WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE

Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
1999/2000
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. The format of thisyear’s report has been adjusted so that Councils can more easily identify the quantity andvalue of the work carried out by the Service for them and other clients.
During the report period the West of Scotland Archaeology Service requested from Councils,
or was sent directly, 348 planning applications, of which 151 raised archaeological issues
which required advice from the Service.
The Service received 280 requests for other advice or assistance of varying degrees ofcomplexity, of which approximately 25% were from staff of the employing Councils, 28%from members of the public and 45% from developers and their agents in connection withextant planning applications, pre-application enquiries, or permitted developments. The highpercentage of enquiries from members of the public (includes press enquiries) demonstrates
the continuing interest in the archaeology of the West of Scotland from the constituents of theemploying Councils. This interest was also demonstrated by a good attendance at theService's annual conference during the report period.
The Service prepared 34 briefs or terms of reference to control developer fundedarchaeological work, 32 for the Councils and West of Scotland Water, and 2 for privateclients on a chargeable basis.
Advice and assistance was provided on a retainer basis to West of Scotland Water in 47 cases
during the report period. Much of the work for WOSW is arising from the requirement toreplace water and sewerage infrastructure by 2005 to comply with European requirements.
The peak in the work is likely therefore to be of short duration. Very substantial
archaeological excavations and post-excavation anlysis were funded by WOSW during thereport period.
Archaeological audits were supplied on an hourly charging basis to agricultural advisers for
100 agri-environment scheme applications, and the percentage of archaeological sites undermanagement on farms is rising as a result.
In addition to the annual conference, 4 lectures were prepared and given by staff and 1
professional seminar was held, attended by private archaeological contractors and

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 1 of 1

archaeological staff of other Councils. One issue of the Service's newsletter was produced anddistributed.
Summary Table 1996- 2000
Planning applications

Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
Total

Nos. Received for Comment
96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00
34
55
73
91
32
40
43
35
7
14
14
10
17
25
9
16
6
12
9
8
19
18
20
31
21
16
12
14
14
18
16
28
33
38
29
39
38
52
40
57
8
29
28
19
229
317
293
348

Nos. Raising Archaeological Issues
96/97 97/98 98/99
99/00
11
25
33
42
13
18
15
13
0
5
3
3
10
9
6
8
6
8
3
6
9
9
11
16
12
8
3
6
6
8
6
6
13
19
14
15
18
27
22
25
4
10
16
11
102
146
132
151

Enquiries re Development or Public Information Matters
Nos. Received
96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00
Argyll & Bute
45
62
67
48
East Ayrshire
23
13
31
21
East Renfrewshire
7
13
6
16
Glasgow
29
30
28
39
Inverclyde
88102North Ayrshire
11
13
7
8
North Lanarkshire
13
27
14
15
Renfrewshire
15
12
16
8
South Ayrshire
23
28
14
21
South Lanarkshire
32
33
37
28
West Dunbartonshire
9
8
13
15
General/More than 1Council 50
73
38
59
Total
265
320
281
280

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 2 of 2

1

Running the Service

1.1

Over the year there was much discussion of the future of the Service, including
preparation and completion of the Service’s Business Review in December 1999. It
was noted in last year’s annual report that East Renfrewshire Council had submitted
notice of withdrawal from the Service to take effect on 31 March 2001. This wasfollowed at the end of the report period by similar notices of withdrawal from East,
North, and South Ayrshire Councils to take effect on 31 March 2002. Discussions
continued after the end of the report period about the issue of financing the Service
and agreement was reached on a financial programme for the period 2001-2004 withsubsequent abrogation of the 4 notices of withdrawal.

1.2

From January 2000 there were major developments in the installation of electronicsystems at the Archaeology Service, continuing after the end of the report period.
Some of this was necessary as a result of the so called “millennium bug”, but theopportunity was also taken to update systems which had been inherited from theRegional Council, with the objective of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of
the Service.

1.3

An electronic time recording system was introduced in January 2000 to monitor theamount of time spent on work for individual clients. This had been one of therecommendations of the Business Review. An electronic consultations register was
also designed during the period and brought into full operation on 1 April 2000 to
keep track of all consultations of the Service and their progress. This has been fully
integrated into the Service’s Geographical Information System (GIS) and electronic
Sites and Monuments Record. The GIS facility was extended so that each member of
the Service staff has computer access to it, greatly improving the speed of checking
weekly lists of planning applications and the vetting of archaeological consultations.

