As the oldest living inhabitants on the planet, trees have played a major part in the way we live today, providing both the daily oxygen we breathe and the foundation of our nations heritage. Every native tree in Britain, whether its part of a grand avenue, a thriving hedgerow, an ancient wood or a colourful orchard, tells a different story.

The Trees That Made Britain takes us on a journey of discovery to every corner of the nation. Through detailed portraits of individual tree species, author and photographer Archie Miles reveals the stories of the trees that have influenced the culture, myths and fabric of the nation.

The book is full of surprising facts on how trees have been used by man over the centuries, from the oak used in the building of HMS Victory to ancient longbows made from yew, as well as practical advice on visiting some of Britains finest living examples. The combination of rich historical material and lyrical descriptions captures the essence of our native tree species.

Author : Archie Miles

Edition : Ebury Publishing, Hardback, 256 pages

ISBN : 9781785946998

Published : 6th May 2021

Weight: 364g
Dimensions: 222 x 144 x 26mm

'There is no mystery in this association of woods and otherworlds, for as anyone who has walked the woods knows, they are places of correspondence, of call and answer... Different aspects of the forest link unexpectedly with each other, and so it is that within the stories, different times and worlds can be joined.' - Robert Macfarlane 

An ode to the world around us, the small pockets of wilderness that we sometimes forget to look out for.  A beautifully written invitation to explore and be amazed.  An exploration of connecting layers.

Author : Robert Macfarlane

Edition : Granta, Paperback, 352 pages

ISBN : 9781847080189

'Most works of mountain literature are written by men, and most of them focus on the goal of the summit.  Nan Shepherd's aimless, sensual exploration of the Cairngorms is bracingly different.' - Robert Macfarlane

In this masterpiece of nature writing, Nan Shepherd describes her journeys into the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. There she encounters a world that can be breathtakingly beautiful at times and shockingly harsh at others.

Her intense, poetic prose explores and records the rocks, rivers, creatures and hidden aspects of this remarkable landscape. Shepherd spent a lifetime in search of the 'essential nature' of the Cairngorms; her quest led her to write this classic meditation on the magnificence of mountains, and on our imaginative relationship with the wild world around us.

Composed during the Second World War, the manuscript of The Living Mountain lay untouched for more than thirty years before it was finally published.

Why Novel North Recommends

‘An inspiration to engage with the majesty and intricacies of the natural world. Nan Shepherd’s writing is evocative and observed, taking us with her to peaks, inlets and glass like surfaces.  It’s a nourishing read, capturing the vibrancy of seasons, even in the seemingly dreariest of moments.  An invitation to pause.’

Author : Nan Shepherd

Edition : Canongate, Paperback, 114 pages

ISBN : 9780857861832

Join Alistair Moffat venturing down Roman roads, pilgrim routes and sea roads, foraging through forests and down embankments, as he rediscovers Scotland’s lost roads. Walk in the multilayered shadow of history.

Author : Moffat, Alistair

Edition : Canongate Books Ltd, Paperback, 336 pages

ISBN : 9781786891037