Review
"This beautiful book is not simply another description of the natural history of a group of islands. The author has contrived to combine a description of the wildlife of Shetland with an account of its geological, geographical and human history. Naturally this book will have special relevance to Shetlanders. However, it deserves a much wider readership and would grace the bookshelves of any naturalist. It is to be thoroughly recommended."
--MAMMAL NEWS
"
A Naturalist's Shetland is an obvious, instant classic as the new standard work of reference. What makes it special is not just the scholarship of Laughton and his many collaborators, but the literary style. For Laughton is both scientist and poet. The profuse illustrations include poetical quotations, sketches by John Busby and photographs as instructive as they are artistic."
--BIRDING WORLD
"
A Naturalist's Shetland is an instant classic as the new standard work of reference for this spectacular archipelago, a work filled with both scholarship and fine literary style."
--THE SCOTSMAN
"This is yet another inspiring book from the Poyser Natural History series and the best I have seen for a while. A measure of its success is that even if you have not been to these islands, as long as you are interested in islands then it is a masterpiece that should be on your bookshelf. A very enjoyable book and one that will often be taken down off the bookshelf to explain island happenings."
--HIGHLAND NEWS
"Drawing on a truly breathtaking variety of sources,
A Naturalist's Shetland gives an account of the isles that is as detailed as it is wide ranging. The author intended it to be accessible to the layperson. To this end, his approach is both genial and rigourous throughout and the result is a book that can be easily read and enjoyed by anyone who has a passion for Shetland's wild places and wildlife."
--SHETLAND TIMES
"This is a remarkable book. Johnston's book should be on every bookshelf in Shetland and in the bag of every visitor to this fascinating archipelago. It should be in every library that pretends to proper coverage of the natural history of the British isles. The chapter on sustainability should be mailed to every member of the new Scottish parliament, to remind them that the short-sighted pursuit of 'development' endangers the natural resources that are the true long-term wealth of so many parts of Scotland."
--HABITAT
"...though in many ways as unfamiliar and alluring, are Britain's northern-most islands - the Shetlands. This isolated archipelago has long been famed among ornithologists for its importance as a staging post for migrant birds as well as being home to some spectacular breeding species that remain exceedingly scarce on the mainland.
Now with the publication of J. Laughton Johnston's splendid volume
A Naturalist's Shetland we can enjoy so much more that these fascinating islands have to offer. The author, with the help of a number of experts in various fields, paints the most complete and up to date picture of the Shetlands' natural treasures.
Not only does this book describe the wildlife of the islands but it also includes chapters on the islands' geology and botany, the effects of human habitation from the early settlers to the modern day inhabitants and considers what the future holds for the islands and islanders. Of interest to many readers will be a whole chapter justly dedicated to Fair Isle, famously known for its bird observatory."
--THE LANCASTER GUARDIAN
"Laughton has produced a readable, authoritative account of the islands' wildlife and its natural and cultural setting. A published poet with a fine turn of phrase, Johnston livens up his accounts of geology, history, habitats, species and conservation issues with local words and lines of dialect poetry - just enough to tickle curiousity. The result is something special - a work which is sure to be the standard natural history reference on Shetland for many years to come, but which also, in words and pictures, gives a vibrant sense of place."
--BBC WILDLIFE
From the Back Cover
Shetland is a spectacular group of islands with a varied geology, a wonderful landscape and a special flora and fauna, peopled by a culture distinct within the British Isles. An isolated group, it has evolved several variants of species found elsewhere in Britain and forms a migratory waystation for birds in transit from the north to wintering grounds on the more temperate British mainland. In addition it supports a number of northern birds reaching their southern limit and therefore very uncommon on the British mainland. Some of Britains largest seabird colonies occur there supported by the rich ocean surrounding, also a haven porpoise, whale and seal. Though fast changing, the crofting still leaves ample space for wet meadows rich in wild flowers, long vanished from more intensively managed farmland further south.
This is only the second book to describe all the wildlife of these islands and the first to comprehensively cover their history since the last Ice Age, as well as the Norse influences from Scandinavia. Written for the general reader and keen naturalist, it is lavishly illustrated with colour and other photographs, maps and diagrams and graced with evocative sketches by John Busby.
As well as describing the wildlife in all its forms, attention is paid to the recent effects of the fishing industry, oil production and the inevitable clash of traditional and modern industries. The costs and benefits of today's economy, both to the people and the natural scene are critically observed.
Shetland remains one of Britain's natural treasurers. No visitor to the islands can fail to be helped in their understanding of this very special place by this very special book.