1.4

Advice to the Forestry Commission was formally withdrawn at the end of the reportperiod, because of the Commission’s continuing refusal to pay for its archaeologicaladvice, although advice provision had in fact already largely ceased during the period
because of pressure of fee earning work. The Convenor of the Archaeology Service
Joint Committee raised the matter with the Minister for Rural Affairs towards the endof the report period without satisfactory response.

2

Sites and Monuments Record Maintenance and Development

2.1

A grant of £5200 was received from Historic Scotland for development of the Sites
and Monuments Record, principally further work on the archaeological consultation
trigger maps for Argyll & Bute, and purchase of copies of aerial photographs held by
the National Monuments Record in Edinburgh. This grant was not expended until thefollowing financial year.

2.2

During the report period a £10,500 contract was negotiated with the Scottish Cultural
Resources Access Network (SCRAN) for the supply of data and images in respect of
the slide collection held by the Service. The collection amounts to more than 8000
slides, much of it inherited from the Regional Council. The SCRAN contract was
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 3 of 3

undertaken to ensure full cataloguing and accessioning of the slides to the Sites andMonuments Record, so that the collection is accessible both to the staff and the public.
2.3

The Service continues to have voluntary assistance from students on the Glasgow
University archaeology degree course. As part of the course the students are required
to find placements for appropriate work experience. During the summer of 1999
students provided voluntary labour for data entry to the Sites and Monuments Record.
The Service is happy to assist the University in this, as it provides a source of freelabour to tackle some of the Service's considerable Sites and Monuments Record data
entry backlog. It is crucial that the backlog continues to be tackled as the Record isvital for informing advice to the Services' clients.

3

Advice to Argyll & Bute Council

3.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was sought by the Council from the Archaeology Service
over the report period.

3.2

3.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 91 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff. The
reason for the increase is almost certainly the initial supply of electronicarchaeological consultation trigger maps to Argyll & Bute Council which had takenplace in the previous report period. This provides the Council with early warning of
known archaeological issues. Argyll & Bute Council remained the largest Council
user of the development control advice service over the report period.
The 91 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 6
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
10
Archaeological watching brief condition required
22
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development4
No issue or no action possible or necessary40
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)9
Altogether 42 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared 9 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

3.4

During the report period excavations took place in the High Street, Rothesay infulfilment of a condition attached to planning consent for a housing development. This
was the first major archaeological excavation in Rothesay, although there had beenoccasional small scale work in the past. Rothesay is a medieval burgh with a castle
dating to at least the early 13th century, although the burgh itself did not receive its
charter until 1400-1. Little is known about early Rothesay, but the excavation
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 4 of 4

established that there is substantial archaeological evidence of pre-burghal Rothesay in
the High Street, south of the Castle, with finds dating to the 13th and 14th centuries.
This was unexpected as it had previously been thought that settlement at this early
period might be concentrated in the present day Watergate area of Rothesay. There
was considerable local interest in the excavation which took place in July and August
1999, and a couple of members of the Bute Historical Society assisted on site.
3.5

In the report period the Archaeology Service provided major assistance to Argyll &Bute Council in terms of the discharge of the archaeological conditions on the
Kilmartin Quarry extension which had been granted planning consent by the Regional
Council and which has been the subject of substantial public interest and objection. A
brief was prepared for archaeological evaluation of the remaining unexcavated part ofPhase 2 of the quarry in order to assist the developer to restart the excavation which
had been stopped in 1997. All archaeological features within Phases 1 and 2 of thequarry, including the remains of a ceremonial circle of timber uprights, probably
dating to about 3000 BC, have now been fully excavated and recorded, and await postexcavation processing and publication (begun in January 2001).

3.6

Terms of reference were also prepared for mitigative archaeological work during
major restoration works at St Kessog’s Church, Luss which is known to date to themedieval period, but is likely to have much earlier roots. Work on this project started
in 2000 and is being closely monitored by the Archaeology Service.

