Modern farming is characterised by large regular rectilinear fields but there are fields still in use where curvilinear field boundaries survive. They are generally found in the upland fringes of farmed land. These medieval or post-medieval field edges reflect the less-intensive scale of farming before agricultural improvements were introduced in the 18th or 19th centuries.
The small farmstead at Craigbirnoch in Galloway is surrounded by two different types of field boundaries. Those to the right are characteristic of medieval or post-medieval curvilinear-shaped fields, while those to the left are 18th or 19th century in date. Historical and current OS maps note these features.
HES DP105937
