Patrick Laurie

Patrick Laurie is a Sunday Times Bestselling author from Dalbeattie. His books and essays have been shortlisted for a number of major awards including the Wainwright Prize and the Saltire Society Prize.

Things come and go from this blog according to revisions, amalgamations and changes of heart. Sometimes articles are sold from here, and in that case they’ll vanish to reappear elsewhere. Sometimes stuff will disappear altogether because on second thoughts it just wasn’t clean or clear enough and it’s gone to the bin or back to the drawing board.

At first this blog was a diary of farming and conservation, then it became a scrapbook of ideas which couldn’t be made to fit anywhere else. After fifteen years, it seems to have developed a momentum and a character of its own. I think it hangs together, even if I can’t always explain why.

Contact: awplaurie@hotmail.com

15 responses to “Patrick Laurie”

Parker James

February 11, 2011 at 1:01 pm

Patrick–this is quite an ambition and a worthy one, I might add.
I have no advice, as I have no experience with such an enterprise but to say–“do not let the naysayers and curb your appetite for such success”.

Reply
Graeme Dalby

February 14, 2011 at 1:49 pm

I am Project Manager for the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project. Should you want to have a look over there at some stage, just let me know.

Reply
Ginger and Pickles

March 6, 2011 at 5:56 pm

Came across your blog and and finding it interesting, looking forward to reading about your progress.
We also live/work on a grouse moor and may be able to offer some advice 🙂

Reply
Mike Groves

March 22, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Hi Patrick,
Out of interest I left a comment regarding your blog – White on Target a couple of weeks back. Could you kindly clarify why it was deleted?

Regards from Mike.

Reply
Duncan Sinclair Willis

June 3, 2011 at 11:54 am

Just wanted to say well done for taking on such a project. I have been lucky to grow up with grouse and started working with/for them when I was 10 years old. All these years later and I still never take these wonderful birds for granted. All the best with your project and keep up the good work.
All the best,
Duncan

Reply
hd55

December 7, 2011 at 5:03 pm

Hi, what a delight to stumble across your blog. I too have similar interests, although am coming at them from a slightly different angle. I will follow your blog with interest and may, with your permission, keep in contact…albeit electronically. I am hatching a plan that I am hoping will help a group of estates revive local moorland…a huge challenge but no more than the one you have set yourself.

With best wishes
Howard

Reply
Steve Carver

May 15, 2015 at 11:42 am

Patrick,
Just been having a browse through your blog which I’ve read with interest. As a frequent hill-goer with an interest in wildlife and landscape, I’ve begun to notice more and more in the press, as well as on the hill, conflicts between land managers and conservation bodies (though groups like the Heather Trust, GWCT and Songbird Survival appear to be bridging the divide). One thing I have noticed myself has been the apparent increase in the use of traps (Fen and Larsen) in an attempt to control vermin species. Perhaps, I’ve just become more observant in my old age and notice them more, but is this paralleled by an increase vermin like crows, stoats, weasels, raptors, foxes, and if so why are these species on the rise?
Regards,
Steve

Reply
Richard Eckton

November 28, 2015 at 7:17 am

Have a look at Ruffled Feathers blog, Mid Wales bird ringing, Curlew curtain call, Ground nesting birds recovery project. I would like to say
how much I enjoy reading your blog

Reply
New Moons For Old

November 4, 2017 at 5:32 pm

This blog has been my ‘Discovery of the Week’!

Reply
Patrick Harrold

December 15, 2017 at 11:14 am

Hi Patrick,

I have followed your blog on and off for the last few years taking particular interest in Blackgrouse. I would like to start a captive breeding project with a view to releasing these birds into suitable habitat. I think the problems encountered with captive breeding in relation to diet and predator avoidance can in part be overcome.
I’m a hunter naturalist myself…leaning more towards the latter.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter

Reply
1. gallowayfarm
  
  December 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm
  
  Interesting Patrick – would you send me an email to awplaurie@hotmail.com and we can discuss?
  
  Reply
Chris Foster

February 4, 2018 at 8:56 pm

Hi Patrick,
I discovered your blog recently whilst researching a short trip to Galloway, really enjoying your writing. We’ll be in the area from April 3rd – 5th. If any of those might be good for a quick walk on the hill and a chat it would be good to meet. I’m interested in birds, collaborative conservation, landscape, etc., hoping as a southern urbanite to develop my probably limited understanding of practical conservation in the uplands. Drop me an email at c.w.foster@outlook.com if that might suit.
All the best,
Chris

Reply
Rupert Brewer

August 14, 2018 at 12:22 pm

Hi Patrick
Having had great success in reversing the decline in Waders in the Hampshire Avon Valley with the GWCT. My mind has wandered and with the knowledge that Black grouse once were here historically, do you have anything to share regarding their demise in Southern England?

Reply
Jane Shepherd

May 2, 2020 at 1:20 pm

Hello Patrick
I have just finished reading Native. Its a wonderful book to read thank you for sharing your life in it. Sarah who illustrated your cover is an artist friend of mine which is how i first heard of the book. So glad i did. I will be looking out for more from you in the future when you have time. Hahaha
Jane

Reply
Nick Williams

May 15, 2020 at 11:26 am

Patrick. I have just finished reading your book NATIVE. Brilliant. I live in southern England but I have seen curlews in Derbyshire on holiday. I have seen a herd of belted Galloways on Box Hill in Surrey!
I went to school in the countryside in Berkshire in the 60s and I remember flocks of swallows house Martins, saplings with their lovely rasping petit sound among other lovely birds like chaffinches, liners bullfinch, wagtails etc
They’ve all gone now. Sad. I will cherish your book and read it again shortly. Nick

Reply