tackle flood prevention. The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee have today published their “Flooding: Cooperation...
June 6, 2016
A Royal Society of Edinburgh biodiversity discussion forum ‘Life in soil: Does it matter?’ took place on the 24th February 2016. It invited the audience to think about the critically important role that soil plays in human life and...
June 6, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton institute have welcomed the findings of a report published by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee on the health of UK soils. Soil is of fundamental importance to society yet remains one of our most...
May 5, 2016
Scientists from across Europe and the wider Mediterranean area met at the James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, to mark the start of a 4-year project addressing some of the most important social challenges faced by rural areas. The Social Innovation...
May 5, 2016
Risk modeller Dr Rupert Hough has been appointed to the leadership of the Information and Computational Sciences group at the James Hutton Institute, following the semi-retirement of Dr David Marshall. The James Hutton Institute's...
May 5, 2016
The potential of ecosystem services-based approaches for sustainable water resource management has been highlighted in a book co-edited by researchers from the University of Leeds, the James Hutton Institute, the James Cook University and UNESCO...
May 5, 2016
Two young scientists based at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee have been jointly awarded the Peter Massalski Prize for meritorious research.
May 5, 2016
A research project that aims to develop mycological capacity and promote sustainable resource management in the Lao People's Democratic Republic has made significant progress, with two researchers from the National University of Laos (NUoL)...
May 5, 2016
The latest research on water suggests that global demand will increase by 55% by the 2050s and the world could suffer a 40% shortfall in 15 years unless dramatic changes are made in water use and managing water resources. However, are the right...
May 5, 2016
The James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee are coming together in the name of ‘Plant Power’. They will be hosting an event on Saturday May 21st at Dundee Botanic Garden to highlight how fascinating plants are and how...
May 5, 2016
April 4, 2016
Renewable energy and sustainability will be in focus next week at All-Energy 2016 - the UK’s premier event for alternative energy sources and associated technologies – and multi-disciplinary experts from across the James Hutton Group...
April 4, 2016
Scientists in Brazil and the UK are joining forces to help solve urgent food and energy security issues in South America's most populous country, by establishing a virtual centre that will investigate how to reduce the use of fertilisers and...
April 4, 2016
An upcoming book co-edited by a James Hutton Institute entomologist and environmental researcher will provide an in-depth look into the contribution of wood ants to woodland ecosystem functions and processes.
April 4, 2016
Following on from TV series "How to Stay Young”, whose first episode was broadcast last night on BBC One, scientists at the James Hutton Institute are pleased to see that the message is getting through about the many health benefits of...
April 4, 2016
An old coal mine in Lanarkshire could soon be springing back into life and once again provide heating for people’s homes thanks to geothermal power. A joint effort by North Lanarkshire Council and the James Hutton Institute hopes to bring a...
April 4, 2016
Scotland’s Environment Web, a website that aims to be a ‘one-stop’ resource to access a variety of information resources on the Scottish environment, has been shortlisted for the LIFE Citizens’ Award for Environment at the...
April 4, 2016
Ongoing research by the James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research and Lancaster University is shedding light into the dark world of roots and soils, by focusing on the potential of plants to harness the phosphorus (P) already present in soils...
March 3, 2016
As east-central Scotland's Local Coastal Partnership, the Tay Estuary Forum puts together a conference each year to reflect current issues within the coastal and marine environments at both a regional and national scale, with a Tay...
March 3, 2016
The organisers of a workshop in which organisations from all across the UK came together to discuss better collaboration when tackling interdisciplinary research have published a body of guidance notes, intended to supply advice and help...
March 3, 2016
Crop traits such as consistency, predictability and storability are highly desirable for the agricultural industry, and of particular importance to potato growers. However, do we understand the genetics behind the traits, and more importantly,...
March 3, 2016
The Scottish Government has today announced the re-commissioning of EPIC, the Pan-Scottish Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks. For the next 5 years EPIC will be led from the University of Glasgow by Professor Dominic Mellor,...
March 3, 2016
Scotland will remain at the forefront of ground-breaking advances in farming and food production as a result of continued Scottish Government funding for scientific research, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has said. More than £...
March 3, 2016
There has been a renewed drive in nature conservation policy in recent years, but is it coming at the expense of limitations in the delivery of the many services that our ecosystems provide, such as tourism and recreation, provision of raw...
March 3, 2016
Is the land-based sector in North East Scotland resilient enough to face future challenges? This question, along with many others, is at the centre of a report commissioned by the North East Scotland Agricultural Advisory Group (NESAAG) and...
March 3, 2016
Craig Macadam, Conservation Director from the invertebrate charity Buglife, will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “More than just fish food: Ecosystem services provided by freshwater insects”. It will be held...
March 3, 2016
Two new projects featuring James Hutton Institute scientists in Aberdeen and Dundee have received a share of £2m for research to help combat threats to trees and plants, as part of the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative (THAPBI)....
March 3, 2016
UK soils are a non-renewable resource and they underpin our food security, water management, biodiversity and carbon storage. However, are the right policies and incentives in place to ensure their long-term health? The question is at the centre...
March 3, 2016
Leading plant pathologist Professor Paul Birch of the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 56 new...
March 3, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the launch of a Plant Health Strategy by Dr Aileen McLeod MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. The new strategy includes the appointment of a...
March 3, 2016
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute were yesterday at the Houses of Parliament in London to make the case and win parliamentarians’ support for the International Barley Hub (IBH), a project that aims to create an unique platform for...
February 2, 2016
Edinburgh-based statisticians from Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), part of the James Hutton Group, are helping shape the potential future of crop production in space by supporting the Rocket Science educational project, organised...
February 2, 2016
Plant Power Day is a free drop-in event for visitors of all ages who will have the opportunity to meet scientists from the University of Dundee Division of Plant Sciences and the James Hutton Institute and learn about the fascinating world of...
February 2, 2016
The Institute and LEAF will hold a Technical Day for farmers on 9 June 2016 at Balruddery Farm near Dundee. See below for flyer, invite and contacts. Latest ... See LEAF's blog on the event ..... featuring Euan Caldwell's Magic...
February 2, 2016
How can mankind meet the challenges of achieving food and fuel security in a growing world without destroying the planet? Come and hear emerging ideas on how to use plants to sustainably produce food, fuels and chemicals while mitigating climate...
February 2, 2016
The Board of Directors of the James Hutton Institute has appointed Professor Colin Campbell to be the Institute's new Chief Executive. Professor Campbell has been interim Chief Executive since September when Professor Iain Gordon, the...
February 2, 2016
Join us for a talk that explores the career of one of Scotland’s leading experts on preventing E.coli bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning. Dr Nicola Holden (James Hutton Institute) started her research career working as a...
February 2, 2016
What tastes like a cross between a raspberry and blueberry, is packed full of healthy compounds and is suited to cold climates? Growers in Scotland heard about the business potential of honeyberries - a new 'superberry' from Siberia and...
February 2, 2016
February 2, 2016
Work carried out at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee aiming to tackle environmental challenges will be explored at a conference next week. The Centre for Environmental Change and Human Resilience (CECHR) will hold its...
February 2, 2016
Ainoa Pravia from the Ecological Sciences Group, James Hutton Institute, will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Evaluating peatland management for multiple ecosystem services”. It will be held at the James...
February 2, 2016
A report from a ground-breaking project identifying ways to resolve conflicts about predation has been launched by Environment Minister, Dr Aileen McLeod. The report analyses the views of a large number of stakeholders in conservation and land...
February 2, 2016
A prestigious and fiercely contested science prize has been awarded to a student based at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen, and funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The 2015 Anne Keymer Prize was won by Janet...
February 2, 2016
During National Science Week 2016 the Carse of Gowrie Sustainability Group are delighted to host an evening lecture with Dr Mike Sutton from Trent Nottingham University, the leading expert and published author on Matthew’s scientific legacy...
February 2, 2016
Dr Jonathan Snape, Commercial Director of our subsidiary James Hutton Limited, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange category of the inaugural Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, organised by Interface. The...
February 2, 2016
Scientists working in Scotland and China have uncovered a potential Achilles’ heel in the organism which causes potato blight, a global problem with associated costs estimated at US$6billion around the world every year. Blight was the...
February 2, 2016

Soil posters (Research Page)

This series of posters around Scottish soils was originally designed in collaboration with Geography teachers from Scottish schools. In light of the enlightened public interest in soils as a result of 2015 being the International Year of Soils,...
January 1, 2016
The GreenHealth project, and its findings, are referenced by the following research teams or outputs:  
January 1, 2016
Leading UK and Chinese environmental scientists are taking part in a Science to Policy Roundtable in Beijing this week to discuss issues surrounding water resources and governance for water security.
January 1, 2016
Juliette Dinning will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Dragonflies and damselflies of north east Scotland”. It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen (and screened to the Institute’s...
January 1, 2016
A group of academics from a leading Saudi Arabian university visited the James Hutton Institute in Dundee and Aberdeen to share ideas about crop, soil and land use research and specialist facilities. The visitors, from Qassim University, had...
January 1, 2016
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was established to provide decision makers with scientifically credible and independent information that takes into account the complex relationship between...
January 1, 2016
Ecosystem services – the flows of resources such as clean air, water, food, materials and mental restoration – are the product of humans and nature interacting together and have a social dimension that needs to be further investigated...
January 1, 2016
Berries are associated with health, and some of them have even been dubbed “superfoods”. According to a recent study, they might even be beneficial for our health in ways previously unexplored: scientists in the US and the UK have...
January 1, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the announcement made by the Scottish Government of an action plan worth £235 million to protect 10,000 properties from flooding in Scotland. However, Dr Marc Stutter, research leader...
January 1, 2016
Scientists in India and the UK are joining forces to help solve urgent food security issues in the Asian country by establishing a virtual centre that will investigate how to reduce the use of fertilisers and engineer nitrogen fixation - an...
January 1, 2016
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are asking residents of communities in Aberdeenshire to contribute their records and photographs of the River Dee as part of the iDee project, to help measure parameters such as water levels,...
January 1, 2016
Dr Jenni Stockan from the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences Group, James Hutton Institute, will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled “Dispelling the myths: a new look at wood ants”. It will be held at the...
January 1, 2016
The croplands around Scotland’s coasts are an ancient form of managed land. Hunting communities occupied the area after the last ice retreated. Farmers arrived 5000-6000 years ago, bringing their crop seed with them. For thousands of years...
January 1, 2016
A new study from researchers at the James Hutton Institute, the University of Aberdeen, the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and the Alpen-Adria University in Vienna shows that the UK’s food self-sufficiency has decreased...
December 12, 2015
Farming papers are a key source of information for farmers interested in novel technology such as renewable energy, social scientists at the James Hutton Institute have found. Melf-Hinrich Ehlers, applied economist at the Institute’s...
December 12, 2015
Back in September, the Natural Capital Initiative – a leading UK partnership including the James Hutton Institute that brings together scientists, policymakers, business, industry and others to discuss how to safeguard important ecosystems...
December 12, 2015
Farming systems across Scotland, the UK and Europe can vary markedly from place to place. A range of factors can influence what types of production are practiced in any one place. However, climate and soil type are especially important in...
December 12, 2015
The Aberdeen-based Slopefield Allotment Association have achieved the top award of 'Outstanding' once again in the It's Your Neighbourhood 2015 assessment. This is the third year in a row that the Association has been awarded an '...
December 12, 2015
As Scotland’s Year of Innovation approaches, scientists at the James Hutton Institute have demonstrated that they have plenty to shout about on the innovation front, and not just in 2016. This week the Institute has reached the €8...
December 12, 2015

Staff and Students (Research Page)

Staff For students, follow the link here: Students
December 12, 2015
Will intensification continue to degrade soils and even start to drive down output? Is our food supply now too vulnerable to external influence – disruption by global terrorism, variation in world cereal harvests, future phosphate wars and...
December 12, 2015
Dr Matt Aitkenhead, Information and Computational Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
Professor Lorna Dawson, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
Blair McKenzie, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
Willie Towers, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences; Dr Katrin Prager, Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
Professor Philip J. White, Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
Dr Andrew Nolan, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute, and Bill Rayner, Forest Research, Forestry Commission
December 12, 2015
Dr A.G. Bengough, James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee
December 12, 2015
Dr Kenneth Loades, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute; Dr Gráinne El Mountassir, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde
December 12, 2015
Dr Alison Bennett, Dr Tim Daniell, Dr Timothy George, Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute The “green revolution” led to an increase in crop yield at least three times greater than the previous century, and this increase...
December 12, 2015
Dr Rupert Hough, Information and Computational Sciences, James Hutton Institute; Jon Stubberfield, Ph.D. student Soils are one of the most complex and dynamic natural systems studied by scientists. Although usually out of sight, everything in...
December 12, 2015
Dr Matt Aitkenhead, Information and Computational Sciences; Dr Helaina Black, Ecological Sciences; and Willie Towers, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, James Hutton Institute
December 12, 2015
The Natural Capital Initiative Dialogue on Natural Capital Monitoring will be held at Charles Darwin House in Central London (view directions and map) on 8th January 2016 from 8:30 to 10:30 am.
December 12, 2015
As part of the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation International Programme, which promotes Scotland’s response to key global water challenges, The Scottish Government and The Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) have announced the...
November 11, 2015
Two UK research institutes have announced a Centre-Centre research collaboration on food security and agriculture with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The memorandum of agreement involve the UK’s Centre for Ecology &...
November 11, 2015
Dr Lionel Dupuy, of the James Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences group in Dundee, has been shortlisted for a Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Award in the Innovation category. These awards are presented to recognise excellence in...
November 11, 2015
At a ceremony held at the Crieff Hydro on 20 November, the James Hutton Institute presented the Perthshire Chamber Business Star Award for Excellence in Food and Drink to Robert Corrigan of Mr C’s Hand-Crafted Pies, a small firm based at...
November 11, 2015
The Cairngorms Peatland Restoration project has won the Nature of Scotland 2015 Innovation Award, sponsored by the James Hutton Institute, for its efforts in restoring peatlands that provide homes to a variety of plants and animals, reduce...
November 11, 2015
The winners of the Nature of Scotland 2015 awards - organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to recognise the very best efforts made for the benefit of nature conservation in Scotland - will be announced tomorrow (19th...
November 11, 2015
Helen Rowe from the Aberdeenshire Council and Butterfly Conservation will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled "Priority species of butterflies and moths in NE Scotland". It will be held at the James Hutton...
November 11, 2015
A large number of residents of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire are being sent a questionnaire about their lifestyles as part of a research project that aims to find out more about the economic, social, individual and environmental benefits of...
November 11, 2015
October 10, 2015
Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are a significant threat to the UK fresh and processing potato markets, with an annual estimated cost of £50 million to the potato industry. A new study by UK scientists has brought us one step closer towards...
October 10, 2015
In collaboration with Police Scotland detectives, Professor Lorna Dawson and her team from the James Hutton Institute has helped narrow down the number of possible locations where the remains of schoolgirl Moira Anderson, missing since 1957,...
October 10, 2015
The science of the James Hutton Institute continues to attract the interest of the media. This time, Dr Julie Graham and Professor Derek Stewart were featured in the latest season of BBC programme Harvest, in which they discussed research on...
October 10, 2015
James Hutton Institute scientists have achieved an unusual feat: they have harvested a full batch of hops in Dundee. Some of this has been shared with St Andrews Brewing Company, which has produced an experimental wet (green) hop beer.
October 10, 2015

