Schiehallion: A Perthshire Mountain that Weighed the World

Annie and Jenny hike up Schiehallion, one of Scotland’s most famous peaks. This astounding mountain is home to world changing history. This episode includes an oral history with a squeaky rocking chair. Located in the heart of Scotland, Schiehallion was the site of an intricate experiment that weighed the world. It’s unique conical shape drew astronomers, physicists, mathematicians and geologists together in the 18th century to calculate the earth’s mass for the first time, causing an earthquake in the warring schools of geology.

Mountaineering in the Scottish Highlands can be dangerous, especially in the winter, but an excerpt from the Scottish Mountaineering Journal opens up the Scottish Wilderness and all it’s beauty during this time.

Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland.

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References:

CA Sage, Schiehallion Poem, Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1910.

James G Scott (Contributor), Calum Iain Maclean (Fieldworker), SA1958.99, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh. (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/37020)

John Sinclair, Schiehallion: A Posy of Rannoch Poesy, Stirling, 1905.

Joseph Gibson Scott, Schiehallion, Scottish Mountaineering Journal, the Scottish Mountaineering Club, Edinburgh, 1895.

Herbert Trench (published by name FHT), Schiehallion poem, Westminster Gazette, 1897.