Strathaven author has book on sale in town

Jan 28 2010 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

A SUCCESSFUL Strathaven writer's latest work, telling the story of local forests, is now on sale in the town.

From Peat Bog to conifer Forest, by Ruth Tittensor, was first published in June 2009.

This book was shortlisted for the Saltire Award.

An excerpt from the book states: “By 1900, only five per cent of Scotland was tree-covered.

“However, during the twentieth century, large-scale planting of coniferous tree significantly enlarged the area of woodland.

“Afforestation was driven by the Forestry Commission at the bidding of governments which knew home-grown timber was desperately needed.”

This book focuses on the associated social, agricultural and ecological changes to the Whitelee Plateau, where Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire meet.

Importantly, it contains in-depth oral history presenting the experiences of the community which lived and worked there and of the officials whose job it was to buy the moorland and convert it to forest.

They describe how their lives changed when they became involved in preparing and planting Whitelee Forest and as the tree monoculture grew.

In the present century space is being made in Whitelee Forest for wind turbines to generate electricity.

This book is available from The Computer Shop, 34 Barn Street, Strathaven or by mail order on 0845 126 0765, priced £25.

FORESTRY: right, the book From Peat Bog to Conifer Forest, which is now available to buy in Strathaven, describes the afforestation of the area and how it affected communities.