Watching Brief
Date 1994
Event ID 551053
Category Recording
Type Watching Brief
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/551053
NT 2669 7651 Observation of engineering test pits over this site demonstrated the existence of a large linear feature running NW-SE across the site, 3.50m deep and at least 10m wide. The E edge of the feature lay within the site but its W limit was beyond the site boundary. Cut into boulder clay, the feature was filled with waterborne silts; mortared rubble was revealed at the base of the feature, apparently in situ.
The alignment and position of the feature suggest that it is probably the defensive ditch of the French fortifications erected around Leith in the 1550s (NT27NE 2).
Sponsor: City of Edinburgh District Council.
M A Collard and J A Lawson 1994.