Conservationist Roy Dennis, who advised the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, has been named on the longlist for the 2025 Highland Book Prize. His book explores the role of Highland cattle in conserving the capercaillie, a declining woodland grouse in Scotland. The nomination highlights efforts to raise awareness about wildlife habitats through literature.
Roy Dennis, a bird of prey specialist, provided guidance to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project during its early stages, focusing on the care and release of golden eagles. His expertise extends to broader conservation issues, as detailed in his nominated book, The Highland Cow and the Horse of the Woods: How Highland cattle can help save the capercaillie. This work addresses the population decline of the capercaillie in Scotland and proposes the use of Highland cows to improve woodland habitats for the bird.
Upon learning of his inclusion on the longlist, Dennis expressed modest pleasure. "It’s very nice, I’m pleased at that," he said. He described the book as specialized but noted its appeal: "It’s a specialised book but of course when you have a book with Highland cows in, that makes it very beautiful." The recognition, he added, helps sustain interest: "The good thing about being recommended for it is it raises the profile of the book again."
Dennis wrote the book out of concern for the capercaillie's future. "It was written because I am increasingly worried about the loss of capercaillie in Scotland," he explained. "I was pointing out that in that book the relationship between the future of the capercaillie and the use of the Highland cow."
The longlist features 12 titles across fiction and non-fiction genres. Another Borders nominee is Peebles writer Kerri Andrews, whose book Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom also made the cut. Organized by the Highland Society of London and Moniack Mhor creative writing centre, the prize celebrates works tied to Highland culture, themes, or authors from the region. Supported by the William Grant Foundation, the longlisted books will be highlighted through events. The shortlist is due in May, with the winner announced in June, receiving £2000 and a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor.
