Edinburgh, Inverleith Place, Royal Botanic Garden, The Botanic Cottage

NT 24353 75535 Addyman Archaeology were commissioned by The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh to undertake a watching brief during all ground breaking works associated with the re-erection of the Botanic Cottage along the northern perimeter of the Botanic Gardens at Inverleith Place. The project involves the re-use of salvaged materials from the 18th century two-storey building, which stood formerly at the original site of the Botanic Gardens along Leith Walk. Prior to the land's integration with the botanic gardens, it was once part of the grounds of Inverleith Estate; the origins of which can be traced back to the 17th century or earlier. The lack of development on this site, and its near constant use as a green space advocates the strong possibility for the survival of in situ medieval or prehistoric deposits, providing important information on land usage prior to the formation of the Inverleith Estates. The watching brief undertaken during groundbreaking works demonstrated that no archaeological features survive across the site. Natural sand and clay subsoils directly underlying the imported garden soils were encountered across the entire development area. No archaeological artefacts were recovered, with all finds encountered dating to the 20th century and confined to the imported garden topsoils. The lack of archaeological finds or features predating the development area's association with the Botanic Gardens suggests a levelling of the subsoil may have taken place in the past, possibly in preparation for use as a nursery in the late 19th century.

Information from Andrew Morrison (Addyman Archaeology) September 2014. OASIS ID: addymana1-190282

Photographed during the reconstruction of the cottage in the Royal Botanic Garden.