KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF Please choose one ADMINISTRATION AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS COMMUNICATIONS CONFLICT CULTIVATION ENCLOSURES ENERGY EXTRACTION FLOODING GRAZINGS HOUSING KNOWLEDGE LEISURE MANUFACTURE PERCEPTION SETTLEMENTS TRADES Pre-Christian Religion Christian Religion Education Authority Belief Systems Peat moss, Portmoak, Kinross-shire Peat was an important fuel in Scotland until the 19th century, and over much of the Highlands and Islands to this day. It is formed by the accumulation of dead vegetation in airless, waterlogged soils over many years. Under a covering of heather and other vegetation, the peat could be several feet deep. Peat cutting took place in summer and was carefully regulated so that each community knew where it could extract peat. Peat mosses were located in commons. These were divided up in the 18th and 19th centuries among the estates which held grazing and peat-cutting rights. The commonty of Portmoak Moss was divided in 1831. By 1839 there were no commons left in the parish. Resource pack   1     2     3     4