Repopulating the Braes: Shieling practice, upland seasonal industries and agricultural practice in post-medieval Scotland

This research will investigate the relationship between shieling practice and other seasonal upland industries in post-medieval Scotland in order to repopulate, in the collective imagination, supposedly 'empty' places oncefilled by this common transhumance practice. Through walkover survey and test excavation the relationship between shieling hut sites and other rural upland features will be interrogated to reorientour understandings of upland places, an important aspect of Scottish rural life for which we havefew comprehensive archaeological studies. With the re-introduction of crofting today it is important we critically considerfactors relating to the socio-economic sustainability of life in upland landscapes.