Wild Galloway

Ian Carter is a naturalist and author. He worked as an ornithologist at Natural England for many years and was closely involved with the Red Kite Reintroduction Programme. He now spends his time watching and writing about wildlife.

‘This book is a delight: gentle, sympathetic and thoughtful, and accurate, informative and knowledgeable.’ Mark Avery, Standing up for Nature blog‘…like some of the best of this kind of writing, Wild Galloway beckons us out of [our] armchair. Smile, make the effort, all is not lost. This stuff gladdens the heart, like tea and toast in a farm kitchen.’ Barry Larking, ECOS‘In his wonderful new book, he introduces us to Galloway’s wild places and the wildlife that lives there. An entertaining and thoughtful account…’ Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine‘…seasoned with thoughtfulness. Carter thinks his way around the landscape and through his interactions with wildlife: he has the thought processes of a keen naturalist and an easy way of expressing this.’ Stephen Rutt, British Birds'Gentle, thoughtful and sensory… A better introduction to this glorious area is hard to imagine.’ John Muir Trust Journal'It is a pleasure to be in Carter’s observant company as he explores the foreshore, camps on an island, clambers through ancient woodland beside a burn or ascends through tussock and bog to the high tops of Bengairn.’ James Robertson, British Wildlife‘…a lovely book, a joy to read, the sort of book that provides much-needed relief from everything that's going wrong in the wider world.’ Undiscovered Scotland ‘This gentle, thoughtful book offers a sensory account of the area’s wild inhabitants – all within walking distance from the author’s new home. Ranging from sea to summit, it reveals a snapshot of the sheer variety of wildlife and habitat found in what is an often overlooked part of the country.’ Scottish Wildlife‘Anyone buying this book will, I am sure, enjoy and appreciate the writing and wonderful talent of a very skilled naturalist and storyteller.’ Steven Rutherford, British Naturalist‘Wild Galloway describes beautifully the topography and the wildlife in the glen around the author’s house. … an easy, pleasant and enlightening read…’ Alan Stewart, Wildlife Detective blog‘… laid back, relaxed, but still informative and insightful … like having a conversation with Ian whilst being out and about with him. Enjoyed and recommended.’ Ian Parsons, Author and naturalist‘… an exhilarating new book … an exquisitely written account of the habitats and wildlife around his adoptive home in this part of south-west Scotland.’ The Wryneck blogspot‘Carter has good form for producing poignant, reflective wildlife writing… Give this book a read – it is easily digested, thoughtful and I’m sure you will find yourself nodding along in agreement on many occasions.’ Josh Jones, Birdwatch ‘Ian Carter writes in the truly authentic voice of one who not only really understands nature but is constantly and positively overjoyed and awed by it. An ornithologist he may be, but he is also a skilled amateur enthusiast in all disciplines of natural history, from botany to geology. Human history looms large too, as he discusses the impacts of our presence on the land, from ancient to modern day.’ Jon Carter, BTO book reviews