WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE

Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2000/01
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.
New Casework 2000/01
Council Area
Total New
Casework Items
Argyll & Bute
307
East Ayrshire
146
East Renfrewshire
73
Glasgow
109
Inverclyde
60
North Ayrshire
122
North Lanarkshire96
Renfrewshire
101
South Ayrshire
128
South Lanarkshire
180
West Dunbartonshire
80
General/More than
57
1Council
Total

1498

Weekly lists
49
49
40
48
39
45
55
50
52
50
42

Planning
Applications
111
49
15
29
11
39
20
29
60
77
20

519

460

Other
153
51
18
40
11
44
24
24
23
56
18
57
519

During the report period the West of Scotland Archaeology Service dealt with 1498 new work
items and carried out work on a further 66 items registered in previous years. 519 of the newwork items were weekly lists of planning applications received from the 11 Councils, whichwere monitored in order to identify planning applications raising archaeological issues. 460
planning applications were identified as potentially requiring archaeological advice, anincrease of 32% on the previous year when only 348 applications were so identified. This
increase is mostly due to more efficient monitoring of weekly lists by the Service after thearchaeological GIS was extended to every desk just before the beginning of the financial year,
although there may also have been an upturn in numbers of applications as the economy has
improved. Two Councils, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire, still do not provide gridreferences on their weekly lists, affecting the efficiency of the weekly list monitoring. 209 of
the identified 460 applications raised archaeological issues which required advice from theService, an increase of 38% on the previous year. The planning application workload has
continued to grow on an annual basis (see Summary Table below).
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

Summary Table of Planning Applications 1997-2001

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

Nos. Identified for Comment
97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01
55
73
91
111
40
43
35
49
14
14
10
15
25
9
16
29
12
9
8
11
18
20
31
39
16
12
14
20
18
16
28
29
38
29
39
60
52
40
57
77
29
28
19
20
317
293
348
460

Nos. Raising Archaeological Issues
97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01
25
33
42
59
18
15
13
17
5
3
3
3
9
6
8
13
8
3
6
3
9
11
16
22
8
3
6
10
8
6
6
11
19
14
15
30
27
22
25
33
10
16
11
8
146
132
151
209

In addition to the weekly lists and planning applications a further 519 items of work were
processed by the Service in 2000/01 as follows:
Pre-planning application enquiries
Development Plan consultations
Permitted development enquiries
Agri-Environment Scheme audits and other matters
Woodland Grant Scheme advice (private)
Forest Design Plans (private)
Other Archaeological Consultations (includes notification of new site information)
Sites and Monuments Record information management matters
Systems development and support matters
General or SMR enquiries
Policy liaison matters
Other (includes items sent in error)
Total

97
15
39
81
3
15
160
29
4
37
4
35
519

During the report period 191 new records were added to the Sites and Monuments Record
database and 7099 existing records were amended.
The Service prepared 30 briefs or terms of reference to control developer fundedarchaeological work, 27 for the Councils in connection with evaluation prior to determinationof planning applications, or for discharge of conditions on planning consents, and 3 for Westof Scotland Water. Some of these briefs originated from planning applications or
consultations considered first in previous years.
The annual conference of the Archaeology Service was held at the Western Infirmary Lecture
Theatre in Glasgow at the end of September 2000 as part of Scottish Archaeology Monthorganised by the Council for Scottish Archaeology. In addition the Service provided lectures
to local archaeological societies and participated in a number of professional seminars.
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

During the report period agreement was reached on a 3 year budget (2001/04). This
incorporates an agreed forumula for contributions from member Councils; a 2%
increase in all Council contributions from 2002/03; a much increased invoice to Westof Scotland Water from 2001/02; and an above inflation increase in the charge leviedby the Service for fee earning work from 2001/02 (now £50 per hour plus VAT). This
places the Service on a firm financial footing until the year 2003/04. As a result thefour Councils which had submitted notices of withdrawal from the Service, rescinded
these subject to conditions. It is intended to continue with 3 year budgetting, rolling
forward on an annual basis.

1.2

It was agreed that the Service's Steering Group would meet at a senior level on a twice
yearly basis to consider major items to do with the running of the Service, followed bytwice yearly Committee meetings. This arose from a concern that the previous, more
frequent, meetings of the Steering Group were being attended at too junior a level toallow progress in decision making.

