Modern forestry practices are playing an important role in recording and protecting historic structures and sites within and around commercial timber forests.

A collection of shielings – roughly constructed huts used while pasturing animals – nestled amidst a mature Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) timber block near Inveraray in Argyll and Bute were the most recent additions to historical records, highlighting the benefits of the way in which forestry is now done.

Tucked away in a little bend in Allt nam Muc burn, the shielings had not previously been recorded on any historic maps but thanks to the environmental survey conducted by FLS staff ahead of sale and harvesting, the remains of the historic structures are now registered as part of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service’s (WoSAS) records.

FLS Environment Ranger Megan Curtis who submitted the details of the shielings said:

“A large part of my job is doing checks before any operational work is started including ahead of any harvesting work. This is to identify and then protect vulnerable wildlife and habitats along with any historical features. With this information operational colleagues can meet environmental and conservation standards.

“The shielings are surrounded by mature conifers and past practices may not have demanded that specific measures were taken to protect and record them. But today, there is a strong focus on ensuring the natural and cultural heritage on the land we manage is protected, conserved and enhanced.

“FLS policy is to put a buffer around shielings and other historical structures to protect their heritage features when planting new forests along with working with relevant organisations to record and preserve them. At this site, we will carefully remove any regeneration and put a buffer around the shielings to protect them from future felling and restocking operations.

“WoSAS, logs, updates and provides advice on managing heritage features in the area. It’s amazing to see the number of historic features their maps show and it’s important for FLS to continue to contribute to this important database.”

Shielings were used in Scotland for at least two thousand years, from the end of the Iron Age until they were largely phased out in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, in remote areas like the Outer Hebrides they continued to be used until the mid-20th century.

The shelters were part of a seasonal farming practice called transhumance – a system that involved moving livestock to upland pastures during the summer months.