Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
Midlothian, Newbigging Opencast Coal Mine
Clearance Cairn(S) (19th Century) - (20th Century), Field Boundary(S) (Period Unknown)
Site Name Midlothian, Newbigging Opencast Coal Mine
Classification Clearance Cairn(S) (19th Century) - (20th Century), Field Boundary(S) (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 273822
Site Number NT25NE 26
NGR NT 278 598
NGR Description Centred NT 278 598
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/273822
- Council Midlothian
- Parish Carrington
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District Midlothian
- Former County Midlothian
NT25NE 26 centred 278 598
Extends onto map sheet NT26SE.
Field boundaries; clearance cairns
NT 278 598 A programme of archaeological excavation was carried out in July 2004. A desk-based assessment and subsequent survey identified 15 features, seven of which were recommended for further work: five cairns and two field banks.
One of the field boundaries was revealed to be a wall along the northern edge of a shelter-belt, the other was a ditch and bank along the southern edge of the same shelter-belt. The cairns are 19th or 20th century. It is probable that the features are all of 19th- or 20th-century origin.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Scottish Coal Company Ltd.
M Kirby and K Clarke 2004
NT 278 598 (centred) A field survey was carried out on 20 February 2004 by CFA Archaeology Ltd.
The survey resulted in the identification of thirteen new sites lying within the proposed development area in addition to the seven sites first recorded by Wardell Armstrong Laird Menzies. The sites relate to the post-medieval use of the landscape for agriculture and mineral extraction.
Sponsor: Scottish Coal.
Karen Clarke, 2004.
NT 278 598 (centred) A programme of archaeological excavations carried out in July 2004 by CFA Archaeology Ltd.
Sponsor: Scottish Coal.
Magnus Kirby, 2004.
NT 278 598 (centred) A programme of archaeological excavations carried out in November 2004 by CFA Archaeology Ltd.
Sponsor: Scottish Coal.
Chris O'Connell, 2005.
NT 278 603 An archaeological evaluation carried out in advance of an extension to Newbigging Open Cast Coal Scheme identified a small cremation cemetery and the remains of a rectangular structure. The cremation cemetery consisted of four confirmed cremations and eleven possible cremations. Evidence of a cremation vessel was found on the surface of two of the cremation pits. These features were not excavated and will be preserved in situ.
The rectangular structure is thought to be a structure annotated 'Fatlips' that appears on a 1766 map by John Laurie. It measures 20m in length by 6.5m in width and stands to a height of c0.4m above the current ground surface.
Sponsor: Scottish Coal
Magnus Kirby, 2006.
Project (21 May 2012 - 1 July 2013)
The effects on cultural heritage interests of the operation and restoration of the proposed surface coal mine at Caulhall Moor. Thirty-one cultural heritage sites and features have been identified within the application boundary. They relate largely to post-medieval rural settlement and agrarian activity. Direct effects resulting from the proposed development are predicted for 14 sites. Two of these are considered to be significant. An unknown effect is predicted for three sites whose current baseline setting is unknown.
Information from H Gray – CFA Archaeology Ltd.
OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-183601
Desk Based Assessment (September 2012)
NT 27470 59815 The HER records that a programme of archaeological desk-based assessment (DBA), survey and excavation were carried out in 2004 (Kirby and Clarke, 2004; Kirby, 2004; Clarke, 2004) in advance of surface extraction operations. The DBA and subsequent survey identified 15 features, seven of which were recommended for further work: five cairns and two field banks. Upon excavation, one of the field boundaries was revealed to be a wall along the northern edge of a shelter-belt, the other was a ditch and bank along the southern edge of the same shelter-belt. The cairns are were of 19th or 20th century. It is probable that the features are all of 19th- or 20th century origin. The features have been removed during surface mining operations and the area has undergone restoration.
Information from H. Gray – CFA Archaeology Ltd.
OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-183601
