The Geographer Spring 2014 | Page 16

Scotland: Natural & Social Diversity

Scotland: What Diversity!
Professor Roger Crofts FRSGS

Is Scotland really a single identity?
Surely not, as its history from
the beginnings of time to the
present day clearly demonstrates.
Geography gives us an overall
perspective of a highly variable
and diverse country of past and
present, and it gives us a window
on how to address the future.

Natural Heritage Regions.
© SNH

Professor Crofts
was founder Chief
Executive of Scottish
Natural Heritage,
1992-2002. He is
Chairman of the
RSGS.

Do those living in The Machars
of Wigtownshire have a common
heritage and a similar outlook to
those living in Scotland’s most
northern settlement of Baltasound
on Unst? Unst folk, like many
Shetlanders, call those from
further south ‘soothmoothers’ in
a mildly derogatory way. They feel
a great affinity with their Nordic
compatriots across the North
Sea, maintaining a long-standing
historical link. They are surrounded
by some of the most unusual
rocks in the country, originating
from the ocean’s mantle, which are
host to endemic plants. They are
more exposed to the weather and
climate of the North Atlantic than
other communities. And they have
a strong sense of isolation from
the centres of power in Lerwick
and further afield. Whereas, those
living in The Machars maybe feel
part of the often forgotten southwest of the country, part of the
old kingdom of Galloway. They
can see the hills and coast of
Cumbria across the Solway Firth,
and have something of a common
heritage with the west of the British
Isles, through the early Christian
settlements and the strong Nordic
influence as manifest in some
of the place names. They reside
over the sediments laid down in
an ocean thrust above se