3.7

4

4.1

4.2

Other Advice
There were 48 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Argyll's archaeology. These
were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
15
From developers/agents:
21
Public service information
From members of the public:
10
Courtesy consultations
From other public bodies (National Trust for Scotland):2
Advice to East Ayrshire Council
Development Plan Advice
Advice was provided to the Council in respect of the archaeological policies in thedraft East Ayrshire Local Plan. In respect of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan theService was approached for archaeological advice in relation to the proposed
Indicative Forestry Strategy and took part in several meetings in this respect over thereport period. The process of preparation of the Indicative Forestry Strategy was stillin progress after the end of the report period.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 35 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 5 of 5

4.3

The 35 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 4
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required
2
Survey of standing structures required
1
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
1
Setting issues
1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
21
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
Altogether 13 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council, as none were required. Nonetheless substantial
archaeological work in advance of development in the Council's area did take place
within the report period, in fulfulment of conditions attached to earlier planning
consents, notably in advance of opencast coal extraction by Scottish Coal at
Pennyvenie, Spireslack and Gasswater. Scottish Coal is adopting a phased approach toarchaeological investigation at all three sites, controlled by their own archaeologicalconsultants, ENTEC. The Service liaises closely with ENTEC, to ensure thesatisfactory discharge of the archaeological conditions attached to the planning
consents.

4.4

4.5

4.6

The archaeological work at Gasswater discovered a small building with a coal burning
hearth and pottery sherds provisionally dating to pre-15th century, and possibly as
early as the 12th century. The site was fully excavated after the end of the report period
and the results will be subject to further analysis and publication. The discovery of thissite is particularly important because there have been very few buildings in Scotlandof medieval date identified outside towns and cities. This discovery will aid
understanding of rural settlement and land use in the medieval period in East Ayrshireand Scotland.
Other Advice
There were 21 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on East Ayrshire's
archaeology. These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
4
From developers/agents:
11
Public service information
From members of the public:
6
At the beginning of the report period the Service continued to provide help to East
Ayrshire Council's Libraries and Museums Service in respect of the potential East
Ayrshire origins of Sir William Wallace. The Service had taken part the previous year
in a Steering Group which guided an investigation into the claim that Ellerslie near
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 6 of 6

Kilmarnock was the birthplace of William Wallace rather than Elderslie in
Renfrewshire. The study by Dr Fiona Watson concluded that William Wallace wasindeed likely to have been born in East Aysrhire. Dr Watson presented the results ofher study at the annual WoSAS conference held in April 1999.
5

5.1

5.2

5.3

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council
Development Plan Advice
A response was provided to East Renfrewshire Council in respect of the initialconsultation on a New Local Plan for East Renfrewshire. In respect of the Glasgow
and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service took part in meetings and discussions
regarding flood appraisal and the environment topic group. Comments were provided
on the archaeological policy content of the consultative draft Structure Plan inNovember 1999.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 10 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 10 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Archaeological watching brief condition required1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
6
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
Altogether 3 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period theArchaeology Service prepared 1 brief or terms of reference to aid the implementation
by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning consents by theCouncil.

5.4

5.5

Evaluation by trial trenching of the site of Pollok Castle near Newton Mearns inconnection with the proposed development of a new house, established that although
the site had been badly damaged in the 1950s, there were still remnants of stone
walling and potential archaeological deposits at the site. There is known to have beena medieval towerhouse at the location but there is no information on its date. The
developer modified his foundation plans to minimise the effects on the extant
archaeological remains but will also have to do further archaeological investigation
prior to building of the house.
Other Advice
There were 16 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on East Renfrewshire's
archaeology. These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
2
From developers/agents:
9
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 7 of 7

Public service information
From members of the public:5

5.6

One of the requests for advice was in connection with the redevelopment of Caldwell
Tower near Barrhead where the Service recommended to the developer archaeologicalevaluation prior to the submission of a planning application. Caldwell Tower is part ofa much larger medieval castle, probably one tower on a curtain wall.

5.7

Assistance was provided to the Carts River Project in respect of the Levern Walkway
from Pollok Centre to Barrhead, skirting the claimed site of Stewart's Rais Tower. The
tower of Rais was built some time between 1437 and 1449 by the Stewarts of Darnley.
As the Tower had been demolished in the 19th century it was not certain that any
evidence of it survived below ground. A watching brief advised by the Service during
construction works established that the base of the Tower survived in good condition.
The walkway was subsequently diverted to avoid any further damage to the Tower
site.

