Upland by Ed Douglas review – a glorious survey of Britain’s high places

Ed Douglas’s latest book, Upland, is a revelatory exploration of Britain’s high places. It challenges our assumptions about the very nature of mountains, moving beyond the bleak portrayal of harsh, unforgiving environments to reveal a more nuanced and complex history.

For too long, we’ve viewed the British uplands as rocky outcrops suitable only for sheep grazing. Geologists have emphasized their rugged landscape and sparse vegetation, while cultural factors have perpetuated the Romantic notion that mountains are sublime but inhospitable to human habitation. However, Douglas’s book paints a far more detailed picture using archaeological and geological evidence.

The high places were once teeming with life – lush forests, craggy peaks, and gorges home to megafauna like mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, and giant elk. This is not just historical curiosity; it has significant implications for our understanding of the British environment. The uplands have always been complex ecosystems rather than simply rugged landscapes devoid of life.

This perspective has important consequences for conservation efforts, which have long focused on preserving these areas as wildernesses – pristine environments untouched by human activity. However, Douglas’s account reveals that this narrative is also oversimplified. Early human societies had a profound impact on the environment, but their relationship with these lands was far more complex than we’ve been led to believe.

The Politics of Mountainous Landscapes

One striking aspect of Upland is its exploration of the politics surrounding mountainous landscapes. Douglas reveals how the definition of what constitutes a “mountain” has been subject to competing claims and interests over time. In the 1930s, US geographer Roderick Peattie proposed that mountains should be defined by their capacity to inspire imagination rather than solely by elevation or geological characteristics.

However, this approach was eventually supplanted by more rigid, scientific definitions. The United Nations’ efforts to protect high places from environmental and economic decline in the 1990s relied on quantitative criteria – measurable indicators of a region’s suitability for human habitation. This shift towards scientism has reduced mountains to mere statistics rather than living ecosystems.

Britain’s Mountainous Legacy

The legacy of these landscapes on British culture and society is significant. The Romantic movement’s emphasis on the sublime power of mountains has had a lasting impact on our national identity, influencing writers from Wordsworth to Wainwright. However, Douglas’s book also raises questions about the role of mountaineering in shaping our relationship with these landscapes.

Has the pursuit of summit-hopping and mountain-bashing led us to overlook the cultural and ecological significance of these areas? By prioritizing human achievement over environmental preservation, have we inadvertently contributed to the decline and degradation of Britain’s uplands?

A New Perspective on Conservation

Upland offers a powerful critique of conservation efforts in Britain’s high places. While well-intentioned, these initiatives often rely on outdated assumptions about the nature of mountains – viewing them as pristine wildernesses rather than complex ecosystems.

By embracing a more nuanced understanding of these landscapes, we can work towards a more inclusive and sustainable approach to conservation. This requires recognizing that our actions have consequences for the land itself, rather than seeing ourselves as separate from or superior to the natural world.

A New Era in Mountain Studies

Ed Douglas’s Upland is a call to action – a reminder that we have the power to shape our relationship with these landscapes. By embracing a more inclusive and ecological understanding of mountains, we can work towards a more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: Britain’s mountainous past is just as complex and fascinating as its present. It’s time to rewrite our story – one that acknowledges the intricate web of ecosystems, human cultures, and geological processes that shape these high places.