1.3

Year 2000 upgrades to the Services hardware and software were completed in July
2000 and major changes made to the office systems as part of this. The newly installed
digital consultations register, which had been piloted the previous year, and theextended archaeological GIS proved to be worth the investment of time and funds.
The new systems allow much more efficient checking of weekly lists of planningapplications, more effective monitoring of the Service's workload, and far better
tracking of casework. In order to stay effective, the IT systems will require to beconstantly maintained and upgraded. Currently the Service's budget is too constrained
to allow for this and this matter will need to be considered further in future.

2

Sites and Monuments Record Maintenance and Development

2.1

A grant of £5200 received from Historic Scotland in the previous year for
development of the Sites and Monuments Record was expended by the employment ofa temporary member of staff and also by the purchase of copies of specific oblique
aerial photographs held by the National Monuments Record in Edinburgh.

2.2

The £10,500 contract 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
was completed in December 2000. A temporary member of staff was employed on thiscontract during the report period. Her contract was later able to be extended until theend of the financial year by the receipt of a grant of £2997 from Historic Scotland forSites and Monuments Record work to improve the archaeological audit service for
agri-environment schemes (this is in addition to the charge levied for provision ofaudits which was unaffected). The additional time was spent on beginning theindexing to the GIS of the collection of RAF vertical aerial photographs donated to theService by the National Monuments Record. This index when complete will make the
RAF photographs more easily searchable.

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

2.3

During the report period 191 new records were added to the Sites and Monuments
Record database and 7099 existing records were amended. Some of this work wasdone by temporary staff.

3

Advice to Argyll & Bute Council

3.1

Development Plan Advice
Comments were sought on the draft Argyll & Bute Structure Plan during the reportperiod and these were supplied on 18 December 2000.

3.2

3.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 49 weekly lists were monitored for the Council and 111 newplanning applications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either
by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice wasprovided in respect of 9 planning applications submitted in previous years. Argyll &Bute Council remained the largest Council user of the development control advice
service over the report period.
The 111 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 17
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
6
Archaeological watching brief condition required
25
Survey of standing structures required
1
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
5
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)
5
No issue or no action possible or necessary46
Not received
6
Altogether 59 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 11 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

3.4

The Service continued to provide considerable assistance to the Council in respect ofthe discharge of the archaeological conditions attached to the planning consent forsand and gravel extraction at Kilmartin Quarry. All excavation work in connection
with Phase 2 of the quarry was completed in July 2000 and the manager of the Service
attended a weekend open day at the excavation in order to answer questions from thepublic about the conduct of the excavation. On several occasions during the reportperiod, the Service Manager explained the correct record of the planning history of thesite, including a meeting with representatives of the Argyll archaeological societies
and correspondence with the Council for Scottish Archaeology. Post-excavation
analysis on the results of the excavations of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 was begun by
the developer's archaeological contractor in January 2001 and is expected to becompleted in December 2001 with production of a report suitable for publication.
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

Public disquiet about the archaeological issue at the quarry seems now to have ceased,
but Phase 3 of the quarry (the final phase) has yet to be addressed.
3.5

3.6

There were a number of planning applications for Iona which is an area of higharchaeological sensitivity. Evaluation in advance of a proposed house at Caol Ithe,
Iona confirmed the presence of a human burial ground which had been identified byThomas Pennant in 1774 as Cladh nan Druineach, "the burial ground of thecraftsmen". The burial ground, although thought to exist, had not previously been
properly located. The house was able to be built by exclusion and preservation of theditched burial ground in the garden area. The confirmed existence of this burial grounddemonstrates that much of the eastern side of Iona contains important archaeologicalremains as was suspected.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 153 other items of casework.

3.7

The Service provided advice and assistance to the Nadair project, including a meetingwith the project officer, advice to the Tiree Heritage Society in respect of the proposed
chapels project, and assistance to the SCAPE Trust in formulating the proposed
coastal archaeological survey project for Coll, Tiree and Islay.

