Edinburgh, Mortonhall, Army Camp

Photographic surveys were undertaken of two boundary walls within the designed landscape associated with Mortonhall House at NT 25775 68137 and at NT 25885 68322. The first wall marked the northern boundary of the field containing the main part of the Mortonhall Army Camp (NT26NE 90). This wall was in very good condition, standing to its full height of 1.9m on the south facing side and 1.2m on the north-facing side where the soil levels were higher. The second wall, close to Mortonhall Arboretum, was in variable condition, standing to its full height of c.1.8m at the eastern end, but only c.0.5m at the western end.

M. Kirby, CFA Archaeology, December 2011. OASIS-id: cfaarcha1-111885

NT 2585 6808 An excavation was carried out February – March 2010 on part of the former Mortonhall Army Camp. The camp was built for the 16th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry who were stationed there in July 1940, and was later used by the Royal Signal Corps, being finally dismantled around 1950. Three hut bases and two building complexes were excavated. The floor surfaces and walling appear to represent the foundations for Nissen huts and possibly concrete structures. Part of the camp road and several drainage systems were also identified.

Archive: City of Edinburgh Council SMR and RCAHMS

Funder: Commissioned by ERM on behalf of Black and Veatch

Magnus Kirby, CFA Archaeology Ltd

Mike Cressey,

2012

A metal detector survey was undertaken pre-construction of the section of pipeline running from Mortonhall army camp (NT26NE 90) to the road leading to Meadowhead Farm over the site of a supposed Cromwellian Army Encampment (NT26NE 5) in 1650 and 1651. The metal detecting survey aimed to try and identify any artefacts that might be associated with the activities of Cromwell's army. Although a number of finds of potentially 17th century date were recovered none of them could be definitively associated with the Cromwellian troops and the range of potential 17th century finds was so low that it is unlikely that the Cromwellian Army Encampment extended on to the route of the pipeline. The large quantity of casings identified between Grid 34 and Grid 46 suggests that this area may have been a live firing range during WWII associated with the Military Camp (NT26NE 90).

M Kirby, CFA Archaeology December 2011. OASIS-id: Cfaarcha1-111885

A series of archaeological investigations were undertaken in advance of groundworks for the Edinburgh Drinking Water Project which will see the installation of a new water pipeline from the new Water Treatment plant at Glencorse to the existing water treatment plant at Alnwickhall with a spur running, from NT 25354 66630 to NT 25025 67340, to join existing pipework by the City bypass.

The watching brief included the monitoring of upfill operations overlying the possible Roman fortlet at Glencorse (NT26SW 33), and the photographic recording of any field boundaries within the policies (NT26NE 67.13) and designed landscape associated with Mortonhall House prior to their demolition. This programme of work led to the identification of three sites considered to be of archaeological potential: a dyke and the remains of associated rig and furrow cultivation (NT26SE 172)); a single pit containing fire-cracked stone and a single flint flake (NT26NE 374); and a ditch with a right-angled turn (NT26NE 375). Pottery recovered from the base of this ditch suggests that it was modern in date. It may have been either a feature associated with the Mortonhall House designed landscape, or a military feature excavated for military training by troops who were stationed at Mortonhall during World War II.

A metal detector survey was undertaken pre-construction of the section of pipeline running from Mortonhall army camp (NT26NE 90) to the road leading to Meadowhead Farm over the site of a supposed Cromwellian Army Encampment (NT26NE 5).

M. Kirby, CFA Archaeology, December 2011. OASIS-id: cfaarcha1-111885