6

Advice to City of Glasgow Council

6.1

6.2

6.3

Development Plan Advice
Advice was provided on suitable archaeological policies to be included in the Glasgow
Local Plan. In respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service
took part in meetings and discussions regarding flood appraisal and the environment
topic group. Comments were provided on the archaeological policy content of theconsultative draft Structure Plan in November 1999.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 16 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 16 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required
2
Other condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)2
No issue or no action possible or necessary5
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)3
Altogether 8 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period theArchaeology Service prepared 2 briefs or terms of reference to aid the implementation
by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning consents by theCouncil. Preliminary discussions took place about the proposed IKEA store at
Braehead and its potential effects on known and unrecorded archaeological deposits inthe area. In the event the IKEA store development avoids the main archaeologicalissue, but the site to its south was proved to have important prehistoric settlement
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 8 of 8archaeological remains within it which were subject to preliminary excavation after
the end of the report period, the significance of which will be summarised in the next
Annual Report.
Other Advice
6.4

There were 39 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
13
From developers/agents:
13
From other public bodies:
2
Public service information
From members of the public:
11

6.5

During the report period the Service made a substantial contribution to the Best Value
Review being undertaken by the City Council's Department of Cultural and LeisureServices, taking part in workshops and presentation to the Core Group. It is hoped thatthe input on the city's archaeology will lead to a more rounded approach to thedevelopment of cultural services.

6.6

Excavation took place at Balmuildy in advance of the upgrading of a road junction
affecting the scheduled remains of one of the forts on the Antonine Wall. The Service
provided advice and assistance to the Council's Road Services to ensure that scheduledmonument consent was obtained, and advised on the tender documents and selectionof archaeological contractors.

7

Advice to Inverclyde Council

7.1

Development Plan Advice
Inverclyde Council sought no Local Plan advice from the Service in the report period.
In respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service took part inmeetings and discussions regarding flood appraisal and the environment topic group.
Comments were provided on the archaeological policy content of the consultative
draft Structure Plan in November 1999.
Development Control Advice

7.2

Over the report period 8 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

7.3

The 8 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
1
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 9 of 9

Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)2

Altogether 6 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period theArchaeology Service prepared no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council. Nonetheless archaeological work took place in the Council
area within the report period in respect of conditions attached to earlier consents.
There was a desk assessment, survey and watching brief of Gourock Pier inconnection with its demolition. This work built on earlier observations in connection
with East India Harbour and was requested under the Service's informal policy ofrecording the industrial archaeology of the Clyde Estuary wherever opportunities
allow.
7.4

7.5

Excavation in advance of the development of the Safeway store in Rue End Street,Greenock, proved disappointing in that no evidence for the medieval St Lawrence's
chapel and burial ground was recovered. The chapel is known still to have been ingood condition in 1760, but developments since that time have removed all traces ofit.
Other Advice
There were 2 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Public service information
From members of the public:2

7.6

There continues to be an active local group of amateur archaeologists who regularly
approach the Service for information and supply information in return for addition to
the Sites and Monuments Record.

8

Advice to North Ayrshire Council

8.1

8.2

8.3

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period. In respect of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan the Service wasapproached for archaeological advice in relation to the proposed Indicative Forestry
Strategy and took part in several meetings in this respect over the report period. The
process of preparation of the Indicative Forestry Strategy was still in progress after theend of the report period.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 31 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 31 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 5
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 10 of 10

Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStandings Buildings Survey condition
No issue or no action possible or necessary
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)

2
7
2
11
4

Altogether 16 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared 2 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.
8.4

Several of the identified applications led to the discovery of major archaeological sites
and features, some of which are of national significance - a medieval building at
Perceton, Irvine; an Irish type Iron Age souterrain (underground building) at the
Auchrannie Hotel, Arran; and a large ditch at Almswall Road, Kilwinning which may
be associated with the abbey or an earlier church. As the archaeological work
associated with these discoveries did not take place until after the end of the reportperiod, the significance of these discoveries will be summarised in the next annual
report.

