Since 1912, peoples' opinions of Scott have changed. At first he was viewed as a hero. In later years he was seen as someone who had been courageous but careless. Today we remember him more fondly - for leading the first British expedition to reach the South Pole and for the scientific results of his two expeditions, both of which laid the foundations for Antarctica's environmental research and climate research studies.
Achievements
Scott's expeditions:
- helped map this strange and difficult landscape
- generated photographs of and information about the geology and wildlife
- taught us about the weather patterns and ice flows
- established shore bases and shelters
- created one of the most compelling visual records in the history of exploration thanks to Herbert Ponting's archive of 1,700 photographs of the Terra Nova Expedition
- helped us understand the pitfalls of polar exploration, such as scurvy, snow blindness and frostbite
- initiated analysis and improvements surrounding the use of skis, dogs, other forms of transport, clothing and food supplies
Across the world
The achievements of Scott and his crew have been marked across the world with memorials, statues, plaques, stained glass windows and streets names. The last century has also seen the establishment of the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, the founding of the USA's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station scientific base, and the preservation of 'Scott's Hut' and 'Discovery Hut' on Ross Island by New Zealand and the UK.
Here in Plymouth
Scott was born at 'Outlands', a large house that once stood on Outland Road, Plymouth, at Milehouse. The Scott Estate, consisting of Scott Road, Wilson Crescent, Bowers Road, Oates Road, Evans Place and Terra Nova Green, was developed near to the site of 'Outlands'. A pair of plaques commemorating Scott's birthplace can be seen on the boundary walls St Bartholomew's Church, close to the site of the family home. The original and oldest Scott plaque was unveiled over 100 years ago at the entrance to 'Outlands'.
The National Memorial to Scott and the Polar Party was unveiled in 1925 in Mount Wise Park, Devonport, and a special rededication ceremony took place in March 2012 as part of the Scott 100 Plymouth event programme. The memorial is supported by Plymouth City Council.
Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, these Scott related locations now feature in our new 'From Plymouth to Pole: Antarctic Connections' leaflet. Take a look to discover what other places across the city have associations with the 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration'.
Nowadays, Plymouth Hospitals Trust, at Derriford supports Polar exploration by providing medical support and training for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) through the BAS Medical Unit.
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| Scott Memorial, Mount Wise, Plymouth | Promotional leaflet for the National Fund, which was set up in 1913 to commemorate and support the families of Scott and his men by the Lord Mayor of London |