Shieling

A shieling (Scottish Gaelic: Àirigh) is a hut on a seasonal cattle pasture high in the hills, once common in upland or rural places in Scotland. Oval, circular or rectangular on plan, they were often constructed of dry stone or turf, with a small doorway and without any window openings. More loosely, the term may denote a seasonal mountain pasture for the grazing of cattle in summer. Seasonal pasturage implies transhumance between the shieling and a valley settlement in winter. Many Scottish songs have been written about life in shielings, often concerning courtship and love. The ruins of shielings are a relatively common feature in upland Scotland, particularly the Highlands and many are depicted on Ordnance Survey maps.