Polar Explorer, and Royal Scottish Geographical Society Explorer in Residence, Craig Mathieson will speak in Ayr this week. The explorer, who has journeyed to both poles, will speak as part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) Inspiring People talk series about both his past expeditions and his new project the Polar Academy.

Mathieson truly embodies the title of the RSGS talk series “Inspiring People”, in 2004 he realised a childhood dream by skiing to the South Pole, whilst this itself is inspirational Mathieson then went on to train a 16 year old school boy to join him on an expedition to the North Pole. Mathieson realised the benefits to self-confidence and growth brought on by polar exploration and wanted to offer this opportunity to a child who would otherwise not have the same opportunities to excel. The success of his first journey to the North Pole with a school pupil encouraged Matheison to set up ‘The Polar Academy’, giving school children the opportunity to stand out and build self-confidence through new experiences.

Mathieson said “The Polar Academy training is about the silent kids in the education system, not the kids who excel and not the kids who cause a fuss but the ones that get forgotten in the middle. The Polar Academy creates role models who can in turn encourage and inspire their peers”.

Mathieson’s past talks, where he covers both his own expeditions and The Polar Academy, have provoked high emotion from audiences who recognise the opportunity for social change that exploration can bring.

Craig Mathieson’s talk, “Some Like It Cold…” will take place at the Council Chambers, Ayr Town Hall on Wednesday 29th October at 7:30pm.