Hutton 300 | Earth Matters

Welcome to a recording of a discussion held at the National Galleries of Scotland, celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of the Edinburgh-born geologist, writer and farmer, James Hutton (1726–1797), and the exhibition inspired by Hutton, Earth Matters at Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The panel discussion explores Hutton's influence on contemporary creative thinking and art. Glasgow-based designer and maker Stefanie Ying Lin Cheong who works with found rocks and soil and Dr Katie Strang, curator of rock and minerals at The Hunterian, Glasgow, discuss their ideas and explorations with Susanna Beaumont (Design Exhibition Scotland) curator of Earth Matters, an exhibition which forms part of a year long James Hutton Tercentenary 2026 programme of events.

You can watch the discussion via our YouTube platform. The live captions on screen are automatically generated by YouTube and are sometimes not accurate.

This panel discussion was held at Hawthorden Lecture Theatre, National Galleries of Scotland as part of the Learning Team programme of lunchtime lectures, so many thanks to NGS and the team for allowing us to share this discussion.

Earth Matters runs until 1st November at Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, open daily 10.30-4.30pm, free.

Image
Under the City

Stefanie Ying Lin Cheong

2026
Photograph Ruth Clark