Outreach (Research Page)

October 10, 2015

Our Science (Research Page)

The Ecological Sciences department operate across scales and studies ecology at the resolution of populations, communities, ecosystems and their associated processes and functions. Increasingly we also explore how ecology and people interact, how...
October 10, 2015

Research Facilities (Research Page)

September 9, 2015
As part of activities planned to mark the International Year of Soils, the James Hutton Institute and the National Library of Scotland have teamed up to offer access to the Institute’s historical one inch to 1 mile (1:63,360) Soil Survey of...
September 9, 2015
Many types of community activity in Scotland, such as the development of community gardens, housing projects, and renewable energy initiatives, require access to land. However, the transfer of land rights and responsibilities from landowners to...
September 9, 2015
In a collaboration with the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS), scientists at the James Hutton Institute are investigating the basis of the peppery flavour of the seaweed pepper dulse (Osmundea pinnatifida). The unique flavour of this...
September 9, 2015
Protein dense yard-long beans offer an affordable source of vitamins, particularly in South Asia where the crops thrive. However, the bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata, threatens the production of these vitamin-rich legumes, with potential...
September 9, 2015
A delegation of the Sub Union of Seed Industrialists and Producers of Turkey (TSUAB) visited the James Hutton Institute and its commercial subsidiary James Hutton Limited. TSUAB is a professional organisation whose purpose is to represent and...
September 9, 2015
On Monday 7th September, the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2015 will celebrate the best and the most innovative and inspiring food and drink businesses across the UK supply chain, with the James Hutton Institute sponsoring the Environmental...
September 9, 2015
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are working with Orkney-based winemakers and the Agronomy Institute of the University of the Highlands and Islands in Orkney to identify fruit that can be used to make unique wines in the northern islands...
August 8, 2015
The James Hutton Institute will host this one-day seminar on constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. The morning session will consist of a series of short talks on various aspects of constructed wetlands including overall effectiveness,...
August 8, 2015
Register now for the opening of Soil, the Earth's Tender Skin Exhibition at Summerhall to mark the UN International Year of Soil and to celebrate the health and diversity of Scotland's soils today and in the future.
August 8, 2015
Following the announcement that Professor Iain Gordon will leave the James Hutton Institute in September, it has been announced that Professor Colin Campbell, Director of Science Excellence, is to take over as interim Chief Executive after the...
August 8, 2015
How can people in rural areas thrive during times of rapid, transformational change? How can rural Europe cope with the many pressures arising from globalisation, migration, deregulation and the effects of neoliberal policies? Over 400 social...
August 8, 2015
Following the announcement made by the Scottish Government about a ban on growing genetically modified crops in Scotland, researchers at the James Hutton Institute have said at this year’s Potatoes in Practice event that biotechnology...
August 8, 2015
Reflections of James Hutton Institute scientists on the concept of soil, tools for digital soil monitoring and the implications of soil for policymaking, forensic science, engineering, health and nutrition, have been featured in the latest issue...
August 8, 2015
A Macaulay Development Trust funded PhD student, based between the James Hutton Institute and Cranfield University, is seeking information from individuals and organisations about their utilisation of soils data, in a drive to improve decision-...
July 7, 2015
A James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee scientist has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant to undertake research on the fundamental mechanisms that underpin the inheritance of genetic characteristics...
July 7, 2015
The Natural Capital Initiative, a partnership between the Society of Biology, British Ecological Society, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the James Hutton Institute, has launched the ‘Valuing our Life Support Systems...
July 7, 2015
Our research continues to attract the interest of the media, as scientists from the James Hutton Institute have participated in TV programmes broadcast by BBC Four and Channel 4 to discuss soil forensics and the health benefits of soft fruit.
June 6, 2015
Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensics at the James Hutton Institute, will take part in the Royal Society panel event Forensic femme fatales, which is being held at the Society on Saturday 4 July 2015 at 3.30pm as part of the Society'...
June 6, 2015
Cereals in Practice, the annual showcase of variety trials and research organised by the James Hutton Institute and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), is again taking place on 2 July 2015. The event offers a range of advice and information for...
June 6, 2015
The James Hutton Institute has welcomed the announcement made by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss that Defra is to release its data reserves to create opportunities for people in the UK making their living from food, farming and the...
June 6, 2015
British berry lovers could get their favourite fruits all year round thanks to three new pioneering UK government funded research projects set to revolutionise Scottish berry production, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said at the Royal...
June 6, 2015
Members of the public are being asked to help researchers pinpoint just how far a species that wound up in the UK unintentionally has travelled across the country. The New Zealand Flatworm arrived on British soil over half a century ago but...
June 6, 2015
Almost a quarter of a million pounds of funding has been awarded to five feasibility projects across Scotland, including the James Hutton Institute's Hartwood Research Farm in Lanarkshire, to investigate how thermal energy in the ground...
June 6, 2015
Although frequently out of sight, everything in our lives is underpinned by soil — our roads, our homes, the food we eat, and the water we drink. At the Royal Highland Show (18-21 June 2015), and as part of the International Year of Soil...
June 6, 2015
Do you have what it takes to run a barley farm? Can you make the right decisions? No need to buy land or change careers – just pick up your smartphone and have a go.
June 6, 2015
Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute since 2010, is to leave his post in September to become Deputy Vice Chancellor at James Cook University in Australia.
May 5, 2015
Fancy a great day out in Dundee? Do you want to learn where your food comes from? Then don’t miss Open Farm Sunday on 7 June, 10am to 4pm, when the James Hutton Institute will open its site in Invergowrie to visitors of all ages.
May 5, 2015
How can soil solve a murder? How did tartan feature in the first ever colour photograph? Does the 5:2 diet work? These are some of the questions that will be explored at the University of Aberdeen’s May Festival in 2015. The Festival...
May 5, 2015
Do you know just how important plant roots are? Everybody knows they provide plants with the nutrients they need to produce the food we eat, but they also have a few surprising uses you might not have heard about.
May 5, 2015
Diana H Wall, University Distinguished Professor and Director, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University, delivered the 38th T.B. Macaulay lecture which was held for the second time at the Royal Society of Edinburgh...
May 5, 2015
In times of changing political conditions and increasing pressure from markets and citizens, innovation is more important than ever for farmers throughout Europe. This is precisely the focus of a group of social scientists who have for the past...
May 5, 2015
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to once again be inviting visitors to join them at their marquee during the Royal Highland Show where we will be showcasing the contribution our science and research makes to the continuing success of...
May 5, 2015
Whether you have green fingers or not, every breath you take, every meal you eat owes a debt to plants. From one little seed, planted into soil, many green lives can arise - from small herbs up to big trees, or from ornamental flowers to...
May 5, 2015
The search for Scotland’s leading lights of conservation has begun with entries now open for the RSPB’s prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards, with the James Hutton Institute sponsoring the Innovation category. The annual...
April 4, 2015
Top-level academics from the University of Lomé in Togo and the Togolese Ambassador to the UK visited the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee site this week as part of a four day visit which also included Abertay University.
April 4, 2015
Prestigious scientific publication Nature has published a profile of Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of Soil Forensics at the James Hutton Institute. The story, titled Forensic science: The soil sleuth, describes Professor Dawson’s journey...
April 4, 2015
April 4, 2015
The Director of Research Impact of the James Hutton Institute, Professor Bob Ferrier, is pleased to announce that James Hutton Limited, the new wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute, has begun trading. The new company brings together the...
April 4, 2015
The Loch Ness Brewery has teamed up with soft fruit experts from the James Hutton Institute and a Fife berry farmer to create a new blackberry beer. Tapping into the growing niche market not just for craft beers but also for fruited brews, the...
April 4, 2015
The potential of ecosystem services-based approaches for sustainable water resource management has been highlighted in a new book co-edited by researchers from the James Hutton Institute and UNESCO. The book is published by Cambridge University...
March 3, 2015
A study carried out over a 10-year period by ecologists at the James Hutton Institute and the universities of Hull and Aberdeen has shown that grazing a mixture of sheep and cattle, at low intensity, is the best approach for maintaining...
March 3, 2015
In order to ensure food security for its sizeable population, China needs to find ways of overcoming pressing environmental challenges and developing a science to policy interface. That was the key message of the China-UK Summit for Environmental...
March 3, 2015
Organisations from all across the UK are coming together to discuss ways of working together to achieve better outcomes when it comes to land and natural resource challenges, through a workshop organised by the James Hutton Institute with support...
March 3, 2015
Rajendra Singh, the ‘Waterman of India’, has been named the 2015 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for his innovative river restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and...
March 3, 2015
The Scottish Government has unveiled today the 2015 edition of its Rural Scotland Key Facts publication, which includes a reference to a report on Socio-Economic Performance (SEP) authored by two researchers from the Social, Economic and...
March 3, 2015
Land use and ecological surveys are urgently required to assess the ecology of pollinating insects within and around agricultural systems in India. That is one of the aims of the UK-Indian Initiative in Agroecology, whose first meeting at the...
March 3, 2015
As east-central Scotland's Local Coastal Partnership, the Tay Estuary Forum puts together a conference each year to reflect current issues within the coastal and marine environments at both a regional and national scale, with a Tay...
March 3, 2015
Eleven early stage researchers employed on the EU-Marie Curie funded Initial Training Network attended a 5-day workshop at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee as part of the Native Seed Science, Technology and Conservation (NASSTEC) initiative,...
March 3, 2015
CREW, Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters, has today (12 March 2015) published a report commissioned by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), on the successful delivery of an innovative pilot project to improve surface...
March 3, 2015
Dr Jack A Gilbert, leader of the Hospital Microbiome Project, Earth Microbiome Project, Home Microbiome Project, and co-founder of American Gut will be visiting Dundee to deliver the 2015 CLS/Hutton Distinguished Lecture on Tuesday 21 April...
March 3, 2015
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to support the forthcoming Festival of Ideas, organised by the RSA Fellows' Media, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage (MCICH) Network. The event will take place at St Stephen Centre,...
March 3, 2015
Dundee will once again celebrate the achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) when the 2015 Women in Science Festival takes place from 7th-28th March. A total of 45 family events, exhibitions, film screenings,...
March 3, 2015
This seminar by Professor Gabriele Bammer will discuss our ability to contribute effectively to the resolution of complex real-world problems, and will propose the development of a new science discipline around integration and implementation....
March 3, 2015
A James Hutton Institute scientist has been awarded a highly prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant to undertake research on a new generation of artificial soils; it is hoped that this would allow researchers to better...
March 3, 2015
Professor Liz Baggs (Head of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen) will give an overview of what we now know about how the contributions of biological and chemical processes to nitrous oxide emission have evolved over time. Abstract
February 2, 2015
The soil around roots of plants such as barley – one of our most important crops - is a battleground where only certain bacteria can survive, suggests evidence gathered by an international team including a scientist based at the James...
February 2, 2015
We all think we have some idea of what ‘natural’ is, whether it’s the green meadows we pass by on the train or the fresh and colourful vegetables we pick out in the market. However, our countryside and the food we eat are the...
February 2, 2015
This video created by the James Hutton Institute helps to explain Scenario Planning for Environmental Management. It has been produced as part of the EU funded project COMET-LA (COmmunity-based Management of EnvironmenTal challenges in Latin...
February 2, 2015
Plant diseases cost the world enough food to feed at least half a billion people, equivalent to 100 times the population of Scotland, every year. The interaction between plants, microbes and insects is a key battleground in the global fight for...
February 2, 2015
As the world’s fourth most important cereal crop and the UK’s second largest, grown on about half of Scotland’s arable land, barley is sure to get the attention of researchers, growers and industry. This time it also caught the...
February 2, 2015
Global wheat production can be expected to fall by 6% for each degree centigrade of temperature increase together with increased variability of yield across regions and seasons; that is the main finding of an international consortium of...
February 2, 2015
Representatives from our commercial subsidiary Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) have again attended Fruit Logistica, the world’s biggest fresh produce event, in Berlin, Germany. This year MRS was part of the UK Agricultural and...
February 2, 2015
An image taken by Dr Isabelle Colas, plant molecular geneticist at the Cell and Molecular Sciences Group of the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, has snapped one of the top prizes at a competition organised by the University of Dundee to mark the...
January 1, 2015
The James Hutton Institute has joined forces with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) to begin a three-year study to trial different methods of assessing mountain hare populations in upland areas of...
January 1, 2015
SOCiT soil carbon app
January 1, 2015

Books and Book Chapters (Research Page)

Water Ecosystem Services - A Global Perspective
January 1, 2015

Reports (Research Page)

The reports described on this page are either hosted on external websites, or are available for direct download (files are in pdf format).
January 1, 2015

Workshops (Research Page)

