Edinburgh, Canonmills, Royal Gymnasium

NT 2530 7476 As part of the Playing The Past Project (PTP), designed to explore the physical history and built heritage of some of Scotland’s most important football clubs, a programme of archaeological work was undertaken within the former ground of St Bernard’s Football Club, and the former Royal Gymnasium, both located in what is now King George V Park in Edinburgh’s New Town. Currently, the site is used as a public park and local sports ground, and is managed and owned by the City of Edinburgh Council. The archaeological work was managed and supervised by Archaeology Scotland and was undertaken in consultation with The City of Edinburgh Archaeologist, John Lawson, with support from volunteers from Crisis Skylight Edinburgh and Worldwide Volunteers. It took place intermittently between May 2015 and December 2019.

The archaeological works comprised a three-day archaeological excavation of two (out of four planned) small trenches located on the north-western extent of the former football ground, and previously the Royal Gymnasium. The trenches were sited across the recorded location of the former terraces of the football ground. Through excavation of the trenches, the project aimed to investigate any surviving remains of the former St. Bernard’s FC football ground and the Royal Gymnasium and to explore their phasing, construction, and how they were used and eventually abandoned. To provide additional background information to inform the excavation and other elements of PTP project work, map regression analysis leading to a basic desk-based assessment was undertaken of the study area, King George V Park.

The trenches (Trench 2 and 4) measured 2 x 1.5m by up to 1.2m deep, and 3 x 1m by 0.3m deep respectively. Excavation revealed the presence of deposits likely relating to the levelling of the last St. Bernard’s football ground dating to 1924, undertaken post-1949, prior to the creation of King George V Park. The nature of the deposits suggests that at least some of the material likely originally derived from the nearby coal depot. The depth of deposits encountered suggests that there is the possibility of finding remains associated with earlier features/structures (such as the 1901 St. Bernard’s ground and the Royal Gymnasium rotary boat) beneath the excavation level reached so far.

A second phase of work, including a walkover survey in and around the park, was undertaken by Archaeology Scotland staff in December 2019, in order to identify any surviving upstanding features associated with the football ground and to record the nearby Rodney Street Railway Tunnel. A few elements, namely part of the eastern terrace of the 1924 ground, and a 19th-century revetment wall, archway and access ramp, were identified and recorded within the park during the survey, together with the well preserved Rodney Street Railway tunnel and pathways in the eastern part of the park, which likely represent the remains of former railway lines.

Archive: NRHE

Funder: Archaeology Scotland; Historic Environment Scotland; National Lottery Heritage Fund

Héléna Gray – Archaeology Scotland

(Source: DES Vol 21)

NT 25295 74755 An archaeological evaluation was also carried out to identify any remains associated with the Royal Gymnasium that incorporated an amphitheatre and leisure facilities, which included curling and skating rinks. Fragmentary remains associated with the Royal Gymnasium were identified. These appeared to be part of a small building annotated Statuary Room on the 1876 OS Town Plan. No surviving elements of the Show Hall or Refreshments Bar were located.

M. Cressey and G. Carruthers – CFA Archaeology Ltd, 2020

(Source: DES Vol 22)

OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-376172

NT 25304 74768 A watching brief and excavation were carried out in during the redevelopment of 34 Fettes Row.

The watching brief revealed no features associated with the Royal Gymnasium or earlier deposits relating to the former Cannonmills Loch, with no other archaeological features or deposits uncovered.

The excavation revealed the truncated remains of the late 19th-century rotary boat ride called The Sea Serpent.

Information from D. McNicol – CFA Archaeology Ltd, 2022.

OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-436967