John MacCulloch was a pioneer of Scottish geology, producing the first geological map of the country.
He descended from the McCullochs of Nether Ardwell in Galloway. He studied medicine at Edinburgh where he qualified as a physician in 1793. He was also the first geologist hired by the British government.
During his geological research MacCulloch found organic remains (Serpulites maccullochii) in the Cambrian quartzite in the northwest highlands of Scotland. Also, MacCulloch’s Fossil Tree, a 40 foot high conifer engulfed in lava, was discovered by and named for MacCulloch.
Learn more about the life and career of John MacCulloch.