Glasgow, Queen's Park

NS56SE 181 579 621

NS 579 621 An archaeological field survey of Queen's Park on the S side of Glasgow was carried out by ACFA as part of a range of local heritage studies commissioned by Glasgow City Council. The survey was based on a study of aerial photographs, maps and historical sources, as well as a detailed physical survey of the park area.

The park contains a notable earthwork (NS56SE 32) which was partially excavated by Fairhurst and Scott (PSAS 85, 1950?51), and the park is directly associated with the Battle of Langside, 1568. The park falls into two sections. The NE part was created from the improved land of Pathhead Farm. It was landscaped in the 1860s, largely to designs by Sir Joseph Paxton. The SW part was cultivated up to the late 18th century when it became part of the grounds of Camphill House. It was not incorporated into the park until the 1890s. This part preserves pre-Improvement features, such as rigs and boundaries and landscape elements associated with Camphill House.

A total of 16 features were recorded in the park, all of them traces of former boundaries, or rig and furrow, or landscaping, none of them of any great archaeological significance. The disposition of Moray?s forces at the Battle of Langside (drawn up on ground now inside the park) was clarified by reference to the topography and contemporary accounts. A new contour survey of the earthwork was produced to compare with Fairhurst and Scott?s plan of 1950-51. This contour survey emphasises the discontinuous nature of the enclosure and the fact that it does not make effective defensive use of the hilltop.

Sponsor: City of Glasgow Council Parks and Recreation.

D Topen 1996