 The RSGS supported these proposals , as did the Royal Society of Edinburgh , the University of Edinburgh , and other Scottish organisations . However , the timing was wrong ; the Royal Geographical Society in London was fully occupied with Captain Scott 's Terra Nova Expedition , and showed no interest in Bruce 's plans . No rich private benefactors came forward , and persistent and intensive lobbying of the government for financial backing failed . Bruce suspected that his efforts were , as usual , being undermined by the aged but still influential Markham . Finally accepting that his venture would not take place , he gave generous support and advice to Ernest Shackleton , who in 1913 announced plans , similar to Bruce 's , for his Imperial Trans @-@ Antarctic Expedition . Shackleton not only received £ 10 @,@ 000 from the government , but raised large sums from private sources , including £ 24 @,@ 000 from Scottish industrialist Sir James Caird of Dundee . 
