Hostile Habitats: Scotland's Mountain Environment

by Nick Kempe (Editor), Mark Wrightham (Editor), John Gordon (Editor)

This is the first guide to Scotland's mountain fauna, flora and landscape written for hillwalkers. Hostile Habitats - Scotland's Mountain Environment, takes an in-depth look at the upland environment of the hillwalker and outdoor enthusiast, with chapters and identification sections on climate, geology, landscape, plants, animals, birds, insects, human influences and conservation. It is compiled and edited by some of the country's leading experts in their fields - Mark Wrightham, John Gordon and Rob Raynor (Scottish Natural Heritage), Stuart Benn (RSPB), Roger Owen (Scottish Environment Protection Agency), Ian Ralston; Andy Dugmore (University of Edinburgh), Kathryn Goodenough (British Geological Survey), Keith Miller (John Muir Trust), Richard Essery (University of Wales) and Nick Kempe (former board member Scottish Natural Heritage).

The definitive hillwalkers' guide to the natural history of Scotland's Mountains and the first book of its kind, written by leading experts in their fields. Lavishly illustrated in full colour and produced with assistance from Scottish Natural Heritage, it is available at a subsidised price.

Genres: Natural History, Outdoors

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Nick Kempe has campaigned on access and conservation issues for over twenty years and writes for Parkswatch Scotland and Reforesting Scotland.

Reviews

[Kevin Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent companion read to ‘Set in Stone’ - this was actually a gift that has been temporarily leant back to us to read this year.

Even more wide-ranging than the geological survey, this weaves together information on the geology with the weather, the natural world and human impacts on the landscape.

It would have been lovely to have the sections on flora and fauna with us when tramping in the highlands - I would have been able to answer many more of William’s questions!!!

[David Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. Everything you need to know about Scottish mountains.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good introduction to anything you might see on a Scottish mountain - be it a rock, a bird or a mammal. There are more detailed books available for each distinct area, if you really want to know the ins and outs of glacial landscapes for example, but this is a great starting point for anyone curious about just what they are looking at when they are out and about.

[Frances]

This reference book that I dip into from time to time contains useful information about the geology, vegatation, and wildlife of the Scottish Highlands - especially useful to me because part of my novel-in-progress takes place in the West Highlands.

[Grim-Anal King · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a turgid textbook style than I had anticipated. Lots of information to take in, so probably more use as a reference book than as a bedtime read. The complexity of the chapters seemed to vary quite considerably.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly dense - definitely a reference book. The bulk of the focus is on the underlying geology and the vegetation cover of Scottish uplands. A little too generalist for me (and kinda lacking on the invertebrates front) but definitely a good gateway book for hillwalkers/climbers etc.