Sir John Lister-Kaye

Sir John Lister-Kaye is one of Scotland’s best-known naturalists and conservationists and also an accomplished author. As a young boy in Yorkshire, he trapped dust highlighted by sunbeams in jars and hid them under the sheets to see if they would shine in the dark. After resisting attempts by his family to direct him into industry, Sir John came to Scotland in the late 60s to work with Gavin Maxwell. He now runs the Aigas Field Centre just outside Beauly. Their new environmental education centre was opened last year by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Sir John was appointed the first Regional Chairman for the Highlands & Islands of Scotland for Scottish Natural Heritage in 1991. He has also served as Chairman of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland, President of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission and the UK's Environmental Training Agency, and is Vice President of the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland. He broadcasts regularly on Radio 4 and appeared on Midweek to talk about this book.