A STUDENT from Moray has become the first from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to be awarded a prestigious scholarship to undertake new research into upland farms during the Highland Clearances.

Stephen Worth from Findhorn is one of only 19 recipients of the Carnegie-Caledonian PhD scholarship in Scotland this year. It is administered by the Carnegie Trust and will help to cover Worth’s fees and research expenses for three years.

He is using the scholarship to undertake ground-breaking research into the fate of farms which were set up on marginal land after the Clearances – the forced eviction of inhabitants of the Highlands and Western Isles.

Worth, who is 59, said: “Farming practices in the north of Scotland underwent major change between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries.

“Advances in science and technology as well as changes in ideologies led to the demise of communal agricultural systems managed by townships. Many people established their own farms in marginal, upland areas which had previously only been used for grazing in the summer months.

“However, a large number of these farms failed and now lie in ruins.

“I will combine information from archival material such as estate records and historical maps along with archaeological tests such as soil sampling and geophysical survey to gain a wider understanding of why these farms proved to be unsustainable.”

Worth decided to follow his passion for history and archaeology after his retirement from a 38-year career in the Royal Air Force.

He completed a BA (Hons) in archaeology at Moray College UHI before gaining an MSc in archaeological practice with the Archaeology Institute at Orkney College UHI. He is now completing his PhD through the university’s Centre for History, with support from the Archaeology Institute.

He said he was honoured to receive the scholarship: “The Carnegie Trust only award a limited number of scholarships each year to students from all the universities in Scotland. I feel very honoured to have been selected.”

Worth added: “I was unaware that I am the first student from the University of the Highlands and Islands to achieve this and realise that, firstly, I must thank all the lecturers and staff who have supported me throughout and, secondly, seize this opportunity to undertake this research and fulfil a lifelong dream.”

Dr Iain Robertson, a reader at the UHI’s Centre for History, and Worth’s director of studies, said: “I am convinced that combining the approaches of history and archaeology will yield fascinating results and greatly enhance our understanding of the landscape history of the Highlands during this important period.”