Scotland's Nature in Trust: The National Trusts for Scotland and its Wildland and Crofting Management (A Volume in the Poyser Natural History Series) [Hardcover]

J. Laughton Johnston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0856611220 | ISBN-13: 978-0856611223 | Publication Date: March 28, 2000

The National Trust for Scotland is one of the largest landowners in Scotland owning 300 square miles, or 1% of its countryside. Most people are aware that the Trust has ownership of and responsibility for -- on behalf of the nation -- many fine houses, castles and gardens. Few, however, are aware that, within its general purpose written into the 1935 Act establishing theTrust, it has responsibility also "...as regards lands for the preservation of their natural aspect and features and animals and plant life..." Half of the Trust land is designated for its natural heritage in one form or another, several properties are National Nature Reserves, one is a Council of Europe Diploma site and another is a World Heritage site for its natural heritage--the highest accolade that can be bestowed.
This book is for the general public and members of the National Trust for Scotland who have an interest in, but a lack of knowledge of the natural heritage and its management on Trust properties. It is for those particularly, who are unaware of the rationale behind the aims of management, also, for those who have only a limited knowledge of many contemporary natural heritage management principles and issues in Scotland, within which Trust properties are managed. At present there is no single, accessible source which meets this role: site leaflets being very brief documents and management plans being rather inaccessible.

Key Features
* Presents an overall picture of conservation in Scotland and the NTS role
* Includes a series of case studies each with OS maps

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Some of the most well known and best-loved parts of Scotland are under the care of National Trust for Scotland including Fair Isle, St. Kilda and Ben Lomond. This excellent book, after an introductory section on general issues, looks at each estate/site individually. ...Attactively illustrated by colour photos and sketches by John Busby."
—BTO NEWS (July/August 2000)
"This is a well-researched, up-to-date and thoughtfully written book, and as good a review of heritage management in Scotland as I have read. Well illustrated with colour photographs, maps and sketches by John Busby, it is well up to the publishing standards one expects from Poyser..."
—BRITISH WILDLIFE (April 2000)
"This is a well produced book with attractive colour photographs, up to the normal high standards of Poyser."
—BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY (2000)
"...will be of great interest to Members and would make an ideal gift for all those with a passion for natural history, land management and great places."
—HERITAGE SCOTLAND (Winter 1999)
"An excellent book that anyone interested in wildlife, habitat and species management and land use in general should have and the author should be congratulated on another work that will be a model for the future."
—HIGHLAND NEWS (February 1999)
"...a thougtful, fascinating and successful book, which is beautifully illustrated with well chosen plates and ecocative drawings by John Busby. ...I thoroughly recommend this attractive and thought-provoking book. It has all the charm of a book on highland natural history but is also realistic and challenging in its account of the difficulties facing those who have to manage the land in a sympathetic way."
—Dr. Andrew Kitchener in MAMMAL NEWS

From the Back Cover

The National Trust for Scotland is one of the largest landowners in Scotland owning 300 square miles, or 1% of its countryside. Most people are aware that the Trust has ownership of and responsibility for - on behalf of the nation - many fine houses, castles and gardens. Few, however, are aware that, within its general purpose written into the 1935 Act establishing the Trust, it has responsibility also ...as regards lands for the preservation of their natural aspect and features and animals and plant life... Half of the Trust land is designated for its natural heritage in one form or another, several properties are National Nature Reserves, one is a Council of Europe Diploma site and another is a World Heritage site for its natural heritage - the highest accolade that can be bestowed. Where are these properties? What are the Trust's credentials for natural heritage management? What sort of management is being carried out on these properties and why? How does this management compare to that carried out by other conservation bodies and private estate owners in Scotland? Could, or should, the Trust be doing more and does the Trust expend its resources equally across its cultural and natural heritage responsibilities? Finally, as landlord, how does the Trust regard the role of the local community within its properties and will Land Reform change this role? These and other questions are looked into in this book in an examination of a cross-section of the Trust's Highlands and Islands properties from Mar Lodge Estate to St. Kilda and from Ben Lawers to Fair Isle.
The opening chapter briefly describes the history of the Trust and discusses some of the general countryside management issues of the day with which the Trust has to grapple. Then follow chapters on ten properties which look critically and intimately at their management. The final chapter sums up where the Trust stands today as a natural heritage manager in Scotland and suggests that there is an opportunity ahead for radical change.
The book has been generously supported by the National Trust for Scotland and its staff and the author has had access to all the information requested, ensuring that the result is a rounded and accurate account.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (March 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0856611220
• ISBN-13: 978-0856611223
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,969,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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