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The Old Red Sandstone, or New Walks in an Old Field

20 January 2025

The Old Red Sandstone, or New Walks in an Old Field is made up of two volumes. The Old Red Sandstone, originally published in 1841 and written by geologist Hugh Miller makes up volume 2, while volume 1 showcases the original work with added notes from Taylor and O’Connor. This is a publication of geological history interest, rather than the latest developments in Earth science, that I am glad I persevered with. 

As the editors explain, The Old Red Sandstone is no longer a textbook. At the time of its publication, it bridged the intellectual divide between scientific discovery and the layperson. It was common at the time to have educational material in the family home and, often, even fictional works had a philosophical lesson. Miller’s style lent itself to the popular science genre that remains in favour today, making science accessible. Geology has come a long way since Miller’s time, the early 1800s, when it was in its formative stage. Miller stood at the dawn of Earth sciences, highlighting the tightrope broaching deep geological time alongside Darwin’s evolutionary theory. It was a crucial time of geological enlightenment when religion and a Biblical understanding of our world was at the forefront of discussions. 

The first volume describes Miller as an avid reader who saw beauty in all forms of literature. This is reflected in Miller’s writing style in volume 2, where he embraces multiple facets of the world around him, placing the reader beside him as he navigates new geological and related scientific concepts alongside Victorian culture, religious arguments, and a tour of the land around Inverness and the Moray Firth that he deeply admired. These volumes place the reader back into a time when our beloved subject was fresh and had so much to give that is now taken as standard. It is fascinating to see the geological world within Victorian culture through Miller’s eyes. The in-depth, engaging first volume explains how the book was written and, akin to a stratigraphic column, reveals the layers and components within Miller’s life and times, allowing us to appreciate the full picture. 

Miller’s original publication is illustrated with his explanatory diagrams. The editors have provided enhanced and coloured versions of the original diagrams and photographs of Miller’s field samples, which better satisfy the modern reader’s visual expectations. 

Reviewed by Sarah Pipkin 

 

Details 

BY: Hugh Miller (1841), Michael A. Taylor, & Ralph O’Connor (Eds.) (2023). National Museums Scotland. 624 pp. (2 volumes) (pbk) 

ISBN: 978 1 910682 25 8 

PRICE: £30 https://shop.nms.ac.uk