This is a smashing book full of natural history gems. The author is an ecologist and gifted photographer who set up the Scottish charity Trees for Life 40 years ago and was its Director for almost 30 years. He has a wealth of experience from Glen Affric.
This book is in three parts: a short introduction to Glen Affric and the author (interesting); an introduction to the species found there and their ecological roles (long and interesting); an account of rewilding with the author’s 14 rewilding principles (medium length and very interesting).
The photographs are great and range from gorgeous images of slime moulds to fairly gorgeous images of landscapes by way of images of individual trees, mammals etc.
The author has his own philosophy of life which he shares with us and although it isn’t exactly how I see the world it has clearly been influenced by what he has experienced as an ecologist and informs his ongoing conservation work.
The long-term relationship between the author and Glen Affric is, probably accidentally, documented by the amount and colour of hair on the top of his head, round the back and on his chin in photographs dotted through the book. There appear to have been different stages of a wilding narrative there too.
This is a very fine book.
The cover? Atmospheric, yes, but also rather gloomy I feel. I’d give it 6/10.
Rewilding Glen Affric by Alan Watson Featherstone is published by Pelagic.