 On 17 March 1910 Bruce presented proposals to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society ( RSGS ) for a new Scottish Antarctic expedition . His plan envisaged a party wintering in or near Coats Land , while the ship took another group to the Ross Sea , on the opposite side of the continent . During the second season the Coats Land party would cross the continent on foot , via the South Pole , while the Ross Sea party pushed south to meet them and assist them home . The expedition would also carry out extensive oceanographical and other scientific work . Bruce estimated that the total cost would be about £ 50 @,@ 000 ( 2016 value about £ 4 @,@ 600 @,@ 000 ) . 