3.8

The Service approached Historic Scotland for funds to publish the excavations at
Bruaich an Druimein in the Kilmartin Glen, following a request from the local
archaeological society. These excavations had been carried out in the 1960s by anamateur group and very little information is available about the results. Historic
Scotland has now let a contract for assessment of the archive which is in private hands
in Argyll. Publication of this excavation will complement the forthcoming report on
the Kilmartin Quarry excavations and will provide important further archaeologicalinformation to allow interpretation of the many sites in the Glen.

4

Advice to East Ayrshire Council

4.1

4.2

Development Plan Advice
No Local Plan advice was sought by the Council. The Service continued to provide
advice to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Team in respect of the development of an
Indicative Forestry Strategy. This included substantial work on the Historic Land Use
Assessment data prepared for the area by the Royal Commission on the Ancient andHistoric Monuments for Scotland. The HLA GIS data was processed into a form
capable of being utilised to develop the Indicative Forestry Strategy. A side benefit ofthis was considerable work was done in adding to, and improving, the archaeological
database for the three Ayrshire Councils.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 49 weekly lists were monitored and 49 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 3 planning applications submitted in previous years.
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 49 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 5
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required
7
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development1
No issue or no action possible or necessary28
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)4
Altogether 17 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.

4.4

4.5

Several stages of archaeological work took place at Nelson Street/Bank Street,
Kilmarnock in connection with proposed demolition and redevelopment. This location
lies within the identified area of potential archaeological significance associated withthe early development of Kilmarnock in the medieval period. Only occasional shallow
medieval features were found (a circular pit, linear cut), dated by the presence of
medieval pottery. Two stone built wells were also found, which could date to any
historic period (their fill was not excavated but preserved in situ). The lack of
substantial archaeological deposits at the site implies either that there has been major
disturbance of early features by later development in this part of Kilmarnock(truncation was severe across the street frontage), or this location was largely outside
the medieval burgh, implying that the settled area of historic Kilmarnock may havebeen very small and close to the church. The Service will continue to monitor
developments within the core of Kilmarnock to address these issues.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 51 other items of casework.

4.6

The Service assisted local people in Muirkirk to locate the Long Stone of Convention,a stone with covenanting connections, as they were concerned that it could be affectedby a proposal to extend an opencast coal operation. A site visit with the enquirers
confirmed that the stone was located in forestry and was clear of the opencast
proposal.

4.7

A cist (Bronze Age burial) was reported to the Service to have been discovered within
the grounds of Hareshawmuir House near Fenwick. As it was possible that the cist
could contain human remains which were exposed to weathering, the Service
contacted Historic Scotland for funding for an archaeological excavation. In the eventthe excavation demonstrated that the cist had been previously disturbed and no humanremains were present. There was some indication however of possible other,
undisturbed, cists in the vicinity.

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

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council

5.1

5.2

5.3

Development Plan Advice
Comments were provided on the East Renfrewshire Consultative Draft Local Plan on
15 May 2000.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 40 weekly lists were monitored and 15 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. Fewer lists were monitored than for otherCouncils because of an interruption to the provision of lists to the Service during the
strike of local government staff. In addition further advice was provided in respect of
1 planning application submitted in previous years.
The 15 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Refusal of planning application recommended1
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
12
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

A recommendation of refusal was made in the case of the proposed redevelopment of
Caldwell Tower near Uplawmoor as a dwellinghouse, as the proposed development
would have damaged archaeological deposits and affected the appearance of the tower.
The tower was never intended to be a stand alone towerhouse but was instead a tower
on the curtain wall of a much larger castle, now largely reduced to turf covered
foundations.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 18 other items of casework.

5.6

The Service continued to provided advice and assistance on a charging basis to the
ASH Consulting Group who are the agents for East Renfrewshire and South
Lanarkshire Councils in respect of the development of the Glasgow Southern Orbital
road.

