Edinburgh, 137 Cowgate, Tailors' Hall
No Class (Event)
Site Name Edinburgh, 137 Cowgate, Tailors' Hall
Classification No Class (Event)
Canmore ID 78614
Site Number NT27SE 548
NGR NT 25784 73428
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/78614
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT27SE 548 2576 7345
Trial excavation in March 1990 assessed an open area to the N of the Tailors' Hall constructed in the early 17th century. The NE corner of the site had been tested by an earlier test pit, with negative results. A trench was cut diagonally NW to SE across the yard. At the N end the wall footings of the 17th century tenement demolished in 1940 were uncovered. These cut through an accumulation of midden deposits, more than 1m deep, which were not bottomed. The midden butted against a rough sandstone wall aligned NS. To the S of the 17th century tenement wall was a stone-lined pit (not excavated), further midden deposits and two samll, shallow pits. One of these produced coins and pottery dating the feature to the later 15th century. At the extreme S end of the trench slight remains of a structure with two clay-cored, stone-faced wall footings and a flagged floor-surface were excavated. The physical position of this structure and documentary evidence suggest that it must predate the construction of the Hall.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
M Collard 1992.
