Upland

A lyrical, deeply reflective journey through Britain’s hills and mountains — blending history, nature writing and personal experience into a rich meditation on time, landscape and human connection.

Ian Crofton explores the high places of Britain with curiosity, wonder and a historian’s eye, tracing the people, stories and natural forces that have shaped them across millennia.

About the Ebook

Upland is a beautifully written exploration of Britain’s hills and mountains — their history, their people, and the profound emotional and spiritual pull they exert. From awe and wonder to fear, longing and acceptance, Ian Crofton traces the many ways humans have related to high places across time.

As he journeys from the gentle Downs of southern England to the wild peaks of Scotland’s far north, Crofton brings to life those who walked these landscapes before us: Neolithic axe‑makers, shepherds, quarrymen, botanists, poets, mass trespassers and pioneering climbers. Alongside this rich historical tapestry, he remains acutely attuned to the present moment — the flash of moss in a bog, the swoop of an eagle, a winter sun sinking into cloud.

Combining personal reflection with deep curiosity about geology, ecology, culture and memory, Upland becomes a meditation on the endurance of hills, the transience of human experience and the shifting nature of time itself.

Locations included:

• Chilterns (following The Ridgeway)
• Malverns
• Snowdon
• Peak District
• Pennines
• Lake District
• Ben Nevis
• The Cuillin, Skye
• Assynt (Suilven)
• Cairngorms

Critical Praise

• "Fascinating and lyrical… A beautifully written celebration of a lifelong passion."
  — Stephen Venables
• 'Rich in memories and beautifully written — a delightful book' - The Scotsman
• 'Informative, evocative — a welcome addition to the nature-writing bookshelf' - Times Literary Supplement
• 'A delightful and unusual book, both personal and impressively wide-ranging in its scholarship — a very fine book that will stand the test of time' - Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal
•  'Skilfully weaves together personal and family stories, prehistory and history, literature, art, geology and nature in a glorious mix of everything the hills have to offer' - Great Outdoors
• 'A wonderfully evocative ode to the high places of Great Britain' - Undiscovered Scotland'

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A rich blend of nature writing, history and travel across Britain’s most iconic uplands.
• Evocative, sensory descriptions of landscapes from the Chilterns to the Cairngorms.
• Deep historical insight into the people who shaped and traversed these hills.
• Perfect for readers of Robert Macfarlane, Nan Shepherd and classic mountain literature.
• A standout Birlinn nature and travel title for lovers of wild places.

About the Author

Ian Crofton is the author of numerous books exploring the intersections of landscape, nature and history. His Walking the Border: A Journey between Scotland and England was praised as “excellent” by both The Guardian and Trail magazine. Fringed with Mud and Pearls was described by BBC’s Countryfile as “really engaging” and selected by The Telegraph as one of the top twenty travel books of 2021. Upland continues his exploration of Britain’s landscapes with depth, warmth and insight.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Imprint: Birlinn

Publication Date: 1 May 2025

Print Length: 304 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788857758

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Categories: Nature Writing & Gardening / Travel Writing, Adventure & Guide Books

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