6

Advice to Glasgow City Council

6.1

Development Plan Advice
Further comments were provided in November/December 2000 on the draftarchaeological policies to be included in the draft Glasgow City Plan.
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

6.2

6.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 48 weekly lists were monitored and 29 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 3 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 29 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required
6
Other recommendation (contact Garden History Society)1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
10
Not received
6
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 1 brief or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

6.4

6.5

6.6

Archaeological evaluation of the archaeological site visible on aerial photographs tothe south of the IKEA store at Braehead demonstrated that the site contained surviving
prehistoric archaeology (settlement remains). Further discussions about the future of
the site with the owners of the Braehead Retail Park culminated in an application to
the Council for consent to excavate the site, which was subsequently granted. A
planning application is not normally required for archaeological excavation, but in thiscase the Council considered that the scale of the works required to excavate the site
constituted development in terms of the Planning Act. The Service negotiated thescope of the archaeological excavation with the developer's archaeological contractors
on behalf of the Council and full excavation of the site took place at the developer's
expense after the end of the report period, demonstrating the site to have been a multiperiod, palisaded and ditched settlement. A total of six roundhouses were found during
the excavation. A condition of the planning consent for the excavation was that there
should be involvement of interested volunteers from the Glasgow ArchaeologicalSociety and the Renfrew Local History Forum. Once post-excavation analysis hastaken place, the results will be published. This was probably the last remaining
accessible prehistoric site in Glasgow, any other evidence now being under built up
areas.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 40 other items of casework.
From June 2000 onwards the Service contributed major work to "Glasgow 2000", amultimedia CD production on the story of Glasgow from earliest times by the School
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

of Architecture at Strathclyde (ABACUS). A member of the Service contributed apaper to a major conference in Glasgow on the preservation of battlefields, providing
in addition information for the Lord Provost's address to the conference reception.
7

Advice to Inverclyde Council

7.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was sought by the Council.

7.2

7.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 39 weekly lists were monitored and 11 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 2 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 11 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Archaeological watching brief condition required2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
7
Not received
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.

7.4

8

8.1

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 11 other items of casework. There continues to be strong local
interest from the press and public in the archaeology and history of the area and mostof the other items of casework originate from that source.
Advice to North Ayrshire Council
Development Plan Advice
Comments were provided on the Review of North Ayrshire Council Local Plans on 27
September 2000. The Service continued to provide advice to the Ayrshire Joint
Structure Plan Team in respect of the development of an Indicative Forestry Strategy.
This included substantial work on the Historic Land Use Assessment data prepared forthe area by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments for
Scotland. The HLA GIS data was processed into a form capable of being utilised todevelop the Indicative Forestry Strategy. A side benefit of this was considerable work
was done in adding to, and improving, the archaeological database for the threeAyrshire Councils.

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

8.2

8.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 39 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
In addition further advice was provided in respect of 5 planning applications submitted
in previous years.
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 7
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
2
Archaeological watching brief condition required
11Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
13
Not received
4
Altogether 22 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

Major developer funded archaeological excavation took place at the Auchrannie Hotelin Arran and at the walled garden at Perceton, Irvine in connection with planning
consents. In Arran the site was a roundhouse and attached souterrain (undergroundbuilding) partially affected by the construction of a new leisure centre at the
Auchrannie Hotel. Excavation of part of the roundhouse was necessary anddemonstrated that it was Iron Age (pre-Roman in date). Several artefacts were foundincluding a bronze finger ring which is paralleled by a similar find from a site near
Seamill, also in North Ayrshire. The site at the Auchrannie Hotel is particularly
important because the form of the souterrain is Irish in style, only the second one ofthis type found in Scotland, and may demonstrate links between Ireland and western
Scotland during the Iron Age, a time about which little is known in Scotland. The
results of the excavation are currently undergoing post-excavation analysis and will be
published. Most of the souterrain has been preserved unexcavated within the garden
ground of the leisure centre.

8.5

The site at Perceton adjacent to North Ayrshire Council's offices was to be largely
destroyed by a housing development. It proved on excavation at the developer's
expense to contain the remains of two medieval manor houses, one thought to date to
the 12th/13th centuries, the later dating to the 14th century. The earlier house would
have been built during the initial Norman occupation of the area (first introduced byDavid I of Scotland), the second during the time when Robert the Bruce claimed theland, although it is likely to have been built by one of his vassals rather than the Kinghimself. Post-excavation analysis is still ongoing in respect of this excavation and theresults will be published. The Service along with the excavator of the site, Headland
Archaeology Ltd, provided a continuing professional development session at the