Scotland’s peat bogs - rural community perceptions on Lewis (PDF File: 5,798KB)
January 1, 2015
Senior soil ecologist Dr Helaina Black has been appointed to the leadership of the Ecological Sciences group at the James Hutton Institute, following the retirement of Dr Pete Goddard.
January 1, 2015
With 2014 reported as the warmest year since records began, continuing a strong trend in recent years, we ignore the implications for agriculture in the UK in the medium to long term at our peril. The issue is not just the rising average...
December 12, 2014
Increasingly unpredictable global weather, changing consumer perceptions and an ageing workforce make sustainability a core concern for the agricultural industry. A new book co-edited by a James Hutton Institute social scientist aims to improve...
December 12, 2014
The Scottish Food Security Alliance-Crops (SFSA-C), a collaborative venture between the University of Aberdeen, the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee, has been awarded prestigious funding to research the global links between...
December 12, 2014
Schoolchildren and university students joined forces with soil scientists in Aberdeen to plant 15 trees and mark the launch of the International Year of Soils (IYS) 2015 and World Soil Day. The trees were planted at schools across the Aberdeen...
December 12, 2014
The value of community-owned renewables to local economies was the focus of a presentation made by Professor Deb Roberts from the James Hutton Institute at Community Energy Scotland’s 2014 conference, which was opened by Fergus Ewing,...
November 11, 2014
Researchers from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia (AIS) visited the James Hutton Institute as part of the CropSustaIn project, which looks into alternatives for sustainable crop production in Slovenia in the face of global change. The...
November 11, 2014
Dr Nigel Kerby MBE, Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services (MRS), a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute, has won the Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange Award in the Interface Excellence Awards 2014, which...
November 11, 2014

Soils Maps of Scotland (Research Page)

To celebrate World Soils Day on the 5th December and the start of the International Year of Soils, we have made available for download scanned copies of the original seven 1:250,000 scale soil maps of Scotland and the accompanying handbooks. The...
November 11, 2014
With over 350 guests from around Perthshire in attendance, including the newly installed Deputy First Minister of Scotland John Swinney MSP, the James Hutton Institute presented the Excellence in Food and Drink award to Inveralmond Brewery during...
November 11, 2014
Conservation heroes from across the country were honoured last night at the third annual RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards, where Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, presented the Innovation Award to the Native...
November 11, 2014
The James Hutton Institute will be holding Open Farm Sunday on 7 June 2015, 10 am to 4 pm, Dundee site. Find us at Directions to the Dundee site. An emphasis this year will be on soil as part of the International Year of the Soil.
November 11, 2014
Six reports looking at the trial reintroduction of beavers at Knapdale in Argyll have been published today (Thursday 20 November) by Scottish Natural Heritage, including a report by the James Hutton Institute.
November 11, 2014
The UK Soils Observatory (UKSO), an initiative supported by the James Hutton Institute and other leading soil research institutions to provide a point of access to UK soils data and underpinning research, has been awarded the Excellence with...
November 11, 2014
After 23 years’ service with the company, Dr Nigel Kerby MBE, managing director of Mylnefield Research Services Ltd (MRS), a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute, is to step down from his position on 6 April 2015.
November 11, 2014
A young horticultural researcher who has implemented changes to fruit growing practices which are already bringing financial benefits as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, has been awarded the Business Leader of Tomorrow prize at this year...
November 11, 2014
Businesses that ignore nature could have a false impression of their viability and are missing out on long term business productivity, ecologists and economists have said at the Natural Capital Initiative summit – Valuing our Life Support...
October 10, 2014
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute and Kenyan institutions have successfully introduced popular UK potato cultivar Mayan Gold in Kenya, in an effort to boost food security and strengthen potato production systems in the East African...
October 10, 2014
Group walks in nature are associated with greater mental wellbeing as well as lower depression and stress, an article co-authored by a James Hutton Institute researcher in Aberdeen has concluded.
October 10, 2014
National Soil Inventory for Scotland
October 10, 2014
Introduction to Soils Exploring Scotland's Soils
October 10, 2014
National Soils Database
October 10, 2014
Soils & Sustainable production
October 10, 2014
Soil and Virus Research
October 10, 2014
Scotland's soil resources
October 10, 2014
Soil and water security
October 10, 2014
Learn more about soils & climate change
October 10, 2014
The James Hutton Institute is organising this conference which is a component of the European project E-CLIC. Delegates from all over the UK will gather to discuss the challenges posed by the European Landscape Convention (ELC) in relation to...
October 10, 2014
The Dundee Afternoon Lectures present "Fungi: Scotland's forgotten kingdom" at 14:15 on the 15 October 2014 at in the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, University of Dundee. Admission cost: £2 You will be...
September 9, 2014
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have endorsed and repeated the view of this week’s high-profile Development Dialogues conference in New York that work to ‘climate-proof’ agriculture lies at the core of sustainable...
September 9, 2014
A young scientist has got his career off to a flying start by having his work from a summer project published in renowned journal LWT - Food Science and Technology. Connor Powell, from Breadalbane Academy in Perth, was supervised by Dr Gordon...
September 9, 2014
International agricultural journalists had a unique opportunity to see environmental science in action at the James Hutton Institute farm at Glensaugh, as part of the activities organised during the International Federation of Agricultural...
September 9, 2014
What are the challenges faced by policy developers in Scotland, at a time of increasing calls on decision makers to base their conclusions more firmly on the underlying science and avoid inefficient use of resources? These issues, and many others...
September 9, 2014
Crofting projects on the Isle of Lewis have the opportunity to benefit from a share of £5,000 distributed annually by the Lewis Endowment Fund. The fund, managed by the James Hutton Institute, is open to applications from projects that...
September 9, 2014
After winning at the UK’s largest online science engagement event, a researcher from the James Hutton Institute has embarked on a mission to inspire the next generation of scientists, becoming at the same time an ambassador for women in...
September 9, 2014
Professor William J. Sutherland, Miriam Rothschild Professor of Conservation Biology, University of Cambridge, will deliver the 37th T.B. Macaulay lecture which will be held for the first time at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
August 8, 2014
Professor David Miller, who led Green Health on behalf of the James Hutton Institute, outlines the main findings of the project. The aim of the Green Health project was to explore the relationship between green space and human health using a range...
August 8, 2014
Publications and Knowledge Exchange Project outputs include a number of papers in scientific journals, conferences, and events for stakeholders. Examples of such outputs follow:
August 8, 2014
James Hutton Institute
August 8, 2014
The Green Health Consultative Group ran for the period of the project. Over this time, members provided advice and guidance on specific topics including at the outset definitions and terminology relating to green space, upcoming policy and...
August 8, 2014
The James Hutton Institute is once again supporting the Dundee Flower and Food Festival and will have a display and talks in the new Food Discovery Marquee. Our display will be looking at the past, present and future of plant and agricultural...
August 8, 2014
Below are a few examples of Gillian's models as used in VLT events:
August 8, 2014
A scientist from the James Hutton Institute has been named the best young mycologist in Europe and joined an elite group of only six researchers around the world to be awarded a similar accolade for their continent. Dr Alison Bennett, a...
July 7, 2014
The Mozambique Minister of State Administration, Her Excellency Carmelita Rita Namashulua, learned about the research conducted at the James Hutton Institute during a visit to our Aberdeen site yesterday.
July 7, 2014
A young horticultural scientist who has implemented changes to growing practices, which are already bringing financial benefits as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, has been nominated for the prestigious Business Leader of Tomorrow Awards...
July 7, 2014
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) has published a chromosome-based draft sequence of the bread wheat genome in the international journal Science. This genetic blueprint provides new insights into the structure,...
July 7, 2014
Newly published research into soil microbes shows how, eventually, farmers might reduce greenhouse gas production through the way they manage their soils. The work, by an EU wide consortium including researchers from the James Hutton Institute,...
July 7, 2014
Monitoring of Scotland’s wildlife in some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the country has been transformed thanks to a new ‘smart camera’ developed by experts at the James Hutton Institute and the University of...
July 7, 2014
The Scottish Food Security Alliance-Crops (SFSAC), a partnership formed by the James Hutton Institute, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee, has welcomed the publication of the second report on food security by the Environment...
July 7, 2014
Mr John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, visited yesterday the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie to learn about ongoing world leading scientific research in crops and climate change, as well as its commercial impact in local communities and...
June 6, 2014
Two researchers based at the James Hutton Institute have been recognised for their contribution to plant science. Professor Philip J. White has been listed by Thomson Reuters as one of 176 Highly Cited Researchers in Plant and Animal Science over...
June 6, 2014
Pressures for change in coastal areas creates a demand for raising the awareness of public and professional audiences of potential impacts on the environment and communities, Visualizations help to communicate the nature of changes which might be...
June 6, 2014
The future of Scotland’s national drink is being boosted by scientists at the James Hutton Institute. Their work across many fronts aims to ensure the sustainability and continued success of Scotch whisky, one of the world’s best-...
June 6, 2014
On the whole, Scotland’s environment is of good quality and there have been many significant improvements in recent years. However, the 2014 State of the Environment Report clearly shows that some habitats and species are under threat, and...
June 6, 2014
The James Hutton Institute will once again be inviting visitors to join them at their marquee during the Royal Highland Show where we will be showcasing the contribution our science and research makes to the continuing success of the Scotch...
June 6, 2014
The Institute and LEAF held a Technical Day for farmers on 3 June at Balruddery Farm near Dundee. Here we report on the day's events - the demonstrations, the talks, the discussions.
May 5, 2014
A young scientist whose research focusses on pathogens in the environment has been awarded the prestigious Peter Massalski Prize for meritorious research. Dr Fiona Brennan, research scientist with the Ecological Sciences group at the James Hutton...
May 5, 2014
Residents in Aberdeenshire will have the opportunity to see what the future might hold when the Landscapes of the Future event is held in Aboyne. The James Hutton Institute are inviting locals to visit their Virtual Landscape Theatre during a...
May 5, 2014
A new EU training-partnership including the James Hutton Institute aims to promote wild plant conservation underpinned by the use of native plant seeds. The programme will train a new generation of higher level researchers, improve the...
May 5, 2014
Farmers could improve the efficiency of phosphorus in crop production by coupling plants with complementary traits, which would allow them to harness the ‘phosphorus bank’ already present in soils.
April 4, 2014
Research by the James Hutton Institute and the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) relating to the role of ecosystem services in meeting Scotland’s Hydro Nation Challenge has been featured in a new book edited by Arup Group, a...
April 4, 2014
Professor Ian Lamont Boyd, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will present this year's Scottish Research Institutes' Annual Lecture. The Science for Life Lecture will be given at the...
April 4, 2014
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are asking keen nature spotters for their help in finding the native blaeberry while they are out and about in the Scottish hills and countryside this summer. With sales of blueberries in the UK reaching...
April 4, 2014
The James Hutton Institute, in partnership with Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), are proud to announce that the European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) have chosen Aberdeen as the host city for their 2015 congress.
April 4, 2014
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and leading commercial breeding companies are working to improve the quality of winter barley for malting purposes, in a bid to address the concerns of maltsters, brewers and distillers about the long-...
April 4, 2014
Plant Power Day is a free drop-in event for visitors of all ages who will have the opportunity to meet scientists from the University of Dundee Division of Plant Sciences and the James Hutton Institute and learn about the fascinating world of...
April 4, 2014
The James Hutton Institute is to create one new commercial subsidiary which will incorporate the activities of its current commercial subsidiaries, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd (MRS) and Macaulay Scientific Consulting Ltd (MSC). The move is...
April 4, 2014
The Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services Ltd (MRS), Dr Nigel Kerby, has been named the Tayside Region Director of the Year 2013 by the Institute of Directors. He received the accolade at a glittering awards ceremony and dinner in...
April 4, 2014
   
April 4, 2014
The James Hutton Institute is one of the first organisations of its kind to have been awarded Athena SWAN Charter status. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths...
March 3, 2014
GM crops have attracted much publicity over the years; a lot of it negative. Explore the science behind the headlines and find out what place GM has in modern agriculture with Professor Howard Davies of the James Hutton Institute in this free...
March 3, 2014
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and partner organisations are working to understand how seed potato becomes infected with Pectobacterium atrosepticum, the pathogen that causes blackleg; a disease that has been one of the most...
March 3, 2014
The James Hutton Institute was not open for Open Farm Sunday on 8 June 2014. This year we held a LEAF Technical Day for Farmers on Tuesday 3 June. See the exhibits at Farmers' Technical Day.
March 3, 2014
Policy makers across Europe will get a helping hand to identify ways to reach farmers with new information and rethink advisory services, thanks to a project which is mapping the many different information sources available to farmers.
March 3, 2014
Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission and one of the most influential women in science, will take part in Dundee’s 2014 Women in Science Festival this weekend to discuss her career and the challenges she...
March 3, 2014

SciMart (Event)

A farmers market with a scientific twist, SciMart brings together food producers, researchers and chefs to reveal the fascinating science behind some of our favourite foodstuffs. It takes place at Summerhall arts venue in Edinburgh.
February 2, 2014
Do your own experiments to see what you could add to soil to help plants grow better, and learn about pH – with spectacular results. Join scientists from Scotland’s leading land use and crop research institute, the James Hutton...
February 2, 2014
Work to help monitor the impact of climate change on the Arctic reindeer population by Professor Steve Albon of the James Hutton Institute is featured in the March issue of the Smithsonian magazine. The article "As the Planet Warms, What...
February 2, 2014
The relationship between the Soil and Scottish landscape, is at times simple, in others exceedingly complex.
February 2, 2014
Introduction
February 2, 2014
A case study on sustainable agriculture and the environment at the James Hutton Institute
January 1, 2014
Back-to-nature flood schemes which use the land’s natural defences to slow river flow and reduce flooding could be a cost-effective way of tackling one of the biggest problems facing the UK today. The schemes – which include...
January 1, 2014
Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) Ltd is delighted to announce that, following an inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year, its facilities have been approved for the analysis of lipids, including omega-3 fatty acids and...
January 1, 2014
Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission, will deliver the 2014 Distinguished Women Scientists Seminar as part of the Women in Science Festival.
January 1, 2014

New Zealand flatworm (Research Page)

