Adam Watson (scientist)
Encyclopedia
Adam Watson FIBiol, FArcticINorthAmerica, FRSE, FCEH, AFRMetSoc, (born April 14, 1930), is a Scottish
biologist, ecologist and mountaineer. He is one of the most recognisable scientific figures in Scotland due to his many appearances on TV and radio. His vast academic output and contributions to the understanding of the flora and fauna in Scotland and elsewhere has been internationally recognised (see Honours Awards). Dubbed "Mr Cairngorms
", Dr Watson is widely acknowledged as Scotland's pre-eminent authority on this mountain range, and has written extensively about them.
, Aberdeenshire. After showing considerable academic prowess at Turriff Senior Secondary School, where he attained the Dux
award, Watson gained a 1st class honours in Pure Science (Zoology) at the University of Aberdeen
. In the same year (1952), he won the MacGillivray Prize, Department of Natural History at Aberdeen University. He gained his PhD in 1956, again at Aberdeen University, for his thesis on the “Annual Cycle of Rock Ptarmigan”, a bird that has fascinated Watson all of his adult life. A second doctorate (DSc) was secured in 1967 for scientific papers on populations and behaviour of northern animals.
Watson was inspired by the writings of Seton Gordon
, whose book The Cairngorm Hills of Scotland Watson came across as a child, and was 'transformed' by its content. This sparked his lifelong interest in the Cairngorms, and Watson remained in contact with Gordon until his death in 1977.
Editorships
Dr Watson is also an Emeritus member of the Ecological Society of America
, and has been a member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club
since 1954
, and he recently (May 2009) led a walk at Glenshee where he showed the participants the long-lying snow-patches of the Cairngorms
& Lochnagar and the effects of snow-lie on vegetation. His fascination for snow can be traced back 70 years.
Watson has appeared twice with Bill Oddie, and acted as guide when the famous twitcher was in pursuit of Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare
.
, Aberdeenshire, by the banks of the River Dee
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
biologist, ecologist and mountaineer. He is one of the most recognisable scientific figures in Scotland due to his many appearances on TV and radio. His vast academic output and contributions to the understanding of the flora and fauna in Scotland and elsewhere has been internationally recognised (see Honours Awards). Dubbed "Mr Cairngorms
Cairngorms
The Cairngorms are a mountain range in the eastern Highlands of Scotland closely associated with the mountain of the same name - Cairn Gorm.-Name:...
", Dr Watson is widely acknowledged as Scotland's pre-eminent authority on this mountain range, and has written extensively about them.
Early life and academic achievements
Watson was born and educated in TurriffTurriff
Turriff is a town and civil parish in Aberdeenshire in Scotland. It is approximately above sea level, and has a population of 5,708.Turriff is known locally as Turra in the Doric dialect of Scots...
, Aberdeenshire. After showing considerable academic prowess at Turriff Senior Secondary School, where he attained the Dux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
award, Watson gained a 1st class honours in Pure Science (Zoology) at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
. In the same year (1952), he won the MacGillivray Prize, Department of Natural History at Aberdeen University. He gained his PhD in 1956, again at Aberdeen University, for his thesis on the “Annual Cycle of Rock Ptarmigan”, a bird that has fascinated Watson all of his adult life. A second doctorate (DSc) was secured in 1967 for scientific papers on populations and behaviour of northern animals.
Watson was inspired by the writings of Seton Gordon
Seton Gordon
Seton Gordon was a Scottish naturalist, photographer and folklorist.Gordon began exploring the Highlands of Scotland as a boy, particularly the Cairngorms. He later became a world famous naturalist, photographer and folklorist, describing the wildlife and scenery of Scotland. His books are still...
, whose book The Cairngorm Hills of Scotland Watson came across as a child, and was 'transformed' by its content. This sparked his lifelong interest in the Cairngorms, and Watson remained in contact with Gordon until his death in 1977.