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

excavation for North Ayrshire Council staff and has agreed to provide a follow up
session once the results of post-excavation analysis are known.
8.6

8.7

9

9.1

9.2

9.3

Updated archaeological consultation trigger maps were supplied to the Council indigital form in March 2001
Other Advice
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 44 other items of casework. A member of the public reported
several finds of artefacts and pottery within a vegetable patch at a house in Seamill(known site of a fort). The Service followed this up with a site visit and ensured thatthe finds were collected for declaration to the Treasure Trove Advisory Panel as thelaw requires. The finds appear to be medieval in date, implying that the fort belongs to
the same period (possibly part of the Normanisation of the lands in this area). There isno means of preventing further digging within the fort as the site is not scheduled andthe garden operations do not require planning consent.
Advice to North Lanarkshire Council
Development Plan Advice
Comments were provided on 21 July 2000 on a draft of suitable archaeologicalpolicies for inclusion in all of the Councils Local Plans. A further minor comment wasmade on 26 February 2001 on the finalised draft Northern Corridor Local Plan.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 55 weekly lists were monitored and 20 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 1 planning application submitted in previous years.
The 20 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
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required
2
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
7
Not received
3
Altogether 10 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.

9.4

There were development proposals for the areas of identified archaeologicalsignificance within the historic settlement areas of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, which
necessitated the attachment of archaeological conditions, although no actual
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

archaeological fieldwork took place on these sites within the report period. There is
known to be early archaeological deposits within The Village, Cumbernauld although
the settlement was not a burgh during the medieval period. Kilsyth is known to havebeen an early burgh but no archaeological excavation has taken place in the area as
there has been little recent pressure for redevelopment. The current survival ofarchaeological deposits in Kilsyth is therefore unknown and will only be tested
through developer funded work as opportunities arise.
9.5

Updated archaeological consultation trigger maps were supplied to the Council indigital form January 2001.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 24 other items of casework.

9.6

9.7

The Service was consulted again on the proposed Ravenscraig Masterplan. Most of thearchaeological interest at Ravenscraig was destroyed during the 19th/20th century
development of the site, but there is some historical interest at the east end of the site
associated with the site of Wishaw House and its designed landscape. The Service also
provided assistance to the North Lanarkshire Council Museum Service in respect of
the compilation of a register of heritage sites in North Lanarkshire.

10

Advice to Renfrewshire Council

10.1

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period.

10.2

10.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 50 weekly lists were monitored and 29 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 2 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 29 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
3
Archaeological watching brief condition required
4
Survey of standing structures required2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
17
Not received
1
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 1 brief 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.
Page 12 of 12

10.4

10.5

Updated archaeological consultation trigger maps were supplied to the Council indigital form in October 2000.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 24 other items of casework.

10.6

Rune like markings on rock outcrop in Newton Woods near Elderslie were reported to
the Service by a member of the public. Runes are normally associated with the Norseand are an early script. The Service visited the site and sought advice on the nature of
the runes from an expert. It turned out that the runes were not Norse, but are thought tobe 18th century in date, called "twig runes". They are known elsewhere and are thought
to be part of the ritual of a cabalistic society of gentlemen of the time. Presumably oneof these gentlemen owned Elderslie House, within the grounds of which Newton
Woods were once located.

10.7

The Service was invited to and attended the official opening of the Wallace Memorialsite at Elderslie during the report period.

11

Advice to South Ayrshire Council

11.1

11.2

11.3

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period. The Service continued to provide advice to the Ayrshire Joint Structure
Plan Team in respect of the development of an Indicative Forestry Strategy. This
included substantial work on the Historic Land Use Assessment data prepared for thearea by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments for Scotland.
The HLA GIS data was processed into a form capable of being utilised to develop the
Indicative Forestry Strategy. A side benefit of this was considerable work was done inadding to, and improving, the archaeological database for the three Ayrshire Councils.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 52 weekly lists were monitored and 60 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 7 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 60 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 7
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
8
Archaeological watching brief condition required
12
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
2
Refusal of planning application recommended1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
21
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)
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 13 of 13

Altogether 30 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 4 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.
11.4

Refusal of planning consent was recommended in respect of one planning application
for a dwellinghouse which would have affected the setting of a scheduled ancientmonument (Iron Age fort at Dunduff). The application was subsequently refused.