8.5

During the report period a standing buildings survey of Coldstream Mill took place asa result of a condition on the planning consent for its conversion to a house. Mills arepart of the wealth of Scotland's vernacular architecture and industrial archaeology,
much of which is not listed or protected. Conversion to a house would have damaged
or obscured features of the mill, which required to be recorded before this happened.
The survey results have been placed in the National Monuments Record for Scotland
and the WoSAS Sites and Monuments Record.
Other Advice

8.6

There were 8 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
1
From developers/agents:
1
Public service information
From members of the public:
6

9

Advice to North Lanarkshire Council

9.1

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period. In respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service
took part in meetings and discussions regarding flood appraisal and the environment
topic group. Comments were provided on the archaeological policy content of theconsultative draft Structure Plan in November 1999.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 11 of 11

9.2

9.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 14 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 14 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required
4
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
7
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
Altogether 6 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period theArchaeology Service prepared no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council, as none were required.

9.4

9.5

Archaeological evaluation took place in advance of determination of a planningapplication for the extension to the hardrock quarry at Cairneyhill Quarry,
Caldercruix. Evaluation was necessary because it was known that the existing quarry
had destroyed a prehistoric cairn and also a prehistoric settlement. Experience suggeststhat where there is a concentration of known archaeological features, there are
frequently unrecorded features in the vicinity. The evaluation found that within the
proposed extension area there were two structures of probable medieval date on thebasis of a sherd of 14th century medieval pottery found within the wall of one of thestructures. This was an important find for the same reason as the discovery of amedieval building in the area of the Gasswater opencast coal site in East Ayrshire - thelocations of few rural buildings and settlements of the medieval period have been
identified in Scotland. There was a further enigmatic structure within the area of the
proposed extension which was potentially of prehistoric date. It was left with theCouncil to pursue preservation of these sites in situ, which is the policy as set out in
NPPG 5, or full excavation by the attachment of suitable conditions, if it was decided
to grant consent for the quarry extension.
Other Advice
There were 15 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
4
From developers/agents:
10
Public service information
From members of the public:
1

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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10

Advice to Renfrewshire Council

10.1

10.2

10.3

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period. In respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service
took part in meetings and discussions regarding flood appraisal and the environment
topic group. Comments were provided on the archaeological policy content of theconsultative draft Structure Plan in November 1999.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 28 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 28 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required
2
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
21
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
Altogether 6 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period theArchaeology Service prepared no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council, as none were required.

10.4

10.5

Other Advice
There were 8 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From developers/agents:
5
Public service information
From members of the public:3
At the beginning of the report period a paper was presented at the annual WoSAS
conference on the excavations which had taken place in the previous period atElderslie in connection with the claimed birthplace of Sir William Wallace. The
Service had provided substantial advice to the Council in respect of the excavations,
their interpretation, and the subsequent landscaping of the site. The excavations had
established that there is indeed a medieval site at Elderslie of the right period to be
associated with the Wallace family. The paper about the site at Elderslie made aninteresting counterpoint at the conference to the presentation on the documentary
evidence for Ellerslie in East Ayrshire as being the birthplace. Both papers were wellreceived by the audience at a conference well attended, possibly because of theWallace interest.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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11

Advice to South Ayrshire Council

11.1

11.2

11.3

Development Plan Advice
Advice was provided to South Ayrshire Council in respect of the archaeologicalpolicies in the Consultative Draft South Ayrshire Local Plan during the report period.
In respect of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan the Service was approached forarchaeological advice in relation to the proposed Indicative Forestry Strategy and took
part in several meetings in this respect over the report period. The process of
preparation of the Indicative Forestry Strategy was still in progress after the end of thereport period.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 39 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 39 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 4
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required
7
Survey of standing structures required3
No issue or no action possible or necessary
19
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)5
Altogether 15 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared 2 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

11.4

During the report period a paper was given at the Service's annual conference
summarising the extensive excavations which had taken place in the Girvan area inadvance of development of a waste water treatment works and major extensions to theGirvan distillery. One of the main features of archaeological interest in the area is amedieval moated site which is visible only as a cropmark on aerial photographs. It
may be the medieval ecclesiastical grange (abbey farm) in the local placename
Grangestone. Evaluation in connection with the distillery development has establishedthat there are substantial sub-surface archaeological remains of the moated site, which
so far have been preserved from damage during the various warehouse extensions.
Few of these types of site have been identified in Scotland and it is accordingly anarchaeological site of national importance. It is not clear whether it may yet comeunder threat from further extensions planned by the distillery.

