A number of books have been published recently by members of the Society.
Flowers of Iona by Jean M Millar; NEW edition 2006
This is the only guide to the botanical richness of the famous and sacred Hebridean island of Iona. In this third edition, the list of flowering plants is brought up to 335, along with rushes, grasses and ferns and an informative guide to the local habitats. Botanical, Gaelic and common names are included.
The late Jean Millar was a botanist and artist, active in the Glasgow Natural History Society and a regular visitor over many years to Iona, where she had family links.
The book has eight fine, full-colour illustrations by the author, showing flowers from Heath, Bog-land, Machair, Rock-face, Shoreline and Springtime plus individual plates of Yellow Iris and Bluebell. These plates are also available as cards.
48pp, A5 paperback, retail price £4.95
ISBN 0-9538938-3-9
Cards: one-sided, A5, pack of 8 different designs £4.00.
Published by The New Iona Press and available by mail order from E.Mairi MacArthur,The Bungalow, Ardival, Strathpeffer IV14 9DS.
(tel/fax: 01997-421186; mairimacarthur@yahoo.co.uk)
A Garden of Herbs, Traditional uses of herbs in Scotland by Agnes Walker is published by Argyll. It is available from bookshops at £12.99 (GNHS members may purchase direct from Agnes at £10.00). It considers the medical evidence for the therapeutic traditions associated with some herbs; culinary, aromatic and cosmetic uses are also noted, together with applications such as the dyeing of natural fibres.
The Changing Flora of Glasgow is the first comprehensive Flora of the Glasgow area since JR Lee's 1933 Flora Of The Clyde Area, and is available from bookshops, price £30.00 (£20.00 to members of GNHS). The main authors, Professor Jim Dickson, Keith Watson and Dr Peter Macpherson are all experienced botanists and members of GNHS. Photographs are by Norman Tait, an experienced photographer, who is also a member of the Society. It is published by Edinburgh University Press.
Plants and People in Ancient Scotland by CA Dickson and JH Dickson is published by Tempus Publishing, price £25.00.
Loch Lomondside by John Mitchell describes the topography and economic development of Loch Lomondside, including forestry, agriculture, water storage and supply, but above all its natural history, and the long struggle for the area's wild places. It is published as one of the "New Naturalist" series by HarperCollins, price £19.99. |