11.5

Evaluation in advance of determination of an application for two houses in Alloway
demonstrated that the burial ground associated with Alloway Church does not
terminate at the current wall of the graveyard, but is present in a neighbouring garden.
It is likely that these burials are associated with earlier rather than later periods of thechurch's history. A slab carved with a cross, dated between the 8th and 12th centuries
had been found some time before in the neighbouring garden, indicating that the burial
ground was more extensive than appeared. The applicant proposed to withdraw theplanning application as a result of the finding of the burials.

11.6

A truncated Bronze Age urn burial was found and excavated during evaluation inconnection with the development of a golf course at Laigh Kyleston Farm near Ayr.
An archaeological watching brief on development of the golf course may uncoverfurther burials, as these sometimes occur together in groups, although they can also be
isolated finds.

11.7

The town centre in Ayr is still attracting redevelopment proposals necessitating either
prior archaeological evaluation or the attachment of archaeological conditions. Ayr is
one of the most active historic settlements in the area covered by the Service in termsof the generation of the need for archaeological work arising from redevelopment
proposals.

11.8

Other Advice in the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 23 other items of casework.

11.9

The Service provided advice and assistance to the Council in respect of proposeddevelopment within the park at St John's Tower in Ayr. The tower was part of themedieval church of St John the Baptist and was left standing after the rest of thechurch had been razed to the ground. Excavation of most of the church footprint has
already taken place, but there is still capacity for disurbance by development of
medieval fabric and burials.

12

Advice to South Lanarkshire Council

12.1

Development Plan Advice
Comments were provided on 18 January 2001 in respect of the South Lanarkshire
Minerals Plan Finalised Draft and on 16 March 2001 in respect of the East Kilbrideand District Finalised Local Plan.

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 14 of 14

12.2

12.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 50 weekly lists were monitored and 77 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in
respect of 7 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 77 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 12
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
3
Archaeological watching brief condition required
15
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development3
No issue or no action possible or necessary41
Not received
3
Altogether 33 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 5 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

12.4

Discussions took place with the Council and the applicant about proposed
modifications at Rutherglen Old Parish Church to construct a disabled access amongst
other works. The church site is early and was located within the medieval burgh of
Rutherglen. In order to minimise archaeological and setting disturbance the proposal
was withdrawn for redesign.

12.5

Although there were several identified archaeological issues arising from planningapplications within the Council's area during the report period, little substantive
archaeological fieldwork took place leading to major discoveries. This is the result ofchance in that year and South Lanarkshire Council remains the largest user of theService after Argyll & Bute.

12.6

12.7

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 56 other items of casework.
A member of the public queried the handling of planning applications from anarchaeological perspective within The Village, East Kilbride. He was advised that thecore of East Kilbride is archaeologically sensitive and is depicted on South
Lanarkshire Council's archaeological consultation trigger maps, but that for a varietyof reasons some redevelopment proposals for the core of the settlement have been
missed during archaeological monitoring in the past. He was advised that this situation
had now been rectified and redevelopment proposals within the historic part of East
Kilbride are now being monitored effectively.

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 15 of 15

13

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council

13.1

13.2

13.3

Development Plan Advice
No advice was sought from the Service in respect of Local Plan preparation within thereport period. Comments were supplied to consultants in respect of a scoping study of
the Dumbarton waterfront and castle area to inform the Dumbarton Town Centre
Action Plan. The proposal involves the diversion of the River Leven from its present
course to alleviate flooding. The Service responded that very substantial
archaeological issues were raised by the proposal, as did Historic Scotland, and further
advised that the study required inclusion of a full assessment of the archaeologicalimpact by an archaeological consultant.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period monitored 42 weekly lists and 20 new planning applications
were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology
Service or by Council staff. In addition further advice was provided in respect of 2planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 20 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
1
Archaeological watching brief condition required
4
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
12
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 1 brief or terms of reference to aid the implementation
by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning consents by theCouncil.

