Bird man of the Black Isle's final words

A NEW edition of what is held to be the definitive book on golden eagles is to be published this week - more than three year's after the author's death.

In 1997 Jeff Watson wrote The Golden Eagle, detailing the ecology and behaviour of the species after 15 years of research.

A decade later he penned a preface to the second edition while suffering from cancer which was to claim his life just three weeks later at the age of 54.

After his death, a small group of his friends and colleagues began the painstaking task of completing the book.

This Friday the second edition will be formally launched at a ceremony at the Aigas Field Centre, near Beauly, after two years of reviewing the mass of literature and research carried out on the golden eagle since the first book was published, as well as Watson's own updated notes.

The following day a service will be held to dedicate the headstone on the conservationist's grave in the Black Isle.

Jeff Watson died in September 2007 and in one of his final acts the previous month, he began his preface: "It is an uncertain time for me as I begin writing in very poor health and, sadly, I may not see the day of final publication.

"I have confidence in my band of colleagues who have agreed to collaborate to the end."