53 George Street, The Pend

NX 445 402 Archaeological services were provided in connection with alterations to the Listed building at 53 George Street. The building lies at the junction of Bruce Street and George Street and forms the N side of The Pend which leads up to the medieval priory and graveyard. The work comprised the removal of blocking of W-facing windows in the room above The Pend; removal of wet-dash render on the exterior N side of The Pend; and fabric analysis and construction of a phasing plan for the development of the building.

An originally late medieval structure was substantially rebuilt in the post-medieval period. The original structure, interpreted as a gatehouse with a building attached on the N side, was entered from within The Pend. This entrance was subsequently blocked, with the building then being accessed from the street frontage. There are indications that the original building may have lain at right angles to the street and that The Pend may have originally been covered with a barrel vault.

Full reports have been lodged with the NMRS and Dumfries and Galloway SMR.

Sponsor: Mrs Julia Muir Watt.

C Lowe 1998

NX 445 402 Recording and survey work was carried out on the building as described above. The work was carried out by hand and records were taken using drawings and photographs. Five Phases have been assigned to the development of the buildings. These start in the late 15th century and continue through to the twentieth century. The report recommends that the removal of the wet-dash from The Pend is highly desirable and that the scar of the barrel vault roof should be preserved. It also recommends that any ground disturbance should be archaeological monitored. Further analysis of the building materials will also help to test the hypotheses proposed in the report.

Sponsor: Mrs Julia Muir Wall

NMRS MS/899/105 (Headland Archaeology Ltd. 30th September 1998)

NX44SW 58 4454 4020

Incorporates duplicate record, NX44SW 39.