Published output and editorships
The body of work by Dr Watson extends to 476 publications over 55 years (1944–2009), and includes 22 books, 210 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 62 scientific notes, 40 book reviews, and many articles in newspapers and magazines.Editorships
- 1956-64 Editor, The Scottish Naturalist
- 1969 Editorial Board, Journal of Animal Ecology
- 1970 Editor, British Ecological Society’s 10th Symposium Volume, Animal Populations in relation to their Food Resources (Blackwell Scientific Publications)
- 1981-89 Editorial Board, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
Testimonials
- "He brought to the (John Muir) Trust immense expertise and authority from a lifetime's scientific work on the ecology of the Cairngorms, an unparalleled field knowledge of the hills and intense personal commitment to their special qualities." (page 11, PDF document)
- "Few people know more about snow in Britain than Watson, who has spent almost six decades ski-mountaineering and walking around the Cairngorms, studying snow and the birds and mammals that live in it."
- "Dr. Watson is one of the most respected authorities within his field. He has written fifteen books on landscape and wildlife, including the definitive mountaineering guide The Cairngorms, which has been in-print since the 1960s."
Honours and awards
In addition to Watson’s academic achievements, he has a wealth of honours and awards:- 1971 Fellow of the Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
- 1980 Fellow of the Institute of BiologyInstitute of BiologyThe Institute of Biology was a professional body for biologists, primarily those working in the United Kingdom. The Institute was founded in 1950 by the Biological Council: the then umbrella body for Britain's many learned biological societies...
- 1980 Chartered Biologist of the Institute of Biology
- 1983 Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North AmericaArctic Institute of North AmericaThe Arctic Institute of North America is mandated to study the North American and circumpolar Arctic in the areas of natural science, social science, arts and the humanities. In addition, it acquires, preserves and disseminates information on environmental, physical, and social conditions in the...
- 1995 DUniv, University of StirlingUniversity of StirlingThe University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
(Honorary) - 2000 Emeritus Fellow of the Centre for Ecology and HydrologyCentre for Ecology and HydrologyThe Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is the United Kingdom's Centre of Excellence for integrated research in hydrology, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and their interaction with the atmosphere...
- 1969 Aug-Dec, Nuffield Fellowship to lecture at Canadian universities
- 1982 Honorary Life Member, Cairngorm ClubCairngorm Club-Founding:In Watson the author writes that it was founded at Clach Dhion - the Shelter Stone above Loch Avon in the Cairngorms on 24 June 1887...
- 1986 Royal Society of Edinburgh Neill Prize for “outstanding contribution to Natural History and study of red grouse and environmental impact of developments” in mountains
- 1986 Distinguished Scholar at University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
- 1995 Oct, Medal of the Royal Society for the Protection of BirdsRoyal Society for the Protection of BirdsBird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
- 1995 Dec, Witherby Lecturer, British Trust for OrnithologyBritish Trust for OrnithologyThe British Trust for Ornithology is an organisation founded in 1932 for the study of birds in the British Isles.-Activities:The BTO carries out research into the lives of birds, chiefly by conducting population and breeding surveys and by bird ringing, largely carried out by a large number of...
- 1997 Honorary Life Member Worldwide Fund for Nature-UK “in recognition of..outstanding quality of work, and a lifetime of dedication to securing the future of the Cairngorms”, also Honorary Life Member of the Scottish Ornithologists Club
- 2003 Portrait for permanent display in National Galleries of ScotlandNational Galleries of ScotlandThe National Galleries of Scotland are the five national galleries of Scotland and two partner galleries. It is one of the country's National Collections.-List of national galleries:* The National Gallery of Scotland* The Royal Scottish Academy Building...
, Edinburgh - 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award of the John Muir TrustJohn Muir TrustThe John Muir Trust is a Scottish charity established as a membership organisation in 1983 to conserve wild land and wild places for the benefit of all...
, for conserving wild places - 2006 Associate Fellow of Royal Meteorological SocietyRoyal Meteorological SocietyThe Royal Meteorological Society traces its origins back to 3 April 1850 when the British Meteorological Society was formed as a society the objects of which should be the advancement and extension of meteorological science by determining the laws of climate and of meteorological phenomena in general...
