Bridget MacCaskill

A well-known naturalist, forester and nature photographer, Don MacCaskill died in May, 2000 while out for a walk in the forest he loved, his camera as ever at the ready. Faced with a collection of between three and four thousand transparences, his wife, Bridget felt that so many of these were outstanding examples of both a gifted photographer and a dedicated naturalist, that some should be made available to others interested in similar pursuits. It quickly became apparent that they also formed a kind of photographic autobiography of the man himself, his concern for nature and his need to try to demonstrate, through his photography, the responsibility of Man to that natural world of which he is a part. Don's 'mate' in most of his endeavours (and a keen naturalist herself), Bridget has put together a book of stunning photography, with text that gives the reader a delightful taste of Nature throughout the seasons and an appreciation of the nature photographer's tasks over the year. The whole work is complemented by the poetry of Jim Crumley, each poem inspired by one of Don's photographs. 'He was a professional forester and a brilliant self-taught naturalist and wildlife photographer. Above all, from our point of view, he could communicate his enthusiasm to others...a huge portfolio of nature photographs of the highest quality. Now we are able to share some of them with her [Bridget]. What I find uncanny, is that in writing the text, she has found and reproduced Don's distinctive 'voice'. Extract from the Foreword by Julian Pettifer.

Bridget MacCaskill has been observing otters for many years and studies undertaken with her late husband Don resulted in books and a film about otters and their environment. Otters are fascinating and delightful creatures but to watch them in their natural habitat requires immense patience over a long period of time and an appreciation of their way of life. For those of us who wish to know more, this book presents an intimate account of an extended otter family. It is written in the form of a story by an unseen observer and tells of the lives of two otter cubs from birth until adulthood, their relationship with their parents and the other otter family on the loch, and their interaction with some of the other creatures there. Enter Coll and Coire, Kyle and Kelpie. All the events in this book are based on actual observation, either from watching the animals themselves or by interpreting signs of their presence. The result is a book that is true to nature and not in the least sentimental. But it conveys a serious message - we must be aware of the need to minimize pollution, disruption of habitat and other harmful intrusions if we are to benefit from the presence of these wonderful creatures. The book should appeal to everyone with an interest in otters and all lovers of wildlife and the natural landscape.

The story of Bodach, Palethroat and Pinknose unfolded to Bridget and Don MacCaskill over a period of 12 patient years. Slowly, the wild otters became accustomed to the scent of the humans around their remote Highland sea loch, and the couple were able to observe the habits and behaviour of these beautiful creatures. Cubs are born and grow up with their parents, and the otters regularly encounter other animals, sometimes with amusing results. Whatever the event, Bridget and Don are there with pen and camera, ready to record the details.On the Swirl of the Tide is a vivid and intimate portrait of the lives of otters in the wild, part of which was shared with the cameras for Central Television's Nature Watch series. The beautiful colour photographs from Don MacCaskill reveal details never before shown, and Bridget's sympathetic writing of the lifestyle and behaviour of these wild creatures is an enchanting account of otter life.