The Macaulay Institute: Beginnings

Craigiebuckler House

As a natural continuation of T.B. Macaulay’s interest in improving low fertility heath soils, and particularly the peat soils of Scotland, he offered a large capital sum for the establishment of a research institute specifically focused on studying these soils. In 1930 the institute was established and was appropriately named, in memory of its chief sponsor, the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research (MISR).

The original aim of the Institute was to reclaim peat and heath soils for agriculture via improvements in drainage and cultivation methods but this aim was later broadened to encompass improving the fertility of Scottish soils in general. The institute originally consisted of the site at Craigiebuckler along with a demonstration farm on Lewis. The first director of MISR, Dr Ogg, was a native of Aberdeen who completed his first degree at Aberdeen University before embarking on a Ph.D at Cambridge.

Dr William G. Ogg, First Director of the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research 1930 - 1943

"It was my privilege to become one of Dr. Macaulay’s friends and to stay with him several times in Canada, where I saw something of his happy home circle and of his scientific pursuits. He was a man of great sincerity and strength of character, kindly and always anxious to help his fellows. He lived simply and gave generously."
Dr William G. Ogg

The Dirt Doctors