Dr Watson is also an Emeritus member of the Ecological Society of America
Ecological Society of America
The Ecological Society of America is a professional organization of ecological scientists. Based in the United States, ESA publishes a suite of publications, from peer-reviewed journals to newsletters, fact sheets and teaching resources. It holds an annual meeting at different locations in the...
, and has been a member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club
Scottish Mountaineering Club
The Scottish Mountaineering Club is Scotland's second oldest mountaineering club. Founded in 1889, in Glasgow, the private club, with about 400 members, publishes guidebooks and runs a list of Munroists.-History:At the time of the club's founding there were a number of experienced Alpinists...
since 1954
Notable duties
In addition to Dr Watson's distinguished career, some of the duties he has had include:- 1972 Chief expert witness for the Crown in the Cairn GormCairn GormCairn Gorm is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands overlooking Strathspey and the town of Aviemore. At 1245 metres it is the sixth highest mountain in the United Kingdom...
Disaster Fatal Accident Inquiry in February at Banff (five children from Ainslie Park High SchoolAinslie Park High SchoolAinslie Park High School was a state secondary school in East Pilton, Edinburgh, Scotland, prior to its demolition.- History :Built at the end of World War II and opened as a school, the building was designed to be used as an emergency hospital, such was the fear of the nuclear bomb being used...
, Edinburgh, and an instructor died in the snow at Feith Buidhe on the plateau in November 1971) - 1981 Main scientific witness commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council at the Lurcher’s Gully Public Inquiry, on behalf of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology
- 1983 Founder Trustee of John Muir Trust, Trustee 1983-97, Honorary Adviser 1997-2003
- 1990-92 Commissioner, Countryside Commission for Scotland
- 1995-97 Board Member, Cairngorms Partnership
- Independent monitoring scientist for downhill ski areas at the Lecht (1984 to date), Glenshee (1986 to date), Cairn Gorm (1990–99), Glencoe (1996), and gave technical advice to Nevis Range in November 1995. Author, Environmental Baseline Study for Glenshee Ski Centre 1987, Environmental Baseline Study of Damaged Ground at Cairngorm Estate 1994, and 9 Environmental Statements on proposed ski developments at Lecht (3), Cairn Gorm (2), Glenshee (2), Glencoe (2)
Recent activity
Despite being at an age where many would have hung up their boots umpteen years ago, one of Dr Watson's first loves, snow, remains a study subject that he is highly active on, particularly the longevity of snow-patches on Scotland’s mountainsSnow patches in Scotland
Long-lying snow patches in Scotland have been noted from at least the 18th century, with snow patches on Ben Nevis being observed well into summer and autumn...
, and he recently (May 2009) led a walk at Glenshee where he showed the participants the long-lying snow-patches of the Cairngorms
Cairngorms
The Cairngorms are a mountain range in the eastern Highlands of Scotland closely associated with the mountain of the same name - Cairn Gorm.-Name:...
& Lochnagar and the effects of snow-lie on vegetation. His fascination for snow can be traced back 70 years.
Watson has appeared twice with Bill Oddie, and acted as guide when the famous twitcher was in pursuit of Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare
Mountain Hare
The Mountain Hare , also known as Blue Hare, Tundra Hare, Variable Hare, White Hare, Alpine Hare and Irish Hare, is a hare, which is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats. It is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia; in addition there are isolated populations in the Alps,...
.
Personal life
Watson was married in March 1955 to Jenny Raitt, and has one son (Adam) and one daughter (Jenny). He currently lives near BanchoryBanchory
Banchory is a burgh or town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lying approximately 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee.- Overview :...
, Aberdeenshire, by the banks of the River Dee
River Dee, Aberdeenshire
The River Dee is a river in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It rises in the Cairngorms and flows through Strathdee to reach the North Sea at Aberdeen...
.
External links
- Interview with Gordon Casely in Leopard Magazine.
- News of the lifetime achievement award given to Dr Watson by the John Muir trust.
- Highland Naturalists biography.
- National Galleries of Scotland portrait.
- Guardian article with Charlie English interviewing Dr Watson about snow.
- Radio 4's The Living World with Lionel Kelleway, where he and Dr Watson go in search of grouse.
- Current TV interview with Watson on Scotland's changing winter climate.