January 1, 2014
You might not think of microbes when you consider biodiversity, but it turns out that even a moderate loss of less than 5% of soil microbes may compromise some key ecosystem functions and could lead to lower degradation of toxins in the...
January 1, 2014
Dr Nigel Kerby, Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services (MRS), a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute, has been recognised in the 2014 New Year Honours list. Dr Kerby has been honoured with an MBE for services to...
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014

LandSFACTS (Research Page)

LANDscape Scale Functional Allocation of Crops Temporally and Spatially
January 1, 2014
Environmental, economic and social issues associated with agriculture are often fundamental for rural prosperity and sustainability, with consequent implications for any debate about future land use. A key to supporting the planning of change is...
January 1, 2014
Stakeholder engagement events relating to theme topics Health and wellbeing conferences and workshops Date Title Theme role Venue 25 November 2013
January 1, 2014
Soil mapping
December 12, 2013

Information notes (Research Page)

Green space Services: Community Engagement Case Study (GreenHealth project, Note No. 5)
December 12, 2013
Northern reindeer populations are experiencing rapid and significant climate change; the success of future Christmases may depend on how well reindeer can adapt and Santa may need to look for alternative power sources for his sleigh.
December 12, 2013

SEGS Archived projects (Research Page)

Below is a list of archived projects the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group have been involved with.
December 12, 2013

SEGS Active projects (Research Page)

The Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group are involved in a wide range of research projects.
December 12, 2013
Project aim The aim of this project was to review the economics of sustainable land management measures in catchments where abstraction for the provision of drinking water takes place. Funding was provided by CREW (Scotland’s Centre of...
December 12, 2013
The aim of this project was to support Scottish Water pilot a restoration park to reclaim waste water and market it to non-household water users. Funding was provided by CREW (Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters) and the project ran...
December 12, 2013
A new website, which brings together information on one of Scotland’s most valuable natural assets, has gone live. The website is the result of a collaboration between the Scottish Government, the James Hutton Institute, SEPA, SNH, the...
December 12, 2013
Project aim The overall goal of the project ‘Hunting for Sustainability’ was to assess the social, cultural, economic and ecological functions and impacts of hunting across a broad range of contexts in Europe and Africa. Funding was...
December 12, 2013
The aim of this project was to develop technology to maximise personal and social interaction between older adults with chronic pain and their health and social care providers. Funding was provided by the Research Councils UK (RCUK) and it...
December 12, 2013
Project aim The aim of this project was to explore the relationship between green space and human health using a range of methods and disciplinary approaches at different scales. It was funded by the Scottish Government and ran from 2009-2012.
December 12, 2013
The aim of this project was to assist in producing a Detailed River Network as required by the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Funding was provided by CREW (Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters) and it ran from October 2012-...
December 12, 2013
Project aim This aim of this project was to aid consideration of thinking of policy and practice linked to well-being and water. Funding was provided by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) and it ran from 2011-2012.
December 12, 2013
Project aims This project looks at the management of conflicts:
December 12, 2013
Project aim Orkney Community Empowerment Project (OrkCEmP) is part of the RESAS Theme 8 (Work Package 8.2) work on 'Governance and Decision-making for community empowerment in rural communities', running from 2011-2016. It aims to...
December 12, 2013

Foodscapes (Project)

Project aim Foodscapes aims to explore how arts intervention and cultural engagement can help address social and economic exclusion, food poverty, and sustainability. It has been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council/Economic and...
December 12, 2013
The overall goal of FarmPath is to identify and assess future transition pathways towards regional sustainability of agriculture in Europe, and the social and technological innovation needs required to initiate and progress along these pathways....
December 12, 2013
Despite the emerging emphasis on the roles that (local) communities can play in public service reform and attempts to ‘empower’ communities (or allow them to ‘empower themselves’) in rural areas, the tensions or synergies...
December 12, 2013
Project aim  This project aims to understand the relationship between gender, wellbeing and greenspace. It is funded through the Scottish Government and runs from 2011 until 2016. It is part of the RESAS Theme 8 WP8.3 work on ‘...
December 12, 2013
In times of changing conditions, with strong pressure from markets and citizens to adjust and innovate, farmers need timely access to knowledge and information, to training and education, and to facilitating and supporting services. Hence the...
November 11, 2013

Agroecology publications (Research Page)

Below is a sample of recent peer reviewed publications by staff working in the Agroecology Group. 
November 11, 2013

Agroecology funding (Research Page)

November 11, 2013

Students and teaching (Research Page)

November 11, 2013
We are mainly biologists, quantitative ecologists and mathematical modellers, whose scales of interest range from landscape to community and organism. Recent changes
November 11, 2013
November 11, 2013
Complete the septic tank online survey now A PhD study on septic tank systems in Scotland is being conducted to understand the role of septic tanks in household sewage treatment, the treatment processes and the effectiveness of soakaway...
November 11, 2013
The links between green space and physical health as well as mental wellbeing and the beneficial effects of soft fruit for a healthy lifestyle will be showcased to politicians and policy makers at the annual Science and the Parliament event...
November 11, 2013
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute will join others from across Scotland at this annual event for MSPs and policy makers at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. It is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and this year has the theme of...
November 11, 2013
As part of the Aberdeen Satrosphere Science Centre’s “Green Energy Discovery Weekend” the James Hutton Institute’s Virtual Landscape Theatre will be showing a 3D model of the proposed offshore wind farm in Aberdeen Bay....
November 11, 2013
The technical expertise and business direction of Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) Ltd, a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute, has been recognised at the first Courier Business Awards. The Awards took place at the Fairmont St...
October 10, 2013
Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, has been appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment as one of the Trustees to the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) for the next...
October 10, 2013
Drama, history and botany are cleverly interwoven in Poisoned Arrows, a new ambitious production to mark the bicentenary of famous Scots explorer David Livingstone. On Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 October 2013, the Royal Botanic Garden...
October 10, 2013
Members of the public are being invited to join a mission to find John Kirk, Livingstone’s botanist, and meet African storytellers along the way sharing tales of useful plants, wild drugs, food and magic. Find out what has happened in the...
October 10, 2013
Dr Jenni Stockan of the James Hutton Institute will give this talk "Tales from the riverbank; riparian beetles and land use change" to the Aberdeen Entomological Club at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton Institute.
October 10, 2013
Alistair Watson of the British Arachnological Society will speak on "Protection of invertebrates – the law, protected sites and protective policies" in this Aberdeen Entomological Club talk at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton...
October 10, 2013
"Ticks – issues and changes" will be the topic for this Aberdeen Entomological Club talk at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton Institute to be given by Dr Lucy Gilbert of the James Hutton Institute.
October 10, 2013
Nick Picozzi will give this Aberdeen Entomological Club talk at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton Institute. It will have the title "Breeding behaviour of the Ghost Moth and Gold Swift".
October 10, 2013
Expertise and capability at the James Hutton institute, Dundee
October 10, 2013
This film created by the James Hutton Institute and GRID-Arendal helps to explain Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes. It has been produced as part of the James Hutton Institute - UNESCO Global Dialogue on Water Ecosystem Services. [...
October 10, 2013
Gabor Pozsgai of the James Hutton Institute, will give this Aberdeen Entomological Club talk at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton Institute.
October 10, 2013

Bee Watch (Event)

Dr Rene Van der Wal of the University of Aberdeen, will give this Aberdeen Entomological Club talk at the Aberdeen site of the James Hutton Institute.
October 10, 2013
Professor Richard J. Morris, Institute Strategic Programme Leader at the John Innes Centre will give this seminar entitled "Cracking the symbiosis code" at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. It will be broadcast live to the Aberdeen...
October 10, 2013
The Ecosystem Approach and Regional Land Use Pilot workshop was held to consider what an Ecosystem Approach can do for land use in Aberdeenshire. It took place at the Banchory Lodge Hotel on 28 June 2013.
September 9, 2013
The 17th annual conference of Grampian Information with the theme 'The digital tomorrow…today' will be hosted at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen on 7 November 2013. The speakers will address different aspects of the...
September 9, 2013
The RSA Fellows' Media, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage (MCICH) Network, in conjunction with the James Hutton Institute, is hosting a free public debate on land use which will focus on the issues of the 'squeezed middle'.
September 9, 2013
Getting the best from our land means using it responsibly, but how can Scotland’s land best contribute to sustainable economic growth? What can be done to cope with growing and conflicting demands on land? What options are available to land...
September 9, 2013
Professor Alan Gange, Royal Holloway University of London will give a seminar entitled "Endophytes: a hidden aspect of insect-plant interactions" at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. It will be broadcast live to the Aberdeen site.
September 9, 2013
Dr John Holland, Head of Farmland Ecology at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) will give this seminar "Utilising and improving the potential of agri-environment schemes for wildlife and ecosystem services" at the James...
September 9, 2013
In certain criminal cases, soil, mud or vegetation on, or from, a vehicle or foot, clothing or implements may provide the clue that could point to a particular search location.
September 9, 2013
Women living in deprived areas with little green space are more likely to be stressed than men living in the same circumstances, according to research published this week in an international journal on public health. While contact with green...
September 9, 2013
A dilapidated shed that was earmarked for demolition has been given a new lease of life at the centre of a vibrant community initiative in a once-neglected plot of land thanks to some enterprising allotment holders in Aberdeen. The shed, which...
September 9, 2013
As the popularity of blueberries with shoppers continues to grow apace, researchers at the James Hutton Institute are working with growers and processors on projects designed to secure the place of UK-grown berries in the market.
September 9, 2013
Glensaugh Research Station now a holiday apartment which is available throughout the year. An integral part of Glensaugh Lodge, the apartment is run by Sue Barrie, wife of Donald, manager at Glensaugh. The apartment sleeps five in three...
September 9, 2013
Scotland’s links with Malawi, first forged almost 200 years ago by the explorer and missionary David Livingstone, are being kept alive through environmental projects involving Scottish researchers and communities in the African country....
August 8, 2013
Mountain biking in Scotland is the first volume in a series of discussion papers on Understanding and resolving land use conflicts.
August 8, 2013
The intensification of agriculture could have an impact on threatened populations of farmland birds due to its effect on one of their most important food sources, the sawfly. In the first genetic study of farmland sawflies in the UK, scientists...
August 8, 2013
The hot climates of Egypt, Israel and Southern Europe may have seemed like a world away to UK potato growers gathered at Balruddery Farm near Dundee on 8 August for the country’s largest potato field event but the experiences of growers...
August 8, 2013
The James Hutton Institute has secured more than £850,000 in new funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council who, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, has awarded £3 million to four projects to...
August 8, 2013
Practical ways in which the potato genome is being used to help breeders and the industry improve the potato crop will be showcased at Potatoes in Practice this Thursday (8 August), the UK’s biggest potato field event.
August 8, 2013
The James Hutton Institute and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology will work more closely to add value to their current research activity, increase collective competitiveness and enhance opportunities for income generation. The two leading...
August 8, 2013
The James Hutton Institute will be joined by colleagues from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Wellcome Trust as they invite members of the public to 'Know your soil'  at the annual Dundee Flower and Food Festival. In a change...
July 7, 2013
This research project aimed to identify, analyse and assess the contribution of multi-stakeholder partnerships to the sustainable management of rural landscapes and to the well-being of communities in three European countries. In addition, the...
July 7, 2013
The President of Mozambique Armando Emilio Guebuza was welcomed to the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen today by Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive for a short tour. The President and a high level delegation including several of his...
July 7, 2013
As part of the RGBE event "Moving forward from ash dieback" the James Hutton Institute's Virtual Landscape Theatre will enable visitors to explore a virtual ash woodland to explore the effects ash dieback could have and the impact...
July 7, 2013
The Nature of Scotland Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature conservation. This is the second year of the awards which are supported by the James Hutton Institute.
July 7, 2013
July 7, 2013
As the heatwave continues across much of the United Kingdom the James Hutton Institute has recorded the hottest day since it started keeping records in 1954.
July 7, 2013
Fruit breeders at the James Hutton Institute have revealed they are making progress towards the development of disease-resistant raspberry varieties for both the fresh and processing markets. They were sharing their latest research with soft...
June 6, 2013
Scientists from the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute have unveiled a series of living displays explaining the role of genes and genetics at the University's Botanic Garden.
June 6, 2013
Two universities and a major research provider are joining forces to position Scotland at the forefront of the global challenge to feed, sustainably, a growing world population. The vision is to build an alliance of excellence which brings...
June 6, 2013

Scottish Rivers Handbook (Research Page)

The Scottish Rivers Handbook has been produced by the James Hutton Institute and the University of Stirling for CREW, the Centre of Expertise for Waters. It is an accessible, fully illustrated 36 page book providing an overview of the physical...
June 6, 2013
A free, new soil carbon app has been launched to provide farmers with a quick, cost-effective source of information about the organic matter content of their soil. The app, known as SOCiT (Soil Organic Carbon information), provides information...
June 6, 2013
Are our strategies for the conservation of nature right to cope with future human demands and pressures? That is the question addressed in the 36th T.B. Macaulay Lecture, which will be given by Professor Bill Adams, Moran Professor of...
June 6, 2013

People (Research Page)

Valuation and governance of natural capital Looking at natural capital inherently requires looking at the relationships between humans and their natural environment. The concept of ‘capital’ implies that components of the natural...
June 6, 2013

Land (Research Page)

Landscapes and regions are where many natural processes and human activities interact and potentially conflict in different ways, giving complex challenges for sustainable management. Managing landscapes has to satisfy multiple purposes and has...
June 6, 2013

Soil Capital (Research Page)

