Season by season – and whatever the weather – Scotland’s countryside is an endless source of wonder, enjoyment and discovery, whether on mountains or heather clad moorlands, in glens, rivers and lochs, or its myriad islands. In landscapes that can even light up at night with spectacular auroras, there is something to admire, not least because Scotland is home to many animals and plants rare or absent in other parts of Britain. Here you’ll find capercaille, pine martens and mountain hares, golden eagles and leaping salmon. Scotland even has its own rainforest.

As well as its unique natural history, Scotland’s countryside has engrossing tales to tell. It has megaliths as old as Stonehenge, treasured remnants from Roman invasions and cairns with vivid histories. So many places still echo to victory and heartbreak, myth and mystery, and to the deeds of kelpies and selkies. Here you’ll discover why it has inspired so many artists, poets and film makers over the centuries.

As you explore Scotland’s countryside, you’ll find the answers to these intriguing questions.

• How much carbon is stored in Scotland’s precious peatlands?
• As well as Loch Ness, which other lochs are home to mysterious creatures?
• What is airglow and how does it form in the Highlands?
• How, according to legend, did midges prevent Scotland from invasion?
• Why were red deer once called ‘fairy cattle’?
• What attributes make red squirrels so active?
• Where can you find reindeer, ancient horses, jelly lichens and the world’s oldest fossil?

This is a handy little book that is jam packed with facts on the Scottish Countryside. It came into its own on a family weekend in Perthshire, as we took turns to choose facts with which to one-up each other.

My personal favourite factoid was learning that a rare ribbon of light that sometimes appears during an aurora is called Steve (strong thermal emission velocity enhancement) after an animated squirrel who is the star of the film Over the Hedge. 

There is a wealth of interesting information for wildlife and plant fans, but these are woven together, just as they are in Scotland’s countryside, with the myths and legends that our wild land has inspired over the centuries.

Ruth Binney has been studying the natural world for most of her life. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has been involved in countless publications during her career as an editor. She is the author of many successful natural history and gardening books including Weeds on Trial 9781910821275, Flower Garden Secrets 9781910821428, The English Countryside 9781910821459 and Coasts 9781910821398. She lives in Cardiff.