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Hugh Miller, author of ‘The Old Red Sandstone’ (1841) and several other geological books was one of the most influential Scottish geologists of the 19th C. As a self-taught scientist he investigated the rocks of his native Cromarty on the Black Isle, and made valuable original observations on glaciation, structure and stratigraphy. He travelled widely, and was held in high regard by leading geologists of the day such as Murchison and Agassiz. He is best known for his studies on fossil fish from the Old Red Sandstone. From first principles, and using models of wood and paper, he reconstructed and described the fossil fish. The most famous of these is the ‘winged Pterichthys’ now known as Pterichthyodes milleri. Some of Miller’s original models have been located in The Natural History Museum in London, and give the basis to this talk exploring the research methods of this remarkable man, and more recent scientific progress that is based on his work.