Soils underpin a multitude of ecosystem goods and services that are not only vital to peoples’ livelihoods and Society in general, but also to Earth’s regulating systems.
June 6, 2013
This Sunday, 9 June 2013, the James Hutton Institute will open its doors to the public for Open Farm Sunday, the celebration of farming and nature that gives everyone the opportunity to discover the story behind their food. At the Invergowrie...
June 6, 2013
As the world’s population increases, we need to grow more food. A traditional way to grow more food from the same land is to add fertilisers, which are rich in phosphorus. Despite this, there are still low-levels of phosphorus in many soils...
May 5, 2013
Aberdeenshire farmers are rapidly taking up production of renewable energy as an opportunity for securing reliable income sources despite high investment costs, a study from the James Hutton Institute has found.
May 5, 2013
To celebrate international Fascination of Plants Day on 18 May 2013, the Botanic Garden, the James Hutton Institute and the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee be hosting a fun-filled day of activities, focusing on the amazing...
May 5, 2013
The European Network on Soil Awareness held its third meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen from 19-20 September 2013.
May 5, 2013
Species such as the bee orchid and mountain ringlet butterfly are moving north as temperatures rise because of climate change. The spread of some species is one of the things highlighted in a new report published by the Living With Environmental...
May 5, 2013
The Dee Catchment Partnership is launching a campaign called ‘Think T.A.N.K.’ to assist north-east residents to avoid the problems that can be caused by septic tanks. Members of the Dee Catchment Partnership will be at Banchory...
May 5, 2013
Visitors to the 2013 Royal Highland Show will have the opportunity to meet scientists from the James Hutton Institute and learn more about our research on soils and sustainability during the annual agricultural showcase from 20-23 June at Ingliston...
April 4, 2013
Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) and spraing production
April 4, 2013
The James Hutton Institute site at Invergowrie, near Dundee took part in Open Farm Sunday on 9 June 2013. 
April 4, 2013
A collaboration of plant scientists from across the UK has shown a grass hybrid species could help reduce the impact of flooding. The BBSRC-funded scientists, from Rothamsted Research, the James Hutton Institute, Institute of Biological,...
April 4, 2013
The latest report by researchers from the James Hutton Institute examining the effect of beavers on woodland has been published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) as part of the ongoing monitoring work on the Scottish Beaver Trial.
April 4, 2013
The core dataset of soil, plant and invertebrate data and samples that are collected every year from the CSC are archived and databased for future research projects on long-term trends and to allow exploration of links between different...
April 4, 2013
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee will invite visitors to find out more about fascinating world of plants at Dundee Botanic Garden for Fascination of Plants Day on 18 May. The free event which runs from 10am...
April 4, 2013
The James Hutton Institute is taking part in a €9 million EU-funded research project launched today to improve the safety of European drinking water. Led by the University of East Anglia (UEA), the five-year Aquavalens project will develop and...
April 4, 2013
Agricultural, horticultural and environmental technology company Mylnefield Research Services Ltd (MRS), specialist soil fertility and crop nutrition company PenDragon Proactive Nutrition and biological crop inputs company Agrinos AS, have joined...
March 3, 2013

Weather (Page)

The James Hutton Institute operates a range of different meteorological sites throughout Scotland which record weather data all year round.
March 3, 2013
The James Hutton Institute is hosting this free drop-in workshop to help visitors to discover more about DNA and how we can use it in many different ways. Follow the DNA Discovery Trail, test plant DNA and discover how information found in plant...
March 3, 2013
Peatlands provide vital services to society, such as helping to mitigate climate change, providing clean water and supporting biodiversity and tourism, but are currently under threat. Peatlands are an ideal case study for valuing nature...
March 3, 2013
This project was conducted as part of the Valuing Nature Network funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It brought together a team of soil scientists, ecologists, modellers and economists. The aim was to develop an...
March 3, 2013
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes are attracting increasing interest as policy mechanisms to improve conservation and achieve sustainable development outcomes. At the James Hutton Institute we are investigating the use of PES in...
March 3, 2013
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to deliver good ecological status (GES) for Europe’s waters. It includes economic principles, such as the use of cost-effectiveness analysis of measures to achieve GES and of derogation on grounds of...
March 3, 2013
Co-construction of a common understanding between scientist, practitioners, land managers and other stakeholders brings knowledge from different disciplines and stakeholders that is crucial for a better understanding of the linkages between...
March 3, 2013
Leading crop geneticist Professor Robbie Waugh of the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 47 new UK...
March 3, 2013
Kerry Mackay of the University of Aberdeen will deliver this seminar "Woody debris and freshwater invertebrates" as part of the Aberdeen Entomological Club series. It will focus on the effects of woody debris in streams. Some river...
March 3, 2013

Chen Wang (Member of Staff)

Dr Chen Wang is a Landscape and Visualisation Scientist, who joined the Information and Computational Sciences group at the James Hutton Institute in 2010.
March 3, 2013
Guidance and advice for improving implementation and increasing uptake of measures to improve water quality in Scotland The Scotland River Basin Management Plan (2010) requires implementation of programmes of measures to support achievement of...
March 3, 2013
There is only a short time left to nominate your nature conservation champion for the 2013 Nature of Scotland Awards which close for entries on 15 March 2013. The James Hutton Institute is once again supporting the awards. The Nature of...
March 3, 2013
The James Hutton Institute and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University have jointly announced a new Centre-Centre research collaboration...
February 2, 2013
The James Hutton Institute will be opening its doors to the public for LEAF Open Farm Sunday on 9 June. There will be a range of activities on offer throughout the day including:
February 2, 2013
Experts from the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) have produced a summary note "The Value of Scotland’s Water Resources" in advance of the latest debate on the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The...
February 2, 2013
Marking the end of a year characterised by intense flooding and weather challenges to our everyday life, the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) has announced the winner of its Water Works photographic competition. The competition called for...
February 2, 2013
Dr Marc Stutter, Managing Catchments and Coasts Theme Leader tells us why water is so important and how the research being conducted at the James Hutton Institute will help secure its future for all of us. [jwplayer|config=jhi|file=http://www....
February 2, 2013
Professor Steve Albon
February 2, 2013
Professor Louise Heathwaite will deliver the James Hutton Institute Distinguished Women Scientists Seminar as part of the Women in Science Festival 2013. The seminar entitled "Towards a sustainable use of natural resources" will take...
February 2, 2013
Nick Littlewood works as an Ecologist at the James Hutton Institute where his entomological interest focuses especially on Lepidoptera and Hemiptera. He has coordinated a number of research projects on upland grassland, heather moor and blanket...
January 1, 2013
Soil forensics expert Professor Lorna Dawson of the James Hutton Institute is joining a weekend of special events at the Satrosphere in Aberdeen to celebrate the science used to help solve crimes. She will be speaking at 11am on Sunday 10 February...
January 1, 2013
Fourteen-year-old Ruairidh Campbell of Edinburgh is the December and final monthly winner of our Water Works schools photographic competition. His photograph "Morning over Loch Earn" was chosen by the judges who said: "Excellent...
January 1, 2013
The main aim of our research is to understand the basis to the molecular interactions that underpin bacteria-plant interactions. The work focuses on enteric human pathogenic bacteria, which pose a food safety threat to consumers through...
January 1, 2013
"Glasgow's buzzing" is the title of this seminar which will be given by Suzanne Bairner of Buglife. The seminar has been organised by Aberdeen Entomological Club and will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.
January 1, 2013
James Hutton Institute meteorological observers Dr Roy Neilson and Alison Dobson look back at the weather statistics gathered at the Dundee site to reveal just how wet 2012 was.
January 1, 2013
Mike Davidson of the British Arachnological Society, will deliver this seminar entitled "Spiders as indicators of environmental change". It has been organised by Aberdeen Entomological Club and will be held at the James Hutton Institute...
December 12, 2012
A pathogen responsible for a plant disease that has caused food shortages and major loss of life in the past, such as the Irish Potato Famine of 1845, still poses a significant threat to global food security. This is underlined in a new study from...
December 12, 2012
In modern times, red and white have become universal symbols of Father Christmas and the festive season. There is even a widespread belief that an advertising campaign by an ubiquitous soft drinks company was the defining point where Christmas...
December 12, 2012
Thirteen-year-old Paul Pomeroy of Dundee is the November winner of our Water Works schools photographic competition.
December 12, 2012
Scottish ingenuity and expertise is a valuable global commodity that will help establish Scotland as a leading player in the international water sector, Nicola Sturgeon said today. The Deputy First Minister Scotland also confirmed that Edinburgh...
November 11, 2012
Dr Mark Young, formerly University of Aberdeen, will deliver this Aberdeen Entomological Club seminar entitled "Conservation of rare Burnet moths (Zygaenidae) in Scotland". It will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.
November 11, 2012
Best agricultural practices and awareness of food security related issues in Africa will be promoted at a seminar about disease-free planting materials of major staple crops organised by the James Hutton Institute in Lusaka, Zambia. The seminar is...
November 11, 2012
Dr John F. Clark from the University of St Andrews will give this seminar "Bugs and the Victorians" at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen. It has been organised by Aberdeen Entomological Club. In the wake of the Scientific Revolution...
November 11, 2012
Fifteen-year-old Aaron Hawthorne of Motherwell is the October winner of our Water Works schools photographic competition. Describing his photograph "The Fall of Water" Aaron said: "Not enough of us appreciate how important water is...
November 11, 2012
Have you ever stopped to think how often you eat what might be considered 'mutant' food? Even if you have, do you care? Should you? Dr Eleanor Gilroy will tackle the sometimes controversial issue of genetically modified (GM) food at the...
October 10, 2012
Background The Lewis Endowment Fund (LEF) was set up in 1930 as part of an original benefaction from Dr T.B. Macaulay of the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Whilst the major purpose of this benefaction was to create the Macaulay Land Use...
October 10, 2012
How can Scotland’s land best contribute to sustainable economic growth? What can be done to cope with growing and conflicting demands on the use of land? What options are available to land managers for ensuring food security and other...
October 10, 2012
Two of the UK’s leading environmental research organisations have announced they are to sign a partnership agreement aimed at strengthening research into woodlands and integrated land-use.
October 10, 2012
As the world population continues to grow past the seven billion mark more and more crops are needed to feed us, our livestock and grow biofuels. This increasing global food demand creates significant environmental and health concerns, driving up...
October 10, 2012
The RSA Fellows' Media, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage (MCICH) Network is hosting a Land Use Debate in conjunction with the James Hutton Institute on Monday 19 November 2012 in Melrose Parish Church Hall. Each of the speakers will...
October 10, 2012
Before our Feeding the 7 billion event we asked people on the streets of Dundee for their thoughts on food security. See what they had to say in our film here. [jwplayer|config=jhi|file=http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Video/...
October 10, 2012
The James Hutton Institute has joined a leading UK partnership that brings together scientists, policymakers, business, industry and others to discuss how to safeguard important ecosystems.
October 10, 2012
The September winner of our monthly schools photographic competition Water Works is 15-year-old Julian Scott from Dundee. Describing his photograph entitled "Expect the unexpected" Julian said: "We were having a walk along the...
October 10, 2012
A new beer brewed using Scottish field-grown blueberries and oats has been launched at the 19th Annual Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship at Carrbridge in the Highlands. The “Brochan” beer has been produced as a result...
October 10, 2012
September 9, 2012
A new transparent soil is helping to reveal the dark, underground secrets of plant roots. A team of researchers from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Abertay Dundee have developed a see-through soil which will enable them to study...
September 9, 2012
Achieving increased levels of productivity using existing land whilst causing minimal environmental damage is one of the greatest challenges of modern agriculture. Sustainable intensification, as the concept is known, will be the subject of the...
September 9, 2012
The August winner of our monthly schools photographic competition Water Works is 15-year-old Julian Scott from Dundee. Describing his photograph entitled "Puddle" Julian said: "It was bucketing it down, but that didn't stop us...
September 9, 2012
The successful partnership between the James Hutton Institute and the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee will be celebrated at a 10 year anniversary symposium, Pathways to Impact in Plant Science on 6 September.
August 8, 2012
The north east of Scotland may be famous for whisky and castles but a new website aims to highlight another reason that tourists should visit the region – the rich and diverse wildlife.
August 8, 2012
Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) Ltd, the technology and innovation company that translates scientific research at the James Hutton Institute into commercial products and services has announced record trading results. In the financial year 2011/...
August 8, 2012

Fungi foray (Event)

James Hutton Institute fungi expert Dr Andy Taylor will join members of Grampian Fungus Group to lead a foray through the woods of Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen searching for the fruits of autumn. Anyone can join this free event which starts at 10....
August 8, 2012
James Hutton Institute Chief Executive Professor Iain Gordon is one of eight new members appointed to the Darwin Expert Committee (DEC) by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman. The DEC, currently chaired by Professor David Macdonald from the...
August 8, 2012
An Aberdeen-based scientist with a mission to spread the word about wood ants has won a prestigious new award from the Royal Entomological Society. Jenni Stockan of the James Hutton Institute's Ecological Sciences group won the inaugural Marsh...
August 8, 2012
The most contentious land use zone in Scotland - the “squeezed middle” strip between prime arable land and high nature conservation mountains – is the subject of a major debate being held by the James Hutton Institute in Edinburgh...
August 8, 2012
Come along to meet us and find out more about the James Hutton Institute's work at the annual Dundee Flower and Food Festival in the city's Camperdown Park. You will find us in the food marquee and this year we have two hands on activities...
August 8, 2012
Two scientists at the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee's Division of Plant Sciences have been awarded highly prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants.
August 8, 2012
Keen astronomers from Dundee Astronomical Society (DAS) will gather at their observatory at the Living Field Garden in the ground of the James Hutton Institute this weekend hoping to see the annual display of Perseid meteors. The annual display of...
August 8, 2012
The weather station, or meteorological site, at the James Hutton Institute site in Dundee has been recording the weather since 1954. Every day a variety of observations such as air and soil temperatures, wind, sunshine and rainfall data, cloud...
August 8, 2012
The July winner of our monthly schools photographic competition Water Works is 15-year-old Aaron Hawthorne from Motherwell. Describing his entry of a swan and cygnets on Lanark Loch, Aaron said: "A lot of us don't realise how important...
July 7, 2012
The first Hutton Debate, the Squeezed Middle focussed on the land zones which exist between quality farmland and high mountains, in which it is especially challenging to plan the right blend of land uses to best meet policy objectives and...
July 7, 2012
A team, led by scientists from the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute, have become the first researchers in the world to apply a new technique to sequence the genes of the plant Arabidopsis. The technique has the potential to...
July 7, 2012
Background and rationale
July 7, 2012
Key pathogens in the environment interests Environmental survival of pathogens (for example, Clostridia in anaerobic digestate, Mycobacteria on farms) Antimicrobial resistance - the environment/inputs to the environment as a vector and...
July 7, 2012
James Hutton Institute soil forensics expert Professor Lorna Dawson will be taking part in Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival held in Harrogate. Yorkshire. Lorna will participate in ‘Creative Thursday’, where she will be one of the...
July 7, 2012
Following last year’s successful mapping of the potato genome, and the recent World Potato Congress in Edinburgh - Professor Robbie Waugh talks to Andrew Cassell about the huge advances made in crop research as a result of breakthroughs in...
July 7, 2012
Increased cereal yields for UK farmers and lower greenhouse gas emissions are the key objectives of a ground breaking new £644,000 research project commissioned by the HGCA and led by international soil and crop research pioneers, the James...
July 7, 2012
The June winner of our monthly schools photographic competition Water Works is 15-year-old Julian Scott from Dundee. Describing his entry Julian said: "It was a rainy day and I was out in the garden taking some pictures. After taking this one...
July 7, 2012
The James Hutton Institute has announced a major boost to its experimental farming centre at Balruddery near the village of Fowlis in Angus. Balruddery Farm, including the Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Cropping, will be enlarged by...
June 6, 2012
The UK Wood Ants Steering Group is inviting the public to attend a wood ant walk on Saturday 30 June or Sunday 1 July as part of the National Insect Week celebrations. The wood ant walks will take place at Mar Lodge, Bennachie, Glenmore Forest and...
June 6, 2012
Global experts on one of the last frontiers of agricultural and ecological sciences will congregate in Dundee this week (26-29 June) to discuss how their research could lead to sustainable increases in crop productivity and more effective use of...
June 6, 2012
Background and objectives
June 6, 2012
Too many cooks may spoil the broth but when top chefs share their public kitchen with Scotland’s leading nutrition and food production scientists at this year’s Royal Highland Show (RHS), audiences can look forward to added...
June 6, 2012
The distinguished eighteenth century gentleman striding purposefully round this year’s Royal Highland Show at Ingliston will be none other than James Hutton, the Scottish Enlightenment scientist who influenced Charles Darwin in his theory of...
June 6, 2012

