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A guide to exploring 365 of Scotland's most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically significant woodlands.
From the precious fragments of Caledonian pine forest to lesser-known wildwoods and urban copses, Scottish woodlands offer places of sanctuary, both for wildlife and for people.
In this practical guide, Gabriel Hemery brings together the beauty, purpose, history, wildlife and ownership of some of the most extraordinary woodland sites in the country, from the largest (the Forest of Ae, which covers more than 10,000 hectares) to the smallest (Halligarth in the Shetland Islands, measuring less than a third of a hectare), and everything in-between. Some woods are notable for having the tallest or rarest trees, others are the best places in the country for spotting ospreys or red squirrels, or even marine mammals; some are known as the best places to explore preserved archaeological features, discover hidden histories or simply enjoy the spectacular scenery.
The Forest Guide Scotland is divided into 14 regions, each beginning with a summary of their woodland heritage, and a map showing where all the sites are located. The 365 sites are listed by name, with details of the owner, designation, area covered, forest type and how to access it (including grid reference, post code and 'what3words' reference, which pinpoints locations to a 3-metre square), followed by a description noting the site's key features.
Illustrated throughout with 200 of the author's spectacular photographs showcasing the astonishing variety of plants, animals and landscapes that occur throughout Scotland's forests, this is an essential book for adventurers, ramblers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wherever you may be in Scotland, with this guide you will never be far from a fascinating forest site!
Map of Sites
Scotland's Forests
Facts & Figures
Geography
Natural History
History
Silviculture
Gaelic language
Forest Ownership
The Guide
Angus & Dundee (Sites 1-12)
Argyll & Bute (Sites 13-52)
Ayrshire (Sites 53-67)
Borders (Sites 68-90)
Clyde (Sites 91-102)
Dumfries & Galloway (Sites 103-119)
Fife (Sites 120-132)
Highlands (Sites 133-248)
Lothian (Sites 249-273)
Moray & Nairn (Sites 274-289)
North-East (Sites 290-313)
Outer Hebrides, Orkney & Shetland (Sites 314-325)
Perth & Kinross (Sites 326-347)
Upper Forth (Sites 348-365)
Glossary
Useful Information
Further Reading
Tree Leaf Key
Acknowledgements
Index
Gabriel Hemery is a forest scientist and passionate advocate for trees. He co-founded and is currently Chief Executive of Sylva Foundation, a charity caring for forests across Britain. Gabriel has written more than 90 technical articles, cited in 900 articles by other scientists. In 2011-12 he played a lead role in campaigning to save England's public forests. Gabriel regularly contributes to television and radio programmes and has presented at several literary festivals. His first non-fiction book, The New Sylva, was published to wide acclaim by Bloomsbury in 2014.