11.5

There continued to be excavations in the medieval part of Ayr in advance ofdevelopment. There have now been several recent excavations in the town, building up
a substantial picture of the quality of archaeological preservation beneath the surfaceof the modern town, as well as adding direct local information on the town's
development.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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11.6

11.7

12

There was small scale archaeological work in some of the other towns in South
Ayrshire, such as Prestwick and Monkton, about which little is known inarchaeological terms, although most Ayrshire towns are known to have a long history.
Most of the interventions have not produced substantial information to date, but it is
only by taking the opportunities presented prior to redevelopment in some of thesetowns that more will be learnt about their past. There is a strong local interest in thearchaeology of Ayr and Ayrshire, particularly from members of local archaeologicaland history societies.
Other Advice
There were 21 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
7
From developers/agents:
9
Public service information
From members of the public:4
Courtesy consultations
From other public bodies (Strathclyde Police):
1
Advice to South Lanarkshire Council

12.1

12.2

12.3

Development Plan Advice
The Service took part in discussions in respect of the proposed South Lanarkshire
Minerals Plan. In respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan the Service
took part in meetings and discussions regarding flood appraisal and the environment
topic group. Comments were provided on the archaeological policy content of theconsultative draft Structure Plan in November 1999.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 57 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 57 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 8
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
5
Archaeological watching brief condition required
10
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development2
No issue or no action possible or necessary30
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)2
Altogether 25 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared 7 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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12.4

There was substantial local interest in the archaeological excavations at Fairyknowe
Gardens, Bothwell, where a new housing development had been proposed.
Archaeological evaluation of the site had been required by the Council prior todetermination of the planning application because of the possibility that there was amedieval defended site in the vicinity, dating to the same period as the 12th century
church which was close by - a possible predecessor of the later Bothwell Castle on thebank of the Clyde. The evaluation found no medieval structures within the area
proposed for housing, but pottery sherds dating to the 12-13th centuries were found indeposits which had been washed down from the knoll on which the manse sitsadjacent to the church. It appears that any medieval settlement in the area is under themanse building, possibly the site of an early lordly residence, but this has yet to be
proved.

12.5

There was some further work within the medieval part of Hamilton (Castle Street)
continuing earlier work in the town, aimed at elucidating more information on thedevelopment of the town in the medieval period. A couple of possible features ofmedieval date were uncovered along with medieval pottery sherds, but no substantive
archaeological deposits. To date only fragmentary remains of medieval Hamilton havecome to light in the areas subject to recent redevelopment, much of the earlier
archaeological deposits having been destroyed by later developments. The Service
however continues to take an interest in Hamilton, as there may be areas of goodarchaeological survival which have not yet come forward for redevelopment.

12.6

13

Other Advice
There were 28 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
8
From developers/agents:
14
Public service information
From members of the public:
6
Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council

13.1

13.2

Development Plan Advice
A meeting took place between Council staff and the Service regarding the Clydebank
District Local Plan Review Issues Paper Consultation. In respect of the Glasgow andClyde Valley Structure Plan the Service took part in meetings and discussions
regarding flood appraisal and the environment topic group. Comments were provided
on the archaeological policy content of the consultative draft Structure Plan inNovember 1999.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 19 planning applications were identified as raising potential
archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 16 of 16

13.3

The 19 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 6
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
2
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)3
No issue or no action possible or necessary
8
Altogether 11 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During the period
the Archaeology Service prepared 2 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