Mountain hares (Research Page)

The Scottish mountain hare, Lepus timidus scoticus, is a subspecies of the mountain hare Lepus timidus and is native to the Highlands of Scotland. Although widespread throughout Scotland, they are typically more numerous in central and eastern...
June 6, 2012
Two young scientists working at the James Hutton Institute have been jointly awarded the Peter Massalski Prize for meritorious research. This year’s award panel were so impressed by the calibre of nominations that they decided to jointly...
June 6, 2012
The May winner of our monthly schools photographic competition Water Works is Amy Coates-Walker, who is in primary 6 at Airyhall Primary, Aberdeen. Describing her entry Amy said: "This is a photo I took in Australia of a family of Ducks, they...
May 5, 2012
Professor Paul Fowler, University of Aberdeen and Dr Stewart Rhind, James Hutton Institute will deliver this free public Cafe Scientifique talk on 'Sex and sewage'.
May 5, 2012
Insect ecologist Jenni Stockan, of the James Hutton Institute, will join Aberdeen City Council's Countryside Rangers for a public talk and walk all about bumblebees, which are important pollinators for many plants including agricultural crops...
May 5, 2012
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are part of an international consortium which has sequenced the genomes of the domesticated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and its wild ancestor, Solanum pimpinellifolium. The achievement by the Tomato...
May 5, 2012
Edinburgh becomes the focus for one of the world’s most important food crops next week. The World Potato Congress comes to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from Sunday 27 May. It takes place every three years, and the 2012 event...
May 5, 2012
Scotland’s James Hutton Institute has been successful in bidding for a place in this year’s European Green Week event taking place in Brussels. This will be the 12th Green Week which is the biggest annual conference on European...
May 5, 2012
May 5, 2012
New research from the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with academics in Edinburgh, Aberdeen (James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen) and INRA (France) has shown that fertility in a subset of men could be threatened by...
May 5, 2012
Since the release of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ecosystems have become widely recognised as natural capital assets supporting and supplying services which are highly valuable to humans. There is a growing appreciation of the important...
May 5, 2012
Scotland has water resources of generally high quality and with adequate volume to meet current demands. However, these resources are not uniformly distributed and there are significant pressures on both quantity and quality in certain regions....
May 5, 2012
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are working on a number of ways to tighten nutrient cycles. This involves a combination of knowledge into how to reuse societies 'wastes' such as sewage effluent discharges as valuable nutrient...
May 5, 2012
The James Hutton Institute will have two displays at this year's Royal Highland Show; in the Children's Discovery Centre and for the very first time its own stand nearby in Avenue Q. We will be welcoming visitors to talk about the many...
May 5, 2012
Dundee’s position at the heart of the world blackcurrant industry will be cemented this week when the biggest ever blackcurrant conference is held in the city. The choice of Dundee as the venue for the International Blackcurrant Conference...
May 5, 2012
The James Hutton Institute will be inviting members of the public to find out more about how plants grow at the annual Gardening Scotland event in Edinburgh. With over 400 exhibitors it is the largest gardening show in Scotland with approximately...
May 5, 2012
A group of Fife primary pupils have been learning just how much water goes into producing their food as part of a project with the James Hutton Institute. Primary four pupils at Wormit Primary School have been working with Sarah Doherty, a Durham...
May 5, 2012
Green Week is the biggest annual conference on European environment policy. This year's theme is "Water" and the James Hutton Institute will be represented there for the very first time. Visit us at Stand No 9.
May 5, 2012
April's winner of the Water Works schools photograph competition is 16-year-old Aimee Holton of Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire. Her entry was "Droplets" about which she said: "You don't realise how precious water is until...
May 5, 2012
The Virtual Landscape Theatre (VLT) is a mobile curved screen projection facility, in which people can be 'immersed' in computer models of their environment to explore landscapes and seascapes of the past, present and future. This event...
April 4, 2012
The goal of the food security agenda is to provide the world's population with a sustainable and secure supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and high quality food. In this lecture, Professor Gordon will examine the considerable challenges...
April 4, 2012
Trees originating from 21 native pinewoods across Scotland are being used in a unique experiment at Inverewe Gardens in Wester Ross. The young pine trees have been grown at Inverewe from seeds collected from sites that are remnants of the ancient...
April 4, 2012

Policies (Page)

The James Hutton Institute has various policies in place which we adhere to when conducting our business.
April 4, 2012

Raspberry fruit quality (Research Page)

Identification of markers for quality traits in red raspberry There remains an un-met demand for UK grown soft fruit and great scope for increasing the number of consumers who purchase soft fruit in season (current estimates suggest 36% for...
April 4, 2012

Rubus breeding (Research Page)

Raspberry breeding at the Institute was established in the 1950s and has produced a range of commercially successful cultivars, from the initial 'Glen Clova' to the latest 'Glen Dee'.
April 4, 2012

Rubus (Research Page)

The genus Rubus contains over 700 species and is considered as one of the most diverse in the plant kingdom. Within the 12 subgenera are crop species that are important within the UK and worldwide, including red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and...
April 4, 2012
Soft fruit genetics research at the James Hutton Institute is focused on a number of key genera:
April 4, 2012
Thinking ‘green’ and being pro-environment does not necessarily reduce domestic energy usage. That is the finding of researchers from the James Hutton Institute who revealed income was the main driver behind domestic energy use: richer...
April 4, 2012
The winner of March's Water Works competition has been announced as eight-year-old John Smith from Orkney with his photograph 'Flood at the pumping station'. John explained: "My photo shows the local pumping station in the North...
April 4, 2012
Staff at the James Hutton Institute are celebrating the organisation’s first birthday. In a message of congratulations, Scotland’s First Minister, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, said in its short life, the James Hutton Institute had...
April 4, 2012
The beautiful spring weather enjoyed during March was officially the warmest and driest since records began in 1954 at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. The monthly mean air maximum temperature was 14 ºC which easily beats the previous...
March 3, 2012
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute, joined by distinguished colleagues from around the world, have called for a greater acknowledgement of the importance of soils in climate change mitigation, global food security and maintaining global...
March 3, 2012
March 3, 2012
The Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, Professor Iain Gordon, has called for greater support and investment in inter-disciplinary science to tackle rising extinction rates in the plant and animal world. Speaking at the Planet Under...
March 3, 2012
The Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, and several senior scientists on his team, are heading to London shortly to take part in the Planet Under Pressure conference which gets underway at the new International Convention Centre (ICC) at...
March 3, 2012
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have been working with Aberdeen primary school pupils and a storytelling organisation to produce a fact-based narrative of the role of water in Scotland’s history as part of a project in the Centre...
March 3, 2012
Bradshaw and Ramsay (2005) have recently reviewed the utilisation of the Commonwealth Potato Collection (CPC) in potato breeding at the Institute and its predecessor the Scottish Plant Breeding Station. Here we want to emphasise the use of the...
March 3, 2012
The increased emission of greenhouse gases during the 20th century is the only reasonable explanation for climate change, an audience at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee were told today (Monday 19 March). Professor Gabriele Hegerl, of the...
March 3, 2012
The Hutton Potato Team collaborates closely with breeding partners to improve genetic gains by leveraging the groundbreaking discovery of the S-locus inhibitor gene (Sli-gene) and the unparalleled capabilities of AI technologies, particularly...
March 3, 2012
Potato Genetics research at the Hutton utilises cutting-edge tools and methods to study the genes responsible for important traits relevant to the potato industry. We have developed diploid and tetraploid mapping populations alongside association...
March 3, 2012
Our research is designed to help protect the nation’s soil Scotland’s soils are the foundation of our primary production industries An agricultural output of £1.75 billion (2005) World records for cereal yields.
March 3, 2012
Soils are created by the weathering of rocks over hundreds to thousands of years. The speed and nature of soil formation is affected by various factors.
March 3, 2012
The National Soils Archive is held at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen. Our core activity is the long term storage and maintenance of this valuable resource and we are supported by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical...
March 3, 2012
Tim Flannery is one of Australia’s leading thinkers and writers. As a scientist, explorer and conservationist his achievements are many. Amongst them are the discovery of over 30 new species of mammal, being honoured Australian of the Year in...
March 3, 2012
Seven-year-old Louis Pasqualini of Ratho Primary School has been announced as the first monthly winner of the Water Works schools photography competition for his entry titled 'The Magic Water Fountain'. Describing his photograph of water...
March 3, 2012
Professor Iain Gordon, chief executive of the James Hutton Institute, and Professor George Salmond, board member of the James Hutton Institute and Professor of Molecular Microbiology at Cambridge University have been elected Fellows of The Royal...
March 3, 2012
The LTSE field site at Hartwood is a dedicated site and is fenced off to prevent disturbance by grazing livestock. The topsoil, typical of that found in the agricultural land in Scotland is a medium textured sandy clay loam consisting of 21% clay...
March 3, 2012
The experiment involves 24 grazing enclosures, measuring 3.3 ha each. There are four grazing treatments with six replicates of each. These are positioned in three blocks of two replicates each, located in different parts of the estate and...
March 3, 2012

EAWG Resources (Research Page)

Outputs and documents from meetings Please got to the meetings page to see the reports made from our EAWG meetings and the accompanying meeting documents.
March 3, 2012
Scotland's first festival of science and food is being held this Spring at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in partnership with The James Hutton Institute, Marine Scotland Science, The Moredun Institute, The Rowett Institute of Health &...
February 2, 2012

Soil diversity (Research Page)

The complexity of the soil system with many large gradients including nutrients and gases such as oxygen drive a massive diversity below ground. It has been estimated that there are over 40,000 different organisms contained within a gram of soil...
February 2, 2012
Soil plays a vital role in controlling the flow of water and chemicals between the atmosphere and the earth. As water passes through the soil it is filtered by plants, bacteria, fungi and soil particles, which remove various minerals and...
February 2, 2012

Soils and climate change (Research Page)

The climate is changing in response to the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While the burning of fossil fuels has made a major contribution to the levels of carbon dioxide, soils have been responsible for part...
February 2, 2012

Soils Database (Research Page)

What happens to the information recorded in the field by soil surveyors, and the results of all the analysis carried out on the samples they collect? Once it has been collated, it is stored securely so people from all over the world can use it as...
February 2, 2012

Soil science (Research Page)

We conduct a wide range of soil-related research. Read more on the following pages.
February 2, 2012

Meeting minutes (Research Page)

Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors of the James Hutton Institute can be found below.
February 2, 2012
A celebration of the achievements of women who work in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, will take place in Dundee from Thursday with the launch of the Women in Science festival. Exhibitions, film screenings, talks,...
February 2, 2012
A common weed found in arable field margins that survives despite farmers’ best efforts provides the artistic inspiration for a new exhibition opening in Dundee this weekend. Award-winning artist Jean Duncan used research work being carried...
February 2, 2012
E-SMART: Environmental Sensing for Monitoring and Advising in Real-Time
February 2, 2012
This is the fourth year of the Dundee Women in Science Festival which celebrates and encourages women in science, technology, engineering and maths in Dundee and across Tayside. The festival will feature over 20 events, talks, workshops, seminars...
February 2, 2012
An exhibition of paintings by Jean Duncan completed during her CECHR residency, with photographs by Martin Kirkbride and Tracey Dixon of the School of the Environment and posters from staff and students who have worked with Jean over the past 18...
February 2, 2012
Carplus is organising a conference on car clubs in small towns and rural communities to showcase recent developments in new independent community car clubs in Scotland. The conference will examine lessons from the Developing Car Clubs in Scotland...
February 2, 2012
It has often been said that the people make a holiday; with friendly well informed staff at hotels, airport and restaurants making a huge difference. In order to help better inform tourism staff about what the area has to offer a new scheme called...
February 2, 2012
Biofuels of the future, new approaches to tackling some of the problems created by climate change, and an examination of Scotland’s climate through early church records will be among the subjects discussed at the second annual symposium of...
January 1, 2012
This day is an opportunity to find out more about the work of the James Hutton Institute and hear about some of their current environmental and ecological research projects first-hand from staff conducting research. Details are given in the...
January 1, 2012
The first James Hutton Institute Open Day will be held at our Dundee site this summer when we look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to find out more about our work. There will be a wide range of exhibitions and hands-on activities to help...
January 1, 2012
A trickling burn, a flooded street, a horse’s trough or a grand Scottish loch – no matter what comes to mind when you think of water the Water Works competition wants your photographs. Water Works is a new competition for Scottish...
January 1, 2012
Measurement type Property of characteristic measured Chemical Total Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb Extractable Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb Mineral N Total N Organic C and N Biological
January 1, 2012
For further information about the project partners please contact:
January 1, 2012
The LTSE project was undertaken by ADAS, Rothamsted Research and the Water Research Centre (WRc) in England and Wales and, by the James Hutton Institute and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) (Auchincruive) in Scotland.  The project is...
January 1, 2012
An annual report on all Centre for Sustainable Cropping projects and activities is published in January for the previous calendar year (available on request).
January 1, 2012
To avoid duplication of effort or potential interference between projects, we have put in place the following procedure for new projects on the CSC. 1. Discuss your project requirements with the co-ordinator (Cathy Hawes).
January 1, 2012
Institute virologists link with China 
December 12, 2011
The James Hutton Institute is to take part in two new research projects announced today. The aim will be to make an important contribution to global efforts to breed improved cereal crops. The projects hope to shed further light on the genomes of...
December 12, 2011
Use the following links to navigate : reports relating to the project, scientific publications, PhD thesis, other reports relating to waste water sludge and external websites
December 12, 2011
December 12, 2011
Waste water sludge is a useful source of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter, and after further processing can be used as a liming material. However, there are limits to what can be applied. For example applications of waste water sludge...
December 12, 2011

