During the 19th century, more than 30 people worked several crofts belonging to the Mackays.

Given its location exposed to occasional fierce winds from the Arctic, it is poor cropland, and has traditionally been used for grazing sheep, mostly Texels and Cheviot breeds.

The land around Aultiphurst is part of the Strathy Point and Laidnagullin common grazings.

This is managed by the grazings committee and is owned by the Scottish Department of Agriculture.

Sheep regularly drown in the wettest parts of the surrounding bogland.