Edinburgh, Holyrood Park, Dunsapie

210. Homesteads and Enclosures, King's Park.

In the S.E. corner of the terraced area (RCAHMS 1951 No. 211, i) that faces Dunsapie fort, within the angle formed by the Queen's Drive and at a distance of up to 120 yds. above it, are the remains of three homesteads [NT27SE 87]; they are of a type familiar in the Borders, but as yet rarely reported from N. of the Tweed, which can he described as consisting of a scooped-out enclosure with several floors, often at different levels. They have been described in detail by Mr. R. B. K. Stevenson (1), as follows:(i) An enclosure (Fig. 429D [DP 149972]) measuring 85 ft. in width by 65 ft. from front to back, with a probable entrance in the S.W. corner; the enclosure is subdivided into four, and an annexe impinges upon the N.W. corner. (ii) A second enclosure (Fig. 429E) 35 yds. downhill from the first, measuring 80 ft. in width by 85 ft. from front to back; it also contains four floors. Certain external additions of enclosures and floors have been made to this enclosure. (iii) A third enclosure (Fig. 429F), downhill from the second, has been partly cut away by the Queen's Drive. This also has flanking structures.

In addition to the foregoing, there is also the trace of a small circular structure, lying above the first enclosure. Mr. Stevenson suggests that the uppermost enclosure was superseded by the second one; also, that the enclosures were anterior to some, and contemporary with others, of the cultivation terraces in the vicinity (No. 211). Three other scooped enclosures are noted at other points in the Park. 2 One, a little larger than the second of the three mentioned above, and containing five floors, is situated on the E. side of Dunsapie Crags (Fig. 429G [NT27SE 145]). This enclosure impinges upon a terrace system older than itself. Another, with a diameter of 100 ft., lies 200 yds. S.W. of the Windy Gowl (Fig. 429H [NT27SE 88]), while a third, which is 120 ft. in width by 55 ft. from front to back, lies 130 yds. W. of the Hawse (Fig. 429J [NT27SE 89]). Traces of several floors and external additions can be seen at the last-named site.

RCAHMS 1951, visited c.1941

(1) P.S.A.S., lxxxi (1946-7), pp. 159 ff. (2) Ibid.

OS Map Midlothian iii S.E. (unnoted).

Survey confirmed the previous description of the scooped settlement. It is approximately 33m long, 20m wide and c. 4m deep. There is a path running north to south through the scooped settlement causing erosion, especially to the banks. It appears that the bank of what is termed above the annexe of the fort, kinks around the side of this settlement perhaps suggesting that the bank was built after the scooped settlement.

Information from Derek Alexander (Centre for Field Archaeology, University of Edinburgh) February 1997, no.24

Alexander 1997

This scooped settlement is situated in the NE corner of the possible annexe to the fort on Dunsapie Crag (NT27SE 49). It measures 28m by 19m within a wall reduced to a stony bank 3.5m in thickness and 0.8m in height, and the interior has been cut into the hillside to a depth of 3m. One circular platform is visible in the S part of the interior, and what may be the remains of another, suggested only by a shallow back-scarp, lies immediately adjacent to the N. The entrance to the settlement is on the E. On the E, the bank forming the E side of the annexe appears to overlie the perimeter of the settlement, although the entrance shows no signs of having been blocked.

The settlement is plotted at 1:5,550 on an archaeological map of Holyrood Park (RCAHMS 1999).

Visited by RCAHMS (ARG), 15 December 1998.

NMRS, MS/726/96 (45-6, no. 24); RCAHMS 1999.

The 2018 CFA Archaeology Ltd condition survey found the site as previously described: a scooped area with banks 0.6m high and 2.5m wide. There was no sign of the path running through the site and the centre of the site is covered in thick grass.

Information from Graeme Carruthers (CFA Archaeology Ltd) July 2018. OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-317194, no.24

Alexander 1997