Virus research (Research Page)

Viruses are ubiquitous microorganisms which are most often studied as pathogenic (disease-causing) entities. While this is the primary reason for the study of plant viruses in the agricultural environment, recent work has revealed that viruses...
November 11, 2011
In 1994, three research Institutes along with two private companies set up a number of field experiments at nine field sites across the UK (pdf file). The sites were chosen to reflect the different soil types found in agricultural and land uses...
November 11, 2011
Soils are very slow to develop and are generally considered to be a non-renewable resource. At the same time, we demand a great deal from our soil; we use it to grow crops, timber, grow grass to feed our cattle and sheep, we build our houses and...
November 11, 2011

Soil forensics (Research Page)

November 11, 2011

Contact (Page)

If you are interested in contributing to the Centre for Sustainable Cropping and would like to make use of this long-term resource, please contact Cathy Hawes in the first instance. For more information please follow the following links for:
November 11, 2011

News (Page)

Members of the team can access agendas and actions for Centre for Sustainable Cropping meetings here (from within The James Hutton Institute) or here (if accessing from outwith the Institute).
November 11, 2011
We face a huge challenge. More food, from less land, with fewer resources is essential right now and it will only get worse as the global population grows and finite resources like fuel and potash continue to diminish. Understanding soils and how...
November 11, 2011

Land capability (Research Page)

Soil is a fundamental part of land and is key in determining what activities can be undertaken and supported on different types of land; how capable is land is sustaining different farming systems, different woodland types, valued habitats, as a...
November 11, 2011
Agroecology Graham Begg: Landscape scale population dynamics of plant, arthropod and mammal taxa; patterns of habitat use and dispersal between them; spatial population dynamic models. Measurements: Plant, arthropod and mammal fitness, resource...
November 11, 2011

Soil as natural capital (Research Page)

Soil’s most widely recognised function is supporting plant growth, whether for crops, trees or native habitats. But, sitting as it does at the interface between the atmosphere, biosphere and underlying rocks, soil is being increasingly...
November 11, 2011
Soil temperature and moisture content are influenced by soil management and affect many system processes including microbial and invertebrate activity, nutrient and water uptake by plants and plant growth. These variables are measured in each...
November 11, 2011
All farm operations and inputs are recorded for each crop and treatment. Economic sustainability will be assessed through calculations of gross margins based on all input costs (seed, fertiliser, crop protection, tractor time and fuel use)....
November 11, 2011
The primary goal of sustainable arable management is to produce good quality food at high yields and with high long-term yield stability. To achieve this, the environment in which the crop is grown needs to be maintained rather than degraded by...
November 11, 2011
November 11, 2011

Soil (Page)

Soil Microbial Diversity
November 11, 2011

Insects (Page)

Pitfall Trapping
November 11, 2011
Perennial vegetation in the field margin is a major contributor to biodiversity in arable landscapes and performs a range of important functions including provision of resources for pollinators and natural enemies that forage within arable fields...
November 11, 2011

Weeds (Page)

Within-field Weeds Weeds are an essential component of arable biodiversity, respond rapidly to changes in management and influence many system processes including nutrient retention and cycling, pest and natural enemy population stability, and...
November 11, 2011

Datasets (Page)

The basic minimum dataset to be collected and archived from the Centre for Sustainable Cropping every year is listed below. This will form a long-term, spatially referenced dataset, collected according to standardised sampling protocols (...
November 11, 2011
In 2002 the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) made a resolution to propose 5 December as World Soil Day. This annual celebration of soil continues to be used as an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of soil for humans and...
November 11, 2011
Data from the published literature and existing field trials are used to select management options for inclusion in the sustainable cropping system. Each is chosen with a view to improving specific aspects of environmental and economic...
November 11, 2011

Root-soil interactions (Research Page)

This interdisciplinary research examines below ground interactions between plants and soil, focusing on root growth and the rhizosphere. Research includes root growth processes in relation to environmental stresses, nutrient and water capture by...
November 11, 2011
November 11, 2011

Improving the plant (Research Page)

Better use of water and nutrients, increased resistance to stresses and less wastage in production are major research challenges we address. A combination of genetics and agronomy provides an in-depth understanding of favourable plant traits and...
November 11, 2011
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute are helping find new ways of tackling crop pests and diseases without using conventional pesticides. They are contributing to the SCEPTRE project which aims to address key gaps in crop protection. SCEPTRE (...
November 11, 2011
Soil erosion and landslides are caused by weak soil, with significant impacts on the economy. It affects food production and can influence areas liable to flooding. Could we use green engineering techniques to improve soil stability? Listen to Dr Ken...
November 11, 2011

Agroecology (Research Page)

The Agroecology Group is focused on contributing to the understanding, development, and establishment of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. The Group combines excellent domain-based science with a holistic, transdisciplinary approach...
November 11, 2011
'Feeding the world - appliance of science or reliance on nature?' is the topic for Dr Tim George of The James Hutton Institute at this Cafe Science Extra event. Cafe Science Extra is held at Dundee Science Centre's Infusion Coffee Shop...
October 10, 2011
Soils represent one of the most complex and dynamic natural systems studied by scientists. Knowledge of their chemical, physical and biological properties is a prerequisite both for sustaining the productivity of the land, for example agriculture...
October 10, 2011
An alien invader which threatens the ecological balance of Scotland’s soils is being DNA profiled by scientists at The James Hutton Institute. Arthurdendyus triangulatus commonly known as the New Zealand flatworm is a predator of the...
September 9, 2011
An innovative new project at The James Hutton Institute could bring major benefits to Scotland’s fish and agriculture industries while improving the sustainability of UK farming.
September 9, 2011
The Information and Computational Sciences (ICS) department brings together an exceptional combination of scientific skills and expertise. This ranges from genome scale bioinformatics to the modeling of edaphic or climate information on a...
September 9, 2011

Science Departments (Research Page)

Our research is conducted in the following Science Departments.
September 9, 2011
Cell and Molecular Sciences (CMS) is based at the Dundee site and comprises more than 90 plant scientists with research specialisms in cell and molecular biology, genomics, genetics, pathology and physiology. Crop improvement A major research...
September 9, 2011
September 9, 2011
Professor Alison Hester, Safeguarding Natural Capital Theme Leader at The James Hutton Institute will deliver this seminar entitled 'Safeguarding Natural Capital: what are the big issues?'.
September 9, 2011
  Scientists from The James Hutton Institute have helped unravel the genome of a nematode that causes huge damage to the forestry industry and forest ecosystems in East Asia. The sequencing of the genome is the first step in developing new...
August 8, 2011
  Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change was welcomed to The James Hutton Institute’s Glensaugh Research Station today (Wednesday 31 August 2011) to find out more about issues affecting moorland areas. The...
August 8, 2011
If you know someone achieving great things in nature conservation there is still time to nominate them for the inaugural Nature of Scotland Awards. These new annual awards recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding...
August 8, 2011
The future of potato breeding and how the mapping of the potato genome will help growers is set to be the focus of discussion at Potatoes in Practice this Thursday. The event, Britain’s biggest field event for the potato industry, is...
August 8, 2011

Green Health (Project)

Contribution of green and open space in public health and wellbeing Partners Lead organisation: James Hutton Institute (Project Co-ordinator: David Miller) Research partners:
July 7, 2011
The science of soils will be investigated by the Beechgrove Garden tonight (Monday 1 August 2011). Many gardeners often wonder why their favourite plants don’t grow, or their garden looks bare despite watering and adding fertiliser....
July 7, 2011
Name: Regosol/Brown Calcareous Soil Age: Young by Scottish standards Address: Coastal locations Preferred soil functions: Often used for recreation (golf) in the east, but is the mainstay of many crofting communities in the west (...
July 7, 2011
Name: Brown earth Age: Up to 10000 years but in many areas it has been modified by management Address: Primarily East Scotland, some limited areas in West Highlands Preferred soil functions: Primarily used in arable and mixed...
July 7, 2011
Name: Peat Age: up to 7500 years old
July 7, 2011
Name: Humus-iron podzol Age: Up to 10000 years but in places modified from its original form Address: Eastern and Central Highlands, some in the eastern Southern Uplands Preferred soil functions: in its natural state, as part of a...
July 7, 2011
Name: Noncalcareous gley Age: Up to 10000 years Address: Primarily in west Central Scotland Preferred soil functions: sustaining improved pasture swards Height/Weight: Usually quite deep. Very dense (heavy) at depth Colour...
July 7, 2011
A professional competency scheme for practising soil scientists has been launched today (Thursday 21 July) which aims to improve the quality of professional soils advice. Working with Soil, devised by the Institute of Professional Soil...
July 7, 2011
An international team of scientists – led in the UK by researchers at The James Hutton Institute in Scotland – have succeeded in mapping the genome of the potato, the first major UK crop plant to be fully sequenced. UK partners...
July 7, 2011
A senior researcher from The James Hutton Institute has been appointed to the Commission on Rural Education it was announced today (7 July 2011). Professor Bill Slee, Head of the Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences...
July 7, 2011
A senior scientist from The James Hutton Institute is travelling to Ethiopia to assist with the current drought crisis. Catchment management specialist Dr Simon Langan is taking up a position at the International Water Management Institute in...
July 7, 2011
Congratulations to the winners of the free prize draw who cast their vote choosing their most important environmental challenge facing Scotland today. The winners are: Daye Tucker, Glasgow Anna Swanson, Caithness Benjamin Yule, Arbroath...
June 6, 2011
Staff at The James Hutton Institute have pedalled their way to first place in the Aberdeen Cycle Commuter Challenge 2011. The challenge took place during Team Green Britain Bike Week, the UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event...
June 6, 2011
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair is one of Scotland's biggest rural events. Visitors can enjoy the lively and friendly atmosphere, hunt for bargains in over 300 trade stands, learn more about their countryside, see...
June 6, 2011
June 6, 2011
Hundreds turned up at The James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie for this year’s LEAF Open Farm Sunday.  They were able to meet TV scientist Heather ‘The Weather’ Reid who was a special guest and who also performed to packed...
June 6, 2011
A rare species of mushroom discovered growing in Scotland by researchers at The James Hutton Institute has been chosen to feature in a nationwide competition to give it a name.
June 6, 2011
Two top scientists at The James Hutton Institute have been appointed to Visiting Professor positions at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Dr Lorna Dawson, Principal Soil Scientist and Head of Soil Forensics, and Dr Wolfram Meier-Augenstein...
June 6, 2011
Scotland excels in growing and breeding berries. Come and taste some berries and find out why berries are good for you at the Berry Festival. Discover what's new in the world of berries with some family-friendly interactive activities....
June 6, 2011
The true value of nature can be shown for the very first time thanks to groundbreaking research by hundreds of UK scientists including a team at The James Hutton Institute.
May 5, 2011
The E-coli outbreak in Germany linked to infected cucumbers, which has so far claimed 10 lives, could be an indication that fruit and vegetables are ingesting these bacteria as they grow, according to a Scottish scientist. Dr Nicola Holden of...
May 5, 2011
Scientists in Aberdeen have released pictures of volcanic glass particles which have fallen in the city. Likely to have come from Iceland, the images were taken using a scanning electron microscope which allows scientists to study both the...
May 5, 2011
The Commonwealth Potato Collection is the UK’s genebank of landrace and wild potatoes held in trust by the James Hutton Institute with the support of the Scottish Government. The collection is one of a network of international potato...
May 5, 2011
May 5, 2011
The Centre for Sustainable Cropping comprises a 42 hectare block of six fields in the south-east of Balruddery Farm. The effects of sustainable (S) versus conventional (C) cropping systems are tested using a split-field design over multiple six...
May 5, 2011
For all enquiries and for access to fields, data or archived material, please contact Dr Cathy Hawes The Centre for Sustainable Cropping is an experimental research platform at Balruddery Farm near Dundee, Scotland.  The farm platform...
May 5, 2011
Watch the interview with Professor Anne Glover, the EU Chief Scientific Adviser. [jwplayer|config=jhi|file=http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Video/AnneGlover_Interview.mp4|image=/sites/default/files/files/Video/screengrabs/...
May 5, 2011
Major support has been announced for a UK threatened species...the soft fruit breeder. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and Mylnefield Research Services Ltd a commercial affiliate of The James Hutton Institute – Scotland’s new...
May 5, 2011
A successful year for Mylnefield Research Services has meant a major boost for the Mylnefield Trust with the donation of £125,000 Gift Aid taking the trust’s reserves to over £1 million for the first time. The Mylnefield Trust...
May 5, 2011
TV’s newest detective DCI Vera Stanhope will solve her latest case thanks to a helping hand from an expert at The James Hutton Institute. Dr Lorna Dawson, Head of the Soil Forensics Group, was called in by producers of the ITV crime drama...
May 5, 2011

