The thesis embodies an economic and demographic study of hydro-electric and forestry developments in three regions of the Highlands. An attempt has been made to give not only an indication of the consequences of both within each of the separate regions but also to show the close relationships existing between them and to bring out regional similarities and differences. Changes resulting to the physical environment necessitated an appreciation of the physical geography of each region but only in as far as this was related to economic and social considerations. A "Summary of Findings" and two appendices, one of which deals with a topic of special interest, have been included. Throughout, the text is amply illustrated by maps, diagrams, statistical tables and photographs. References to bibliography used in the text are numbered while photograph references are both numbered and underlined.