Native

A powerful, deeply personal account of farming, heritage and ecological loss in Galloway — a Times Bestseller and Wainwright Prize–shortlisted modern classic.

Patrick Laurie’s acclaimed memoir explores the fragile links between people, cattle and wild birds in a landscape undergoing profound and irreversible change.

About the Ebook

Native is a moving, sharply observed memoir about land, loss and belonging in southwest Scotland. Desperate to reconnect with his native Galloway, Patrick Laurie throws himself into restoring his family farm — not through modern industrial methods, but by working with one of the oldest and most traditional cattle breeds: the Riggit Galloway.

As he learns to care for these hardy animals, Laurie uncovers how deeply cattle once shaped the people, ecology and culture of this remote region. But he also confronts the stark reality of a landscape transformed: communities have vanished, ancient farming traditions have faded, and vast commercial forests have replaced open moorland.

This ecological shift has had devastating consequences — none more symbolic than the catastrophic decline of the curlew, a bird woven into Galloway’s identity. The fragile relationship between people, cattle and wild birds becomes the emotional core of Laurie’s story as he faces the truth of life in a landscape on the brink of disappearance.

A Times Bestseller and shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing, Native is a vital, beautifully written reflection on heritage, stewardship and the future of rural Scotland.

“Remarkable, and so profoundly enjoyable to read… Its importance is huge.”
— Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

Critical Praise

"A vital, heartfelt meditation on land, loss and the fragile ties that bind people to place."

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A deeply personal memoir rooted in the landscapes and traditions of Galloway.
• Explores ecological change and the decline of iconic species like the curlew.
• Rich, evocative nature writing with emotional and cultural depth.
• Perfect for readers of rewilding, rural memoir and environmental literature.
• A standout Birlinn title and modern classic of Scottish nature writing.

About the Author

Patrick Laurie is a writer and farmer based in Galloway. His work focuses on rural culture, ecology and traditional farming practices. Native became a Times Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing. He is widely recognised for his insight into the connections between people, land and wildlife.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Imprint: Birlinn

Publication Date: 2 April 2020

Print Length: 240 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788852579

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Categories: Nature Writing & Gardening

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