Sustainability in the Scottish Highlands
A Critical Ethnography of a Community Biosphere
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Edinburgh University Press
Publishing:31st Aug '26
£95.00
This title is due to be published on 31st August, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This book addresses the topic of sustainability in the Scottish Highlands, offering a critical ethnography of the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It explains what the UNESCO designation means in theory and practice and the community governance model adopted. Framed by critical theory, it unpacks the idea of the Biosphere as an alternative to ‘common sense’, a way to overcome the nature–culture dichotomy and capitalist, colonial ideologies. Zoe Malcolm outlines negotiations of nature–culture relationships, power and scale, focusing on actors within the Biosphere and situating these perspectives in wider national and international contexts. She explores examples such as tourism and place-making, community empowerment, nature conservation, heritage conservation, Gaelic language, crofting and land ownership.
This highly innovative and inclusive study draws on a multidisciplinary methodology to present the first in-depth study of Scotland’s Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in its global context. It is admirably clear-eyed, taking a balanced but analytical perspective, but most importantly brings the experiences of local people and communities engaged and impacted by the Biosphere into focus. -- Annie Tindley, Newcastle University
This critical ethnography demonstrates the power of community governance and convivial conservation to unlock opportunities for just and relational sustainability futures. Dr. Malcolm shows great sensitivity and care in her research with and for the Wester Ross Biosphere, evidencing how UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can address structural challenges by transcending nature-culture divides. -- Marc Metzger, The University of Edinburgh
ISBN: 9781399556521
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
216 pages