ABSTRACT

This chapter describes a case study in the Highlands of Scotland concerning the native Caledonian Forest, and the work to help restore it from its degraded state, initiated in the late twentieth century. It begins with an introduction to the forest, including its ecology and historical background, and then describes its depletion by humans. This is followed by details of the restoration work that has been carried out, particularly by the conservation charity Trees for Life, which aims to restore the forest as a fully functional ecosystem, complete with all its constituent species. The case study concludes with a vision for the future, in which the Rights of Nature would be paramount, extrapolating how the Caledonian Forest restoration work could achieve its full potential, accompanied by a paradigm change in wider Scottish human culture and society.