Angus Buchanan

Born in Kirkwall, Orkney, on May 5, 1886, Angus Buchanan was a Scottish naturalist, explorer, collector, photographer, and filmmaker. He first worked as an architect in Canada before moving toward fieldwork and travel, and he later served as an officer in East Africa during both world wars.

Buchanan became best known for his expeditions in the Sahara and in the Aïr region north of Nigeria in the years after World War I. Those journeys led to books including Sahara and Exploration of Aïr, which helped introduce many readers to remote desert landscapes, local life, and the challenges of overland exploration.

Alongside his travel writing, he was deeply interested in natural history and built a reputation as a careful observer and collector. He died in Edinburgh on February 5, 1954, leaving behind a body of work that still appeals to readers who enjoy classic exploration writing with a strong sense of place.