The Last Wolf
Will be published approx. on 5. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-78027-981-7 (ISBN)
Description
New and updated edition.
In 1743, according to legend, the last wolf in Scotland was killed by a huntsman near Inverness. Long regarded in folk takes and history as a slayer of babies, a robber of graves, a devourer of battlefield dead, its extinction was widely celebrated. But since then, deer have multiplied, destroying the vegetation on which an array of wildlife depends, and it is clear that the entire Highland ecosystem has been thrown off balance by the elimination of a top predator.
Jim Crumley believes the old stories are pure fiction - a distortion of reality which prevents people from thinking rationally about the huge benefits wolves could bring. With reference to wolves in other cultures and places, from the south-west of England to Scandinavia and North America, this is a passionate polemic which argues for the return of the wolf to heal the damaged land.
In 1743, according to legend, the last wolf in Scotland was killed by a huntsman near Inverness. Long regarded in folk takes and history as a slayer of babies, a robber of graves, a devourer of battlefield dead, its extinction was widely celebrated. But since then, deer have multiplied, destroying the vegetation on which an array of wildlife depends, and it is clear that the entire Highland ecosystem has been thrown off balance by the elimination of a top predator.
Jim Crumley believes the old stories are pure fiction - a distortion of reality which prevents people from thinking rationally about the huge benefits wolves could bring. With reference to wolves in other cultures and places, from the south-west of England to Scandinavia and North America, this is a passionate polemic which argues for the return of the wolf to heal the damaged land.
Reviews / Votes
'The best nature writer working in Britain today' * Los Angeles Times * 'Jim Crumley's task is to persuade the human beings of the Highlands that all of our lives would be richer in the presence of wolves. It is, as he acknowledges, a difficult task. If everybody in Scotland was to read The Last Wolf it would become immeasurably easier' -- Roger Hutchinson 'A fantastic writer' * BBC Countryfile Magazine *More details
Edition
New Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
Dimensions
Height: 129 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
232 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78027-981-7 (9781780279817)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Person
Jim Crumley was born and grew up in Dundee, and now lives in Stirlingshire. He has written over twenty books including The Great Wood and The Winter Whale, and has made documentaries for BBC Radio 4, Radio Scotland and Wildlife on One.