Arbroath Abbey, Churchyard

Oblique aerial photographs of Arbroath Abbey, Angus, taken by John Dewar in September 1970.

Photographs of gravestones in Arbroath Abbey churchyard by Mrs Betty Willsher.

Twelve trenches were excavated by CFA Archaeology within the grounds of

Arbroath Abbey as part of the Minor Archaeological Services Call Off Contract between 3rd and 20th February 2020, to test a range of geophysical anomalies and to try to answer research questions on the extent of 19th/20th century clearance and the survival and sensitivities of any archaeological remains within the grounds.

It is apparent that archaeological structures and deposits do survive

in this area, particularly in Trenches 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12: Stone walls were recorded in Trenches 1 and 7; A linear clay feature with a groove was recorded in Trench 3; Negative cut features were recorded at the base of Trenches 3 and 5; Two concreted, flat-topped sandstone structures were recorded in Trench 6. Their purpose and function is unknown but it is almost certain that they were contemporary and functioned together; Possibly in situ medieval deposits were recorded in Trench 8; The top of a possible vaulted flue was recorded in Trench 9; A metalled surface was recorded in Trench 12.

Several trenches did not contain any archaeological features: these

are Trenches 2, 4 and 10. The presence of live tree roots did not

allow the full evaluation of Trench 11.

Information from: Stuart Mitchell and Oliver Rusk (CFA Archaeology) August 2020

OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-386049

NO 6433 4138 A watching brief was carried out during the groundworks associated with the construction of a temporary scriptorium within the grounds of Arbroath Abbey on 1 March 2022. No features or finds of archaeological significance were observed.

Archive: NRHE and Angus HER

Funder: Historic Environment Scotland

Dave McNicol – CFA Archaeology Ltd