In the Western Isles strips of fertile land along the sandy coast (machair) were allotted to crofters as cultivation plots, typically for potatoes or oats. The plots, at some distance from the 18th century or more recent crofts, are unfenced but are separated by narrow, low grassy banks. Buildings are not associated with this land use. Some of these plots have been abandoned since the 1980s.
These narrow strips on the machair at Teampull Bhuirgh on Benbecula are typical of cultivation plots allotted to crofts. Aerial photographs are the prime source for identifying this land use.
HES SC991586
