Draft:Iain Cameron

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This page is about the Scottish snow-patch researcher and author. For the Scottish footballer, see Iain Cameron (footballer).
Iain Cameron
Occupation(s)Snow-patch researcher, author
Known forMonitoring long-lying snow patches in Scotland; The Vanishing Ice
Notable workThe Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter

Iain Cameron is a Scottish snow-patch researcher, citizen scientist and author, known for his long-term monitoring of residual snow patches in the Scottish Highlands and for his book The Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter (2021).[1][2] His work on patches such as the “Sphinx” on Braeriach is cited in climate-change discussions about the decline of semi-permanent snow in Scotland.[2][3]

Cameron has appeared on BBC television programmes and radio output. A BBC News video “My pilgrimage to the vanishing Sphinx snow patch” features him surveying the Sphinx patch. [4] Another BBC News article “UK’s ‘longest-lasting’ snow patch melts away” shows a continuing trend to less snow. [5] He is also credited in the BBC programme listing for an appearance on a British TV show. [6] In 2022 his work and field equipment were featured in the online article and display by the National Museums Scotland titled “Snow Hunter: Collecting Scotland’s vanishing ice.”[7]

Early life and background

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According to his own account, Cameron’s interest in long-lying snow patches began in childhood when he spotted a snow patch on Ben Lomond from his family home, sparking a lifelong fascination with residual snow.[8] He is based in Stirling and conducts many of his field surveys in the Scottish Highlands.[8]

Snow-patch research

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Cameron has monitored Scottish long-lying snow patches since the 1990s, measuring their size, location and survival year to year.[9] He coordinates an informal volunteer network for snow-patch monitoring and leads annual surveys in Scotland.[10]

Cameron has authored or co-authored scientific publications on snow-patch persistence and British snow-patch climatology.[11][10]

Sphinx snow patch and climate change

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Cameron is regularly cited in media as an expert on the Sphinx snow patch in the Cairngorms, often described as the UK’s longest-lasting patch of snow.[12][2] He has documented several complete melts of the patch and argued that their increasing frequency is indicative of warming conditions.[3][5]

Writing and publications

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Cameron’s earlier work includes co-authorship with Adam Watson on Cool Britannia: Snowier Times in 1580–1930 than Since (2010).[13][14]

His major solo publication is The Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter, published by Vertebrate Publishing in 2021.[1][15] The book blends personal field-memoir, snow-patch survey results and commentary on climate change.[16]

Media and public engagement

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Cameron’s work has been covered by British news media. His monitoring of the Sphinx patch and other long-lying snow features has featured in national newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent, and The Sunday Times.[12][2][3]

He has appeared on BBC television and radio:

  • BBC News video: “My pilgrimage to the vanishing Sphinx snow patch.” [4]
  • BBC News article: “UK’s ‘longest-lasting’ snow patch melts away.” [5]
  • BBC programme listing (for appearance on The One Show segment). [6]

Museum exhibition

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In 2022 the National Museums Scotland featured Cameron and his work in its project “Snow Hunter: Collecting Scotland’s vanishing ice”.[7][17] The museum collected his mountaineering boots, measuring equipment and a piece of granite from beneath the Sphinx patch, illustrating Scotland’s changing mountain environment.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter". Postscript Books. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Brooks, Libby (3 November 2021). "UK's longest-lasting snow patch melts for only eighth time in 300 years". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "UK's longest lasting snow patch has melted away". The Independent. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b "My pilgrimage to the vanishing Sphinx snow patch". BBC News. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "UK's 'longest-lasting' snow patch melts away". BBC News. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b "BBC Programmes Listing". BBC. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Snow Hunter: Collecting Scotland's vanishing ice". National Museums Scotland. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Iain Cameron: books, biography, latest update". Amazon UK. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  9. ^ Townsend, Chris (13 January 2022). "Book Review: The Vanishing Ice by Iain Cameron". Chris Townsend Outdoors. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Scottish snow patches – 2019 report". Royal Meteorological Society. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  11. ^ Denyer, Graham (2022). "Book review: The Vanishing Ice – Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter". Weather. 77 (4): 146. Bibcode:2022Wthr...77..146D. doi:10.1002/wea.4180. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  12. ^ a b MacLeod, Murdo (18 September 2017). "Scotland's Sphinx snow patch is in its throes – in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Cool Britannia". Foyles. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  14. ^ McKie, Robin (19 May 2011). "Weatherwatch: why have all the snow-capped peaks of Scotland vanished?". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  15. ^ The Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish Snow Hunter. ASIN 1839810874.
  16. ^ Cameron, Iain (7 August 2021). "The Vanishing Ice". Walkhighlands. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  17. ^ "Contemporary collecting". National Museums Scotland. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
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