Naturalist's Shetland / Edition 1

by J. Laughton Johnston, Johnston

Overview

This book is only the second to describe all the wildlife of the Shetland Islands and the first to comprehensively cover their history since the last Ice Age, as well as the human impacts of the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age cultures and the Norse influences from Scandinavia. In addition to describing the wildlife in all its forms, the book pays attention to the recent effects of commercial fishing, oil production, and the inevitable clash of traditional and newer industries. It critically observes the costs and benefits of a modern economy, both to the people and the natural scene. Written for the general reader and keen naturalist, this book is lavishly illustrated with photographs, maps, and diagrams and graced with evocative sketches by John Busby.

Key Features:
* The only full description of the natural history of the Shetlands in print
* Focuses on conservation and the relationship between ecology and human activity
* Contains evocative sketches by John Busby

"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." (Jeremy J.D. Greenwood in HABITAT, April 1999)

"...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." (Jon Carter in THE LANCASTER GUARDIAN, December 1999)

"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."
(Kenny Taylor in BBC WILDLIFE, January 2000)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780856611056
Publisher:	Poyser, T. & A. D. Limited
Publication date:	11/01/1998
Series:	Poyser Natural History Series
Pages:	518
Product dimensions:	7.82(w) x 10.32(h) x 1.49(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword.
List of Figures and Tables.
List of Photographs.
List of Sketches.
Author's Preface.
Between the North Sea and the Atlantic.
The Making of Shetland.
The Holocene and the Shetlander.
A Fragile Skin.
By Sea and Air.
Residents and Migrants.
The Plankton, the Fish and the Predators.
The White Maas'Saga.
The Fair Isle.
Shetland Naturalists.
Black Gold or Black Death.
Development and Sustainability.
Appendix 1: Places to Visit.
Appendix 2: Protected Areas.
Appendix 3: Species Lists.
Bibliography.
Subject Index.

Conservancy Council, and Scottish Natural Heritage from 1969-1996. While
with the NC in Shetland (1969-75), he co-wrote The Natural History of Shetland with Professor Sam Berry, and in 1996, he wrote A Naturalist's Shetland. During his period in Shetland, he had responsibility for the SSSI on the Trust property of Fair Isle. While in Rum, he visited the neighboring Trust property of Canna regularly and during his period of responsibility for the NNRs in the South East of Scotland (1986-92) he served on the Management Committee for the Trust property and NNR of Ben Lawers. From early 1998 until the spring of 1999, he spent some time on many of the Highlands and Islands Trust properties, interviewed the Trust Rangers and other staff and delved into the Management Plans and other records before writing this book.