Professor Iain Stewart presents a landmark five-part series in which he reveals how Scotland's unique and beautiful landscape has been shaped over the centuries.

In this first programme, he uncovers how, over thousands of years, the actions of mankind and the climate nearly led to the downfall of Scotland's trees and forests. It was only in the 18th century that man realised the extent of the damage to timber stocks, and measures were taken to re-populate the landscape. The impact was profound, but not everyone agreed with the results.