Newstead, Barnethead Lane Townhead Farm

NT53SE 141 5643 3424

NT 5642 3426 A proposal for a residential development prompted an archaeological evaluation at the abandoned farms of Townhead and Barnethead at the E end of Newstead, some 200m from the W annexe of the Roman fort. The objectives were to determine whether a road that ran from the W gate of the fort continued through the site, and to investigate whether any medieval or early post-medieval buildings had stood on the N side of Main Street in this part of the village.

Approximately 200m2 was excavated although, with the exception of the upstanding remains of a 16th or 17th-century cottage in the extreme SW corner of the site [NT53SE 239], no evidence of any structures or features earlier than the 19th-century farm were uncovered. Similarly, no pre-19th-century artefacts were retrieved from any of the trenches.

Sponsor: Soutra Homes.

J Lewis 1999

A proposal for a residental development at two adjacent abandoned farms (Townhead and Barnethead) prompted a field evaluation of the sites archaeological potential.

The derelict, roofless building is thought to date from the 16th or 17th century [NT53SE 239] although it is known to have been occupied well into 20th century. It is a single-storey building probably with a loft in its roof space although no evidence survived

Information from Scottish Borders Council