Watching Brief
Date 21 December 2015 - 23 March 2016
Event ID 1026591
Category Recording
Type Watching Brief
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1026591
A programme of archaeological works were undertaken at Castlehill, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire. These were carried out in support of housing development by Auberne Homes, under the recommendations of The West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WoSAS), who provided guidance on the structure of archaeological works required. Following on from previous investigative works in the form of an archaeological evaluation also carried out by Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, the monitoring works were designed to mitigate the impact on any surviving archaeological remains within the development area. The evaluation revealed what was thought at the time to be potential structural remains relating to the foundations of New Cumnock Castle, with the moat located to the south-east of this. However, reduction of the area proved this to be boulders incorporated within a clay deposit, possibly representing the demolished stonework of the castle ruins, re-used as a platform prior to the construction of the Free Church. Evidence of the presence of the moat purported to locate in this area was established, in the form of grey/blue clay. These deposits appeared to be the upper fill of the moat, in the sense that the moat had been sealed prior to further construction works in the area in the 17th century. Evidence of the moat within the areas to the north-east and north is still extant, as the topography is still visible within surrounding gardens of houses, having not yet been fully filled in and landscaped. While historical mapping indicates the site of the castle surrounded by the moat, broadly located within the area of the housing development, no evidence for remains of the castle foundations were encountered during the course of the archaeological monitoring works. The evidence seems to suggest that any remaining trace of the castle in the area was demolished to make way for the construction of the Free Church between 1843 and 1845.
Information from OASIS ID: rathmell1-231400 (D Gorman) 2016
