Regeneration: The Rescue of a Wild Land

The inspiring story of a Highland estate, which was rescued from the catastrophic effects of decades of human interference, and is now one of the most successful examples of rewilding in the UK.

In 1995 the National Trust for Scotland acquired Mar Lodge Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms. Home to over 5,000 species, this vast expanse of Caledonian woodlands, subarctic mountains, bogs, moors, roaring burns and frozen lochs could be a place where environmental conservation and Highland field sports would exist in harmony. The only problem was that due to centuries of abuse by human hands, the ancient Caledonian pinewoods were dying, and it would take radical measures to save them.

After 25 years of extremely hard work, the pinewoods, bogs, moors and mountains are returning to their former glory. Regeneration is the story of this success, featuring not only the people who are protecting the land and quietly working to undo the wrongs of the past, but also the myriad creatures which inspire them to do so.

In addition, it also tackles current controversies such as raptor persecution, deer management and rewilding and asks bigger questions about the nature of conservation itself: what do we see when we look at our wild places? What should we see?

‘A hugely enjoyable and inspiring read’ - Isabella Tree, author of Wilding

‘I commend this book strongly. You will learn a lot. …Painting is not dogmatic; he invites you to think and indeed argue’ - Allan Massie, The Scotsman

‘Andrew Painting is an outstanding new nature writer - and someone we will no doubt hear more from in the years to come’ - Alan McCombes, John Muir Trust magazine