13.4

13.5

13.6

At the end of the report period there was archaeological evaluation within the site of
the proposed Dumbarton Football Club Stadium next to Castle Rock. The site wasformerly occupied by the Denny Shipyard, but the main archaeological interest was
the possibility of settlement at the foot of the Rock, the occupation of which is known
to date back to the early centuries AD. An engraving from the late 17th century showsa building at the foot of the Rock and there was known to be a house called Castle
Green in the area in the mid-19th century. The evaluation found that there were
medieval cultivation deposits in the area adjacent to the Rock which had not been
disturbed by the shipyard (shown by the presence of medieval pottery). The flooding
risk in the area had made it unsuitable for settlement except very close to the base of
the Rock, consistent with Roy's map of 1746 which suggests the area was used forfields. By the 18th century the ground had risen sufficiently through the dumping of
midden material for the house of Castle Green to be built by the Denny family.
Other Advice
There were 15 consultations of the Service in the report period in respect of planningand archaeology matters, or public service information on Glasgow's archaeology.
These were broken down as follows:
Planning matters
From Council departmental staff:
2
From developers/agents:
8
Public service information
From members of the public:
5
There was continued press and public interest in the prospective redevelopment of Old
Kilpatrick bus station which is located on top of a part of the western terminal Roman
Fort on the Antonine Wall. As a prelude to submitting a planning application for
housing, the owner and prospective developer of the site carried out evaluation which
the Service had advised was necessary to judge the survival of the archaeologicalremains under the concrete slab of the bus garage. The evaluation established that theremains of the fort are in a fair state of preservation, as predicted by the Service, andhave not been destroyed by the development of the bus garage. No planningapplication for the site has been forthcoming.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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14

Advice to the West of Scotland Water Authority

14.1

There were 47 requests for assistance from the Water Authority over the year,
compared to 33 in 1998/99 and 34 in 1997/98. The Service continued to provide
detailed monitoring of WOSW proposals, meetings and discussions as required,applications for scheduled monument consent to Historic Scotland, terms of reference
and briefs (7 in the report period), and monitoring of archaeological contractors in thefield. Work for WOSW has grown substantially over the last 3 years and at the end of
the report period WOSW was asked to agree an increase in the charge for service,
which was subsequently agreed.

14.2

Substantial archaeological excavation was required in advance of some of the WOSW
proposals, in particular, the Arran Ring Main and the Kelvin Valley Sewer whichcrosses the Antonine Wall at various locations. Along the 17km line of the Arran Ring
Main a total of 28 new archaeological sites were discovered during topsoil strip
monitoring of areas specified by the Service. All necessary archaeological excavation
was undertaken and post-excavation analysis is now proceeding, all funded by
WOSW, and the results will eventually be published.

14.3

The strangest find on a WOSW project in the period was a carved wooden head foundduring the laying of a new water pipe near Luss, Argyll. The head, dubbed "Hector", isunlike anything ever found in Scotland. It is roughly life-sized, scuplted in softwood,and the "skin" and facial features were painted. His eyes were metal washers coveredin material, fixed into place with a pin or nail. The head appears to be a representationof a bearded European, but the only identified parallels so far are an 18th century
Indonesian mask.

15

Agri-Environment Audits

15.1

The Service continued to provide archaeological audits for agri-environment scheme
applications on a chargeable basis during the year. Over the year 100 audits were
supplied (92 for the Countryside Premium Scheme and 8 for the Environmentally
Sensitive Areas Scheme), compared to 135 in 1998/99 and 73 in 1997/98. The purposeof the audits is to identify archaeological sites on farms for which farmers may be
eligible for grant aid to assist in their management. The number of archaeological sites
under such grant aided management in Scotland is steadily growing.

16

Public and Professional Relations

16.1

During the report period members of staff provided 4 lectures on archaeological topics
to various groups, including a talk on medieval Hamilton at the annual conference of
the Society of Directors of Planning. A seminar was organised in October 1999 witharchaeological contractors operating in the west of Scotland to discuss various issuesof concern in the discharge of archaeological conditions on planning consents. The
seminar was also attended by archaeological staff from other Scottish Councils. At thestart of the report period the annual West of Scotland archaeological conference wasorganised (West of Scotland Archaeology Forum 1999), at which several papers were
given by archaeological contractors on developer funded excavations in the areas of
the Councils. The conference was attended by about 130 professional archaeologists

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
Page 18 of 18

and members of the public. One issue of the Service newsletter "Whats Old!" wasproduced and distributed during the period.

Carol Swanson
ManagerWest of Scotland Archaeology Service
6 February 2001

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
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