Archaeology Notes

Event ID 713250

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/713250

NT27SE 425 253 735

The Scots Magazine for 1754 records: "About the middle of June, some workmen employed in levelling the upper part of Mr Ramsay's garden, in the Castle Hill, fell upon a subterraneous chamber about fourteen feet square, in which were found an image of white stone, with a crown upon its head, supposed to be the Virgin Mary; two brass candlesticks; about a dozen of ancient Scottish and French coins, and some other trinkets, scattered among the rubbish. By several remains of burnt matter, and two cannon balls, it is guessed that the building above ground was destroyed by the Castle in some former confusion." Wilson considers this may have formed a portion of the ancient Church of St Andrew though, from Maitland's description, the site should perhaps be looked for somewhat lower down the bank. It is thus alluded to by him, - "At the southern side of the Nordloch, near the foot of the Castle Hill, stood a church, the remains whereof I am informed were standing within these few years, by Professor Sir Robert Stewart, who had often seen them. This I take to have been the Church of St Andrew, near the Castle of Edinburgh, to the Trinity Altar, in which Alexander Curor, vicar of Livingston, by a deed of gift of the 20th December 1488, gave a perpetual annuity of twenty merks Scottish money."

W Maitland 1753; D Wilson 1873.