Summer 2009 - Scottish Natural Heritage

Coffee-table books and TV nature programmes often leave us
with the impression that people who study wildlife have to be
professional scientists leading expeditions or cameramen with
thousands of pounds worth of technical equipment.
Some of them are, but others have nothing more than a pencil and notebook,
allied with binoculars and the patience to observe and record what they see.
The Highland Naturalists project celebrates those who, over the last 300
years, have contributed much to our understanding of Scotland’s wildlife. Some
are old, some are young, some are male, some female – there are even some
husband and wife or father and daughter ‘teams’. What they all have in common is
an interest in the world around them and the willingness to record what they see.
People also assume that in a small country like Scotland we must already
know all there is to know about our wildlife, but nothing could be further from the
truth. There are literally thousands of Scottish native plants and animals about
which we know very little.
The Highland Naturalists project has two main elements. Firstly, an exhibition,
most recently on display in the Caithness Horizons museum in Thurso and SNH’s
Inverness headquarters. The exhibition features a selection of 15 naturalists and
some of the equipment and other materials associated with their work.
The second element is the website www.highlandnaturalists.com, which forms
a longer-term legacy with a global audience. It currently features 35 naturalists
and we’re awaiting further nominations of people to be added to this ‘roll of
honour’.
Seton Gordon (1886–1977) devoted
his life to lecturing and writing about
the landscapes, wildlife, history and
traditions of the Highlands and Islands.
He demonstrated two vital skills
of the naturalist: keen observation
and careful recording. But he also
had time to enthuse and encourage
others, irrespective of their ages
or backgrounds. This photo of him
was taken by his wife Audrey as he
examined the prey items at the nest of
a golden eagle. His standard fi eld kit
included the kilt!
www.snh.org.uk 31