Dunbar, Harbour, Lamer Island, Battery

A battery was built on Lamer Island in 1781, principally to protect the town from privateers during the later stages of the American War of Independence. It has a rounded seaward front designed to deflect artillery and is fitted with several embrasures for heavy guns. In later times the structure was used as an isolation hospital and for invalids returning from the First World War. The structure has been listed category 'B'.

Information from ‘The Scottish Burgh Survey, Historic Dunbar: Archaeology and Development’, (2006).

In 2007 a programme of historic building recording work was commissioned by the Dunbar Harbour Trust as part of a Conservation plan which is being prepared prior to the development of the site as a visitors centre. These works were required as part of the objectives of a stage one lottery grant. Dunbar Harbour Trust have asked East Lothian Council Archaeology Service (ELCAS) to advise on the archaeological works required. The works will be undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group and overseen by the Dunbar Harbour Trust, advised by Ms Biddy Simpson of ELCAS. The work was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group on the 18thSeptember 2007. The survey identified that the D-shaped Battery (red sandstone ashlar faced and rubble core) underwent at least six phases of alteration as it developed from a late 18th century military Battery fortification to become an invalid hospital for soldiers during the First World War. The Battery became ruined after a fire in 1937 which destroyed the hospital building. Many of the footings and features of its military life are present although often in a fragmented form. All standing remains of the hospital structure have been removed, although the presence of a central drain and channels for iron framing are still visible in the fabric of the building.

AOC Archaeology Group (A. Rardin) OASIS ID: aocarcha1-50851

NT 6811 7934 A programme of historic building recording work was required as part of a conservation plan for the development of Lamer Island as a visitor centre. The survey from 18-24 September 2007 identified that the D-shaped Battery underwent at least four phases of alteration as it developed from a late 18th-century military battery fortification into an invalid hospital for soldiers during the First World War. Many of the footings and features of its military life were present, although often in a fragmented form. All standing remains of the hospital structure have been removed, although the presence of a central drain and channels for iron framing are still visible in the fabric of the building.

An archaeological evaluation was also required and investigated a total area of 59m2 on the island. A number of previously unknown structural archaeological remains were recorded, such as a blocked-off passageway or guardroom and stone settings for a wooden gantry or platform. The original floor surface of the upper level of the battery was recognised. An exterior cottage structure was also investigated.

Archive to be deposited with RCAHMS.

Funder: Dunbar Harbour Trust.

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Dunbar Harbour Trust to undertake a programme of archaeological trial pitting related to site investigation works at Lamer Island, Dunbar, East Lothian (NGR; NT 6811 7934). A series of seven 1 m by 1 m trial-pits were hand excavated across the 18th century Battery uncovering a series of wall foundations, flagstone floors and formation levels.

Information from OASIS Id: aocarcha1-250545 (R Engl) 2016

NT 68113 79358 A watching brief was undertaken, 13 September 2016 – 24 February 2017, during the excavation of the former medieval battery of Lamer Island, prior to and during consolidation works. A previous test pit survey in June 2016 had discovered a series of wall foundations, flagstone floors and formation levels together with some 18th- and 19th-century pottery sherds. An element of historic building recording was also undertaken of the exposed vaults, which were discovered after the removal of a blockage to their main entrance on the SE side of the battery. The excavations also uncovered the base of previously obscured walls to the centre of the battery and a small room to the S corner.

The battery was reused in the later 19th century as a hospital. The hospital consisted of the main two-storey block to the SE of the structure with its associated vaults (a former magazine) also reused, together with a large building to the S corner, which was used as a fumigation house for the hospital.

The excavations exposed a number of original features and the original floor levels of all three of the structures. The excavations to the N of the site identified the remnants of walls, which probably related to the hospital building, as well as six gun-emplacements in good condition. The excavations to the main entrance to the exterior SW side of the battery entrance identified the foundation of a small structure, probably cottages for the hospital.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Dunbar Harbour Trust

Diana Sproat and Anne-Aymonne Marot – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES, Volume 18)

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by the Dunbar Harbour Trust to undertake an archaeological watching brief on the excavation of the former battery of Lamer Island in Dunbar East Lothian, prior to and during consolidation works on the site. The work follows on from a Conservation Plan undertaken by AOC in 2007 and a test pit survey undertaken in June 2016 which discovered a series of wall foundations, flagstone floors and formation levels together with some 18th and 19th century pottery sherds. An element of historic building recording was also undertaken of the exposed vaults building, which was discovered after the removal of blocking of the main entrance to it to the SE side of the battery. The excavations also uncovered the base of the previously obscured walls to the centre of the battery as well as the small room to the south corner of the battery.

Information from OASIS ID: aocarcha1-287559 (R Murray) 2017