The History and Significance of Shielings in Scotland

Shieling is a traditional Scottish term for a summer pasture or grazing area, typically located in the hills or mountains. It refers to an area of land where sheep or other livestock are allowed to graze during the summer months, when the ground is covered with lush vegetation. The term is derived from the Old Norse word "sjá" meaning "to see", as the shepherd would watch over their flock from a distance while they grazed in the shieling.

In Scotland, shielings were often located in remote areas, such as glens or valleys, and were used by farmers to allow their sheep to graze on the rich summer pastures found there. The practice of taking sheep to the shieling was an important part of rural life in Scotland, and many communities had their own traditional shieling grounds that were passed down through generations.

Today, the term "shieling" is still used in Scotland to refer to a summer grazing area, but it has also come to be used more broadly to describe any area of land that is set aside for grazing or other agricultural purposes.