Culzean Castle
Architectural Element(S) (Slate), Architectural Element(S) (Glass), Seal (Lead), Unidentified Pottery(S) (Post Medieval)
Site Name Culzean Castle
Classification Architectural Element(S) (Slate), Architectural Element(S) (Glass), Seal (Lead), Unidentified Pottery(S) (Post Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Culzean Castle Policies
Canmore ID 296340
Site Number NS20NW 108
NGR NS 23180 09977
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/296340
- Council South Ayrshire
- Parish Kirkoswald
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Kyle And Carrick
- Former County Ayrshire
Trial Trench (10 September 2007 - 18 September 2007)
NS 23180 09977 As part of a project to celebrate the
bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade an archaeological
excavation was undertaken from 10-18 September 2007 to try
and find any trace of the freed slave Scipio Kennedy’s house at
Culzean. Scipio was given his freedom in 1725 and a house was
built for him on the estate at a cost of £90. The precise location
for the excavation was based on overlaying John Foulis’ estate
map of 1755 on to the current OS map. Five trial trenches
uncovered artefacts including window glass, a roof slate, bricks,
post-medieval pottery, bottle glass and a lead seal. While these
may date to the 18th century, no clear in situ structural remains
relating to the house were recovered. The work was undertaken
by volunteers and over 100 children from 5 local primary schools
also took part.
Archive to be deposited with the NTS SMR and RCAHMS.
Funder: The National Trust for Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Excavation (9 September 2012 - 14 September 2012)
NS 23180 09977 Further to work undertaken in 2007 to try to locate the house foundations of the freed slave, Scipio Kennedy, a series of test pits and trial trenches were excavated, 9–14 September 2012, as part of a National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camp. A total of eight 1 x 1m test pits were excavated around the position of the previous trenches on the E side of the road junction down to the Dolphin House. No major deposits of mortar or rubble were recorded although a number of sherds of post-medieval pottery were recovered. In the woodland on the NW side of the road (NS 23170 09986) a 1–2m deep by c20m long whinstone quarry was recorded. Two longer trial trenches were excavated by a mini-digger across the base of the quarry. While this quickly revealed bedrock it also located a couple of areas where mortar deposits adhered to bedrock. In addition, quantities of worked sandstone blocks and fragments, bricks and slates were found. It is possible that these were dumped into the quarry at a later date, but it is also possible that they represent the remains of a demolished structure close by. At the end of one trench close to the road the bedrock steps down and sherds of 18th-century pottery were found along with fragments from the base of an iron footed cooking pot that appears to have contained coal.
Archive: NTS, RCAHMS and South Ayrshire SMR (intended)
Funder: The National Trust for Scotland
Derek Alexander and Christine McPherson - The National Trust for Scotland, 2012
(Source: DES)