Scott's last expedition This display at the National Library of
Scotland ran from 12 January to 25 March 2012. We commemorated
the men of the British National Antarctic Expedition of
1910-1913 in our first treasures display in 2012. Diary
extracts, letters, books, postcards and maps were on show to
help us tell one of the great stories of achievement, tragedy,
endurance and courage. Led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the
expedition found itself in a race with Norwegian explorer Roald
Amundsen to reach the South Pole. Polar party triumphs, then
perishes View full Scott photo Scott set sail from Cardiff on
the 'Terra Nova' in 1910. The following year, the men began
their journey across the Antarctic. Eventually most of them
turned back, taking the dogs with them, and leaving Scott and
four others to complete the task, hauling the sledges of
supplies themselves. On 17 January 1912 the small group
successfully reached the pole — only to find that Amundsen had
got there before them. On their journey back through