Metapro (Page)

Watch the film about the EU FP7 project Metapro which is investigating production of carotenoids in potato. [jwplayer|config=jhi|file=http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Video/metapro.mp4|image=/sites/default/files/files/Video/...
May 5, 2011
Mylnefield Research Services has appointed four new directors to its board strengthening the range of expertise and knowledge. The new directors are Ray Perman, Chairman of The James Hutton Institute, Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of...
May 5, 2011
Join Macaulay Scientific Consulting Limited at the All-Energy Exhibition & Conference - the UK's largest event devoted to all forms of clean and renewable energy. For more information, visit the All-Energy 2011 website.
May 5, 2011
The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity has the overall aim of bringing together scientists, practitioners and the public to discuss and advance our understanding of the issues surrounding the importance of biodiversity in the marine...
May 5, 2011
Scottish Biodiversity Week has been held annually since 2001. It originally started off as a local initiative in Fife in 2000 and has since grown to become a national fixture in the Scottish calendar.   Every year there is an...
May 5, 2011
Scotland’s leading environmental organisations are lending their backing as a North East Scotland biodiversity partnership finds a home with Scotland’s new research institute.
May 5, 2011
The hedge clippings and weeds from your garden could help put food on your table as farmers turn to municipal compost as the answer to increasing restrictions on non-renewable fertilisers. Demand for fertilisers from finite resources mean that...
April 4, 2011
IBES and ACES are delighted that Prof Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute will be giving a seminar on Friday 20th May at 1130 in the Zoology Lecture Theatre. Iain returned to Scotland to take up the post of Chief...
April 4, 2011
Links between Tayside’s internationally renowned Life Sciences research institutes and businesses across Scotland are being strengthened through a funding package of more than £1million.
April 4, 2011
Lichens are good indicators of air quality as many of them are sensitive to atmospheric pollution. Play the Colonise game to find out what influences lichen survival and assess air quality for yourself using lichens as your guide. With RBGE and...
April 4, 2011
Scientists from The James Hutton Institute will be taking part in Science Festival at the Botanics to help visitors learn more about the Science of Plant Smells.
April 4, 2011
The work of The James Hutton Institute’s groundbreaking Stable Isotopes laboratory has been highlighted in the well-known and influential Earth Magazine. Earth Blogger Carolyn Gramling was in Vienna, Austria, at the European Geophysical...
April 4, 2011
 
April 4, 2011
Publications in which the VLT is presented or discussed Wang, C., Miller, D., Brown, I. and Jiang, Y. 2016. Public Participation to Support Wind Energy Development: The Role of 3D GIS and Virtual Reality. In: Proceedings of 24th...
April 4, 2011
The Virtual Landscape Theatre has often featured in the media or referenced in papers, reports and social media:
April 4, 2011
The Virtual Landscape Theatre is operated by a team at the Aberdeen offices of the James Hutton Institute. They have been responsible for designing, developing and implementing the theatre, 3D models, and programmes of surveys and community and...
April 4, 2011
Meteorological data is captured  at the environmental  monitoring site at Sourhope.  This data is part of a long term monitoring study, Environmental Change Network (ECN), which aims to identify environmental changes and to...
April 4, 2011
Professor Peter Gregory has been appointed Chief Executive of East Malling Research (EMR) and will simultaneously take on the role of Professor of Global Food Security at the University of Reading. Until recently Peter Gregory was the Chief...
April 4, 2011
Scotland has a brand new research ‘super institute’ with the job of tackling some of the world’s most challenging problems including the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security. The James Hutton...
April 4, 2011
Staff of The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and Dundee have been celebrating the inauguration of the new ‘super-institute’.  Chairman Ray Perman and Chief Executive Professor Iain Gordon addressed staff meetings at both sites...
March 3, 2011
Balruddery Research Farm is an 170 ha arable farm located seven miles west of Dundee and between 70 and 124m above sea level on the lower slopes of the Sidlaw Hills. There are 23 fields varying in size from 2.0 ha to 11 ha. The soil is a sandy...
March 3, 2011
A key milestone on the road to the creation of The James Hutton Institute has taken place in Edinburgh. The Chairs of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute) have signed documents that will clear the...
March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
Vision To be at the forefront of innovative and transformative science for sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources that supports thriving communities.
March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
Glensaugh has been enjoying a period of calm as staff take holidays and livestock graze peacefully on the hill during this time of plenty. Recently we hosted a weekend visit from the British Driving Society who arrived at Glensaugh with horses...
March 3, 2011
The first of Glensaugh’s 2010 lamb crop were sold on 18 August and averaged £69 per head. The market remains strong. All lambs are now weaned on to silage aftermaths. For the first time we have retained 45 Texel cross ewe lambs as...
March 3, 2011
At Glensaugh we are continuing to sell finished lambs from grass, always reducing overall stocking density as we move towards autumn. Our suckled calves have been vaccinated to cover them against a broad range of respiratory diseases in...
March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
At Glensaugh the season’s livestock work is almost complete as we sell remaining lambs and calves and begin housing stock for the winter. The last of our spring born suckled calves will be sold at Forfar on Saturday. The one in the picture...
March 3, 2011
At Glensaugh we are hard at work on our Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)works. The concrete floor slab for the biomass boiler has been placed and the boiler and accumulation tank are now in-situ awaiting connection. Meanwhile we are...
March 3, 2011

Contact Us (Page)

Library address Library & Information Services The James Hutton Institute Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH Tel:  +44 (0)344 928 5428 library@hutton.ac.uk
March 3, 2011
Search the library catalogue (when offsite staff should use their allocated computer usernames to login or to view their loans) Aberdeen library extranet– with links and information to databases including GIS spatial data resources,...
March 3, 2011
Visitors are welcome to use the library by prior arrangement. Please see contact details for both the Aberdeen and Dundee libraries. Our collections exist on more than one site so please let us know in advance what you wish you consult when you...
March 3, 2011
Good water quality is essential for humans but also for the vitality of our rivers and lochs. Dr Kirsty Blackstock will discuss how we can link social, cultural and economic issues to catchment management. This event will be held as part of...
March 3, 2011
The James Hutton Institute will be taking part in the 2011 Gardening Scotland Event, where we will be displaying topical information on soil and crop research and informing our visitors all about The James Hutton Institute. Gardening Scotland...
March 3, 2011
The Climate Change Installation will be hosted by Glasgow Science Centre from 5 April 2011. Read more about the Climate Change Installation here.
March 3, 2011
Resources for Schools Barley and Me
March 3, 2011
A development and demonstration virtual reality theatre has been constructed to compliment the mobile Virtual Landscape Theatre. The dimensions and capabilities of the development theatre are the same as the VLT enabling the preparation and...
March 3, 2011
Screen: 5.5 m x 2.25 m, with a screen curvature of 160 degrees Projectors: 3 x '3D Perception' SX25 + I DLP projectors, with integrated edge blending and warping Computers: 3 PCs, each with a Quadro™ FX4800 graphics card, 2...
March 3, 2011
At Glensaugh we have started calving our suckler cows. The latest bovine celebrity is L5 who calved a pair of Charolais twins. Multiple births in hill cows are regarded as a disaster because the demands of two calves (who incidentally are doing...
March 3, 2011
At Glensaugh a new production year has begun with the tupping of our ewes with the tupps (rams) introduced into the Cheviot and blackface flocks. The date for the tupping of hill ewes is “set in stone” (usually 22 November). What is...
March 3, 2011
What is it? The Virtual Landscape Theatre (VLT) is a mobile curved screen projection facility, in which people can be 'immersed' in computer models of their environment to explore landscapes of the past, present and future. It is used...
March 3, 2011
Our exciting interactive exhibit (installation) is centred around the challenge of climate change but specifically addressing the idea that we have choices in the ways that we individually and collectively respond to this challenge.
March 3, 2011

Exhibits (Page)

Virtual Landscape Theatre The Virtual Landscape Theatre (VLT) is a mobile curved screen projection facility, in which people can be 'immersed' in computer models of their environment to explore landscapes of the past, present and future...
March 3, 2011

David Miller (Member of Staff)

March 3, 2011
17 April 2013 Ann Cleeves event for Befriend a Child charity Compered by Professor Lorna Dawson, James Hutton Institute 5 September 2012 British Science Festival, Aberdeen
March 3, 2011
There are no forthcoming events at this time.
March 3, 2011

Sponsors (Page)

The Murder, Mystery & Microscopes team are grateful for the support received from: The James Hutton Institute The Scottish Government Science Engagement Grant
March 3, 2011

Profiles (Page)

The Authors Stuart MacBride 'Stuart MacBride is the most exciting thing to happen in British crime fiction in the last ten years…’ Northern Echo
March 3, 2011

Sandy (Page)

Follow Sandy on Twitter Age: Younger than most Scottish soils Address: By the sea Preferred Occupation: Golfer/crofter Height/Weight: Usually healthy, but height can suddenly change Colour: Yellow
March 3, 2011

Rusty (Page)

Age: Very old but cosmetic surgery has changed his appearance over the years Address: East Scotland Preferred Occupation: Arable farmer Height/Weight: Weight increases with depth. Height depends on his parents, but usually over a...
March 3, 2011

Rocky (Page)

Age: Similar to his deeper characters Address: Anywhere it is rocky, many locations in the West Highlands Preferred Occupation: Almost unemployable, particularly lazy in pasture land Height/Weight: Stunted growth but has a rock...
March 3, 2011

Pete (Page)

Age: A young head on old shoulders Address: Northern Scotland and the Islands Preferred Occupation: Water supplier/whisky distiller/ornithologist Height/Weight: Height varies from 0.5-8 metres; Weight normal but reduces by 90% when...
March 3, 2011

Monty (Page)

Age: Average for Scottish soils, less than 10,000 years Address: On the mountain tops Preferred Occupation: Conservationalist/bird watcher, skier, hill walker Height/Weight: Surprisingly tall despite stony faced exterior. Heavy due...
March 3, 2011

Heather (Page)

Age: Very old, but extremely interesting Address: Eastern and Central Highlands Preferred Occupation: Gamekeeper/forester/ecologist/farmer Height/weight: Very light on top, much heavier below. Usually over a metre tall Colour:...
March 3, 2011

Claude (Page)

Age: Very old but has changed in appearance over the years Address: West Central Scotland   Preferred Occupation:   
March 3, 2011

Ally (Page)

Age:   Younger than most Scottish soils   Address: Along most of our major river courses
March 3, 2011
[jwplayer|config=jhi|file=http://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/Video/soilcharacters-intro.mp4|image=/sites/default/files/files/Video/screengrabs/soilcharacters-intro.jpg] Starting in 2007, the Institute has been highlighting how...
March 3, 2011
SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre PDF file: The SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre (869 KB)
March 3, 2011
Integrated Farm Management (IFM) involves:
March 3, 2011
Research priorities Scientific research at the Institute covers a wide range of scales and disciplines from landscape processes to gene functioning. As a LEAF Innovation Centre, our priorities are:
March 3, 2011
To help visitors appreciate farmland
March 3, 2011
A series of commentaries and opinions on current topics in food security, sustainable agriculture and environment. A fuller version of some articles will be available as a downloadable file.   Mapping pesticide loading in Scotland's...
March 3, 2011
Open Farm Sunday 9 June 2019 This year the farm and science exhibits return to our Dundee site for Open Farm Sunday. Location: Mylnefield Farm, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA. Date: Sunday 9 June 2019, time from 10.00 am to...
March 3, 2011

Commonwealth Potato Collection (Research Partners)

The Commonwealth Potato Collection is a major genebank containing over 1300 accessions of 86 different species related to the cultivated potato S. tuberosum L. which is hosted at The James Hutton Institute.
March 3, 2011
LEAF Linking Environment and Farming promotes environmentally responsible farming. LEAF brings together thousands of individuals and organisations to deliver a shared vision for the future of farming and food.
March 3, 2011

Steve Albon (Member of Staff)

Steve Albon was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's National Academy of Sciences and Letters, in 2008. He has held an Honorary Chair at the University of Aberdeen since 1997.
March 3, 2011
Come walkabout at Glensaugh Research Farm
March 3, 2011
Agroforestry is a system of land management which combines livestock farming and forestry: trees are grown for timber on the same land as that used for animal production. The growing of trees on farms diversifies and sustains production leading...
March 3, 2011
Playing in the dirt all day might not sound like cutting edge research but the importance of soil cannot be underestimated according to soil ecologist Tim Daniell. He is a senior scientist at The James Hutton Institute. Tim leads a group that...
March 3, 2011

Glensaugh (Page)

Glensaugh is one of the James Hutton Institute’s research farms and the home of our Climate-Positive Farming Initiative. Please visit our website and have a browse through our philosophy and our activities.
March 3, 2011
The Living Field projects aim to enhance public knowledge and awareness of the importance of agriculture and the environment in our daily lives using a wide range of materials, methods and technologies. It includes a community garden, a study...
March 3, 2011
Members of the public can find out more about The James Hutton Institute's research at the annual Dundee Flower and Food Festival held at Campderdown Park. We will be explaining the health benefits of antioxidants and telling gardeners...
March 3, 2011
Science communicator Heather 'the Weather' Reid will join us once again this year as we invite the public to find out more about our farms at LEAF Open Farm Sunday. Heather will be giving presentations about climate change and the world...
February 2, 2011

Directions (Page)

Aberdeen James Hutton Institute Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH Scotland UK
February 2, 2011

Facilities (Page)

We encourage companies to locate at our campuses at Invergowrie, Craigiebuckler and Glensaugh where they can access our facilities as well as collaborate with our colleagues. Get in touch to find out more about how we can work together. More...
February 2, 2011

History (Page)

February 2, 2011

FAQs (Page)

What is the James Hutton Institute?
February 2, 2011
The James Hutton Institute was formed on 1 April 2011 by uniting the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute).
February 2, 2011
Find details of some of our research partners and commercial affiliates.
February 2, 2011
Chair: Susan Davies
January 1, 2011

About us (Page)

The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and...

Printed from /category/visitor-type/general-public on 29/03/24 06:33:19 AM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.