History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland 1500-1920

Book excerpt: The first modern history of Scottish woodlands, this highly illustrated volume explores the changing relationship between trees and people from the time of Scotland's first settlement, focusing on the period 1500 to 1920. Drawing on work in natural science, geography and history, as well as on the authors' own research, it presents an accessible and readable account that balances social, economic and environmental factors. Two opening chapters describe the early history of the woodlands. The book is then divided into chapters that consider traditional uses and management, the impact of outsiders on the pine woods and the oakwoods in the first phase of exploitation, and the effect of industrialization. Separate chapters are devoted to case studies of management at Strathcarron, Glenorchy, Rothiemurchus, and on Skye.