The next lecture in the Isle of Man College’s History & Heritage lecture series takes place on Wednesday 20th April, when Andrew Johnson from Manx National Heritage will be talking about upland farming and, specifically, the routes by which livestock used to be moved from individual farms to common summer pasturage in the hills.

The remains of over 50 medieval seasonal settlements, or ‘shielings’, in upland locations are testament to the heavy exploitation of the Island’s uplands for common grazing. Most of these settlements are just a few kilometres from the home farms whence their occupants decamped each summer to take animals to graze on the hills.

Despite the short distances involved, the creation of routes along which these animals could be moved without damaging crops played a significant part in the delineation of traditional landholdings through or past which livestock had to be driven. Effective boundaries were a preoccupation for Manx lawmakers from at least the early 15th century onwards and the legal requirement for such stockproof barriers has played a major part in the creation of the Manx landscape we see today.

By combining evidence from historical maps, surviving public rights of way, field observation and map-regression, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge of these old trackways leading from farm to upland.

Andrew’s lecture, “The Way to the Hills: moving from farm to common without treading on others’ toes”, take place in the Lecture Theatre at Elmwood House at 6pm on Wednesday 20th April. All are welcome, and no booking is required. Parking for the lecture is at Thie Ushtey (off Greenfield Road).

Andrew Johnson is the Field Archaeologist and Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Manx National Heritage. He has had an interest in the archaeology of the Manx uplands since he was a child.

The History & Heritage lecture series showcases new research in history and heritage, both on the Isle of Man and further afield. Further details about the lecture series can be found online at http://catrionamackie.net/lectures/.

The first two lectures in the series are now available to view online.

Photo: A country lane climbs towards Archallagan, whilst in the background tracks lead through farms up to grazing land high on Beary Mountain.