A GRANDAD’S viral rock map of Scotland has gone on public display in London.
In February, The National spoke with 85-year-old Harry Young after his project to create a geologically accurate map of Scotland from rocks went viral on social media.
The map took 28 years for Young to complete and involved field trips to locations across Scotland.
While he finished the project in 2020, it wasn’t until his 85th birthday in February this year that his family framed the map as a gift.
After the map garnered millions of views on social media and even made its way onto the masthead of The National, The Geological Society reached out to Young to ask if he might lend the map for display in their London headquarters.
The map is now available to view for free until October.
A special series of events celebrating the map are also being developed by the society to mark Young’s achievement.
The Geological Society chief executive, Simon Thompson, said it was an “obvious decision” to ask Young about displaying the map.
“Harry and his map have already inspired millions to take a look at the diverse and engaging world of geoscience,” said Thompson.
“The Geological Society promotes geoscience to everyone, and aims to inspire young people to study and pursue careers in the geosciences.
“There are so many transferrable skills within geoscience, including scientific and creative skills, so seeing Harry's wonderful map using his creative side to produce something so visually stunning and scientifically useful, it was an obvious decision to ask if he might loan it to the Society, so that we could help him share it more widely and inspire others.”
Visitors can view the map Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm, in the Upper Library of Burlington House, Piccadilly.
