Excavation

Date 15 September 2013 - 22 September 2013

Event ID 993847

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/993847

NT 51700 74089 A programme of community archaeology was undertaken, 15–22 September 2013, as part of the Peter Potter Gallery Monument Project. This work was supported by East Lothian Council Archaeology Service and brought together 11 schools and over 200 local people to excavate in Hardgate Park on the site of ‘Bothwell Castle’.

Bothwell Castle is a late 16th- or early 17th-century town house, which consisted of a main block running N–S and two wings which extended E to the river, enclosing a small courtyard. A circular tower projected at the front SW angle, while at the E end of the S wing was a rectangular dovecot integral with the wall.

Excavation in the upper levels showed the building is still upstanding (2–2.5m high) towards the river and the courtyard is intact to ground floor level. The vaulted kitchen chamber has lost the vaulting and the cellar has been filled with rubble hardcore. A doorway and window sills were uncovered, but the building was demolished to ground level in 1952.

The lower river walkway is buried beneath over 1.5m of sand; however, examination of the river wall confirmed the presence of a range of structures along Hardgate, which is now parkland. These include a complete set of post 1548 Siege town houses and hints that some of these may have foundations that date to the 16th century or earlier.

Archive: Connolly Heritage Consultancy and RCAHMS

Funder: Connolly Heritage Consultancy and Peter Potter Gallery/HLF

David Connolly, Connolly Heritage Consultancy, 2013

(Source: DES)