Introduction / The Island / Farming

Run-Rig

The run-rig system of agriculture was practised in the northern part of the country. The name comes from the ridge and furrow patterns usually created. Each person was allocated a number of different narrow strips of land, around fifteen feet wide. This benefited the individual to the extent that the good and the poor land was divided up amongst everyone.

It made agricultural development difficult and it was the landowners who dictated the change in agricultural practices that brought the creation of areas of arable land around and specific to each house.

Long after the end of the run-rig system, evidence of it could be seen west of Cott between Long Sandy Geo and Broad Sandy Geo. There was another bit a little further to the north.