Scotland and the Antarctic

Section 2: Antarctic Exploration ... Early Twentieth Century

Scott's British Antarctic Expedition 1901-03

This expedition was led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott on the specially built research ship Discovery (see section 3). This was the first extensive land exploration of the Antarctic. New land areas were discovered. One of the sledge journeys (with Scott, Shackleton and Wilson) reached 82°16'S. Another of the journeys was the first to reach the polar plateau. Discovery was trapped in the ice for two years.