ATLAS: The Art of Mapping

“Scotland’s history is fascinating, and Andrew’s hand drawn maps document the country’s topography, and how it has influenced culture, literature, and poetry over the centuries. With insight shared from Dr. Mike Rivington and Dr. Anabel Pinker, the panel shared how maps are a vital part of our past, present and future"

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 hand drawn maps, and includes the local histories of various towns and cities.

The event also included insight from senior scientist Dr Mike Rivington from the James Hutton Institute, who contributed his expertise in maps from the perspective of climate change projections. Social anthropologist Dr. Annabel Pinker, also from the Institute, joined Andrew and Mike to consider how we can use maps to capture the feelings and experiences of places, rather than just territory.

Andrew said: “It was great to work with the James Hutton Institute on this special St Andrew's Day gathering. Combining mapping with modern art and science, the conversation event covered many different aspects of Scotland’s history and landscape.

“We know that James Hutton himself met with Robert Burns, possibly leading to some geological influences in the Bard’s poetry. It felt especially relevant today to follow this tradition of bringing art, culture, and science together in one place.”

Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of The James Hutton Institute said: “Scotland’s history is fascinating, and Andrew’s hand drawn maps document the country’s topography, and how it has influenced culture, literature, and poetry over the centuries.

“With insight shared from Dr. Mike Rivington and Dr. Anabel Pinker, the panel shared how maps are a vital part of our past, present and future.

“Fittingly, our event took place on St. Andrew's Day, and we welcomed guests who braved the cold with haggis, and Hutton’s home grown tatties!”