The company's most memorable production during their control was the Times Atlas (initially in five volumes but then more widely available in a single 'Comprehensive' and in a 'Concise' version).

He was also a vice-president of the International Cartographic Association, 1972–80, and from 1987 to 1993, he was president of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

He was active on the committee of the Scottish Rights of Way Society (now ScotWays), and was appointed its honorary president.

His lasting legacies include view indicators on the summits of both North Berwick Law and the Braid Hills.

He is buried against the north wall of the 20th-century extension to Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh at the memorial to his grandfather, John George Bartholomew.