Transhumance Quotes

“Earlier this year I visited the township of Bragar on the Isle of Lewis to research shielings. I was told the story of a local resident, Mr. Campbell, who lived through the end of transhumance on the island in the 1950s. Mr. Campbell readily recalled that the summers of his youth, spent at the family's àiridh on the Lewis moor, were the happiest time of his life; yet, when his family ceased to keep dairy cows on their croft, he refused to go out to the shieling any more: without the cows, what was the point? The essence of life at the shielings was gone.”
― Charles Fletcher, Reforesting Scotland 72: Autumn/Winter 2025

“The Pont map produced c.1590 shows woodland lining the entire course of the Edendon Water, the river artery running through the centre of the estate. It shows woodland cover starting at the southernmost boundary where the Edendon joins the River Garry and ascending the entire 14.3 km. of the Edendon Water, rounding Am Meadar and far up into the Cama' Choire. The entire catchment of the Edendon is 42 square km., set entirely within Dalnacardoch.

An archaeological survey undertaken in 2004 recorded 232 individual structures, associated with industry, military and transhumance activities.”
― Sam Buckland, Reforesting Scotland 73: Spring/Summer 2026