Scotland's Foreshore - (Scotland's Land) by John Macaskill (Paperback)

About the Book

Scotland's Foreshore tells the story of the battle that took place during the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century between the Crown and private proprietors over the ownership of the foreshore.

Book Synopsis

The ownership of Scotland's foreshore has been a matter of a prolonged controversy. In the past, the debate centered on whether the shore was owned by the Crown or by adjacent proprietors and on how, and by whom, Crown-owned foreshore should be managed. Scotland's Foreshore tells the story of the battle that took place during the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century between the Crown and private proprietors over the ownership of the foreshore. Drawing on his expert knowledge of law and its evolution, MacAskill provides new and valuable insights into the foreshore controversy and the contest between proprietors and the Crown and he discusses the important issues as to the management of the foreshore, issues that culminated in responsibility for the management of Scotland's Crown-owned foreshore being devolved to the Scottish Parliament at a time when the question of land ownership is central to Scottish political debate.

From the Back Cover

'Rights over Scotland's foreshore were contested for much of the nineteenth century. Drawing on an extensive array of printed and archival sources, John MacAskill examines the arguments, the litigations and the legislative initiatives. The result is a ground-breaking account of a neglected area of Scottish public and private affairs.' Kenneth Reid, University of Edinburgh The story of the Crown's challenge to Scottish foreshore ownership The ownership of Scotland's foreshore has been a matter of prolonged controversy. In the past, the debate centred on whether the shore was owned by the Crown or by adjacent proprietors, and on how - and by whom - Crown-owned foreshore should be managed. Scotland's Foreshore tells the story of the battle that took place during the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century between the Crown and private proprietors over the ownership of the foreshore. Drawing on his expert knowledge of law and its evolution, John MacAskill provides new and valuable insights into the foreshore controversy and the contest between proprietors and the Crown. He discusses the important issues concerning the management of the foreshore - issues that culminated in responsibility for the management of Scotland's Crown-owned foreshore being devolved to the Scottish Parliament at a time when the question of land ownership is central to Scottish political debate. John MacAskill is a retired solicitor and an Honorary Fellow in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of We Have Won the Land: The Story of the Purchase of the North Lochinver Estate by the Assynt Crofters Trust (1999) and The Highland Destitution of 1837: Government Aid and Public Subscription (2013). Cover image: The Isles of Fuday and Barra from Smeircleit, South Uist (c) espy3008/iStockphoto.com Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-3691-5 Barcode

Review Quotes

Rights over Scotland's foreshore were contested for much of the nineteenth century. Drawing on an extensive array of printed and archival sources, John MacAskill examines the arguments, the litigations, and the legislative initiatives. The result is a ground-breaking account of a neglected area of Scottish public and private affairs.--Kenneth Reid, The University of Edinburgh

This comprehensively researched and wholly first-rate book has ended my ignorance of these matters.... As a result of its being a substantial and innovative contribution to the history of Scotland, this book would anyway be important. But it is all the more significant because it appears at a point when responsibility for Crown-owned resources in Scotland has been devolved to the Scottish Parliament.--James Hunter, University of Highlands and Islands "Rural History"

This is a rich volume. MacAskill has been meticulous in his research and the result is a fascinating guide to the history of the controversies regarding the ownership and management of this valuable natural resource.--Jill Robbie, University of Glasgow

About the Author

John MacAskill is a retired solicitor and an Honorary Fellow in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh. He is the author of We Have Won the Land: The story of the purchase of the North Lochinver Estate by the Assynt Crofters Trust (1999) and The Highland Destitution of 1837: Government Aid and Public Subscription (2013).