Watching Brief

Date 28 October 1999

Event ID 1028640

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1028640

The excavation of a small hole, dug to receive a memorial tree, was monitored in October 1999. The excavations lay towards the N shore of the island, with the hole being located at a point 9m N of the foot of the mound immediately to the NE of the nave of the priory church. The hole lay beyond (N of) the limits of maintained land, within a narrow boundary strip leading to the shoreline, and was excavated to a depth of 450mm. A rubble deposit was located, appearing to derive from the demolition of priory buildings, possibly emanating from buildings on the N side of the nave, which have been totally removed. The level area and mound appear to have resulted from extensive landscaping. Whether these features represent part of the later plantation over the island, or part of earlier occupation, is not known. No finds were recovered.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

G Ewart

Kirkdale Archaeology