Edinburgh, Buccleuch Street, Mr Thomson's Land
Cultivation Remains (Period Unassigned), Ditch(S) (Period Unassigned), Water Channel (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Edinburgh, Buccleuch Street, Mr Thomson's Land
Classification Cultivation Remains (Period Unassigned), Ditch(S) (Period Unassigned), Water Channel (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Meadow Lane; Buccleuch Place
Canmore ID 207704
Site Number NT27SE 4519
NGR NT 26070 72800
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/207704
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
Trial Trench (19 January 2015 - 10 February 2015)
A total of eight evaluation trenches were excavated over a period of four days. Trenches 1-4 were located in the eastern half of the site, while trenches 5-8 were located in the western half. In addition, a full photographic record was produced of all external elevations of all garden walls and buildings affected by the proposed development.
Results of the archaeological evaluation showed that a significant quantity of Victorian and Georgian garden soils and garden related features survive in situ below the modern car park surface and the levelling deposits that underly it. These deposits of garden soils were uncovered across all excavated trenches, while trenches 1, 2, 4, and 8, revealed a network of garden walls that correspond to the Ordnance Survey 1st edition maps of 1852. Late 19th and early 20th century structures and courtyard
surfaces were located within trenches 3, 5, and 6, and are thought to relate to the further industrial development of the site, corresponding with features shown on the Ordnance Survey 2nd edition maps
of 1905 and 1932. Underlying the Victorian and Georgian garden deposits, earlier features and cultivation soils were uncovered within trenches 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. These features are thought to relate to the open orchards
and cultivated feu lands that occupied the proposed development area prior to the 17th century.
Information from Andrew Morrison (Addyman Archaeology) December 2015: OASIS ID: addymana1-203358
Standing Building Recording (19 January 2015 - 10 February 2015)
A full photographic record was produced of all external elevations of all garden walls and buildings affected by the proposed development at Buccleuch Place and Meadow Lane. Detailed, measured hand drawings were also produced, at a scale of 1:20 of the coach house scheduled for demolition in the southeast corner of the western half of the site. Where applicable, pre-existing architectural drawings have been marked-up with phasing information as necessary.
The programme of archaeological building recording included a complete photographic record of all structures and features, including boundary, and garden walls scheduled for demolition. Measured hand-drawings of the interior and exterior elevations with phasing were also produced for the coach house at No.10 and 11 Meadow Lane.
Information from Andrew Morrison (Addyman Archaeology) December 2015: OASIS ID: addymana1-203358
Excavation (10 February 2016 - 8 April 2016)
Addyman Archaeology was contacted by JM Architects and the University of Edinburgh in order to undertake archaeological monitoring and excavation of an area within Edinburgh's South Side, between Buccleuch Place to the north and Meadow Lane to the south. It is proposed to refurbish the 18th century structures along Buccleuch Place and to develop the mews along Meadow Lane for use as student housing. Cultivation furrows and ditches predating the 1780s development of Buccleuch Place were found, and a large ditch, 4.42m wide and 2.8m deep, running parallel with Buccleuch Street, was excavated. A sandstone capped and lined water channel was excavated at the base of this ditch. The midden and garden soil deposits, walls, postholes and garden path features associated with the Georgian garden plots between Buccleuch Place and Meadow Lane were sampled, excavated and recorded.
Information from Philip Karsgaard (addyman Archaeology) April 2016.
OASIS ID: addymana1-253635