Prehistoric Remains
times, when the stone implements were in use, trees were growing in the islands, and traces of these ancient woods and thickets survive in the roots which are still found in our peat bogs. That this was the case even after the arrival of the Norsemen seems proved by the appearance of place-names of Norse origin referring to woods and trees. Dr. Jakobsen mentions Skooin Brenda, a place in Quarff, which he derives from Old Norse skoginn brenda—the burnt wood; Brennya, a croft in Fladabister, from brenna—burnt land; Rees (Quarff), a croft, from hriss—brushwood; Krapp, a croft at Gulberwick, from Norwegian Krape—brushwood; Hoolin Brenda, a croft at Norwick, Unst, meaning the burnt knoll; and Ribrendadelds, in Setter, North Roe, from deild—a portion of land, brend—burnt, ryden—brushwood. Bruntland, Brunthammarsland, and possibly Lund (Icelandic Lundr—a grove) are other examples. The story of the burning of a wood in Foula by the Lewis men
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