On ancient terraces of cultivation, commonly called Daisses

Abstract

Robert Chambers discusses the hillside terraces known in Scotland as 'daisses'. He begins by describing the features of these terraces in various parts of Scotland including on a farm in Peebleshire and on the sides of Arthur's Seat. Although he is certain that they were created by humans, he acknowledges that their use is ambiguous. He notes that some local people believe that these terraces were used as viewpoints for entertainments such as plays, but dismisses this theory and instead argues that they were more likely to be used for cultivation. He cites the use of similar hillside terraces from across the world as evidence for this theory. Chambers concludes by presenting an alternate theory for the use of these terraces as agricultural aides to a bronze foundry on Arthur's Seat proposed by Sir Alexander Dick in 1775.