Sir, The celebrated Antarctic explorers, Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, captured the imagination of Britain and the world with their expeditions early last century of exploration and scientific discovery.

Amazingly, the simple wooden buildings which served as the expeditions’ bases survive, still filled with original supplies and equipment. They constitute a unique heritage. However, both the huts and their contents are now at risk of falling beyond repair. The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and its New Zealand sister trust are determined to save them, and a comprehensive conservation project is under way.

The greater part of the money donated so far has come from outside Britain. Yet Scott’s and Shackleton’s expeditions were British. Although the huts are outside the UK, Antarctica has no indigenous government, so Britain should show that it values them. The centenaries of Shackleton’s expedition and of Scott’s last expedition are approaching, which will focus attention within Britain on the current state of their huts.

The Natural History Museum has established a website highlighting British heritage in Antarctic science, including the expeditions and huts. This will enable people in UK through interactive media to experience these remarkable sites.

Some £5 million is still needed. We call on the British Government to make a significant contribution to save these historic huts, which constitute part of Britain’s national heritage. This exceptional legacy of two of Britain’s greatest explorers must not be lost.

BILL BRYSON
SIR NEIL COSSONS
President, Royal Geographical Society with IBG

SIR RANULPH FIENNES
PHILIPPA FOSTER BACK
Chairman, United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust

LADY SCOTT
THE HON ALEXANDRA SHACKLETON
LORD SMITH OF FINSBURY

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