13.4

13.5

13.6

The main archaeological issues within West Dunbartonshire remain the unscheduledpart of the Antonine Wall where it passes through built up areas and the historic coreof Dumbarton which was a medieval burgh. Both of these areas produce a steadytrickle of recommendations for prior archaeological evaluation or archaeologicalconditions on planning consents.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 18 other items of casework.
Comments were provided to the Council in respect of a consultation exercise
regarding the development and improvement of Dumbarton Town Centre, advisingthat there are substantial archaeological deposits within the town centre which may beaffected by redevelopment, but recommending that more effort be made to use thehistory of Dumbarton to enhance the attractiveness of the town centre, including
investigation of joint marketing with Historic Scotland of the town and the castle.

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

14

Advice to the West of Scotland Water Authority

14.1

There were 29 requests for assistance from the Water Authority over the year. The
Service continued to provide detailed monitoring of WOSW proposals, meetings anddiscussions as required, applications for scheduled monument consent to Historic
Scotland, terms of reference and briefs (3 in the report period), and monitoring ofarchaeological contractors in the field. Work for WOSW appears to be beginning totail off to some extent. The expanded capital development programme by WOSW tomeet the requirements of European legislation was expected to have a finite duration
only (to be completed by 2005). A reduction in the amount of work for WOSW could
have implications for the income to the Service from this source. The changeover to asingle water authority may also lead to future change in this respect and this aspectrequires to be further monitored and discussed at the appropriate time. The Service
provides an annual summary to WOSW of the work done for the authority and articles
for publication in the authority's annual Environmental Review and there continues tobe a good working relationship with WOSW staff.

15

Agri-Environment Audits

15.1

Archaeological audits were supplied on an hourly charging basis to agriculturaladvisers for 79 agri-environment scheme applications. A small sum of money (£2997)
was received from Historic Scotland to help cover the costs of providing the audits,mainly for necessary Sites and Monuments Record work to allow audits to beefficiently prepared (see Section 2 above).

16

Public and Professional Relations

16.1

The Service's annual conference was held on 30 September 2000, the last day of
Scottish Archaeology Month. It was attended by about 75 people, a reduction in
numbers on the previous year. This is thought to have been a result of the timing of theconference which was changed to suit Scottish Archaeology Month. The costs of theconference which was free to members of the public (condition of taking part in
Scottish Archaeology Month), were almost entirely met by donations and grant aid
from Historic Scotland. Several papers on developer funded archaeogical excavationsin the west of Scotland were given at the conference - excavation of the Iron Agesettlement at Braehead, Glasgow, excavations in Arran in advance of the new water
main development by WOSW, excavations in advance of the Kelvin Valley Sewer
development by WOSW, and excavation within the medieval High Street, Rothesay.

16.2

Members of staff of the Service provided lectures, papers, and chairs of professionalseminars as follows:
15-16 April 2000
Paper to international conference on battlefields "Fields ofConflict" at Glasgow University
8 May 2000
Paper to "Accessing SMRs Day" at the Archaeology Data
Service in York
2 June 2000
Presentation to SMR Forum meeting in Glasgow on SMRs andtheir use in Development Control

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 17 of 17

16 November 2000
14 February 2000
6 March 2001

Lecture on the work of WoSAS to the Glasgow ArchaeologicalSociety
Continuous Professional Development Seminar for North
Ayrshire Council Planning staff at Perceton excavation, Irvine
Chair of Sustainable Development and Archaeology Seminar at
National Trust for Scotland offices, Edinburgh

In addition the Service provide an input to several professional seminars andconferences, in particular the Natural and Cultural Heritage Working Group of theLoch Lomond and Trossachs Interim Committee considering future proposals for
Scotland's first National Park and took part in the workshop on National Park
boundary issues at Aberfoyle on 30 May 2000. At the end of the report period it was
decided to cut back on future participation in professional seminars because of theworkload commitments of the Service.

Carol Swanson
ManagerWest of Scotland Archaeology Service
5 September 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.
Page 18 of 18

West of Scotland Archaeology
Service
2000/01 Year End AccountExpenditure110101110103110104110105120101120104120151122301123353123403121151121152

IncomeSurplus Brought Forward
Councils
WOSW

Estimate
51,161.00
132,000.00
21,000.00

Actual
51,161.00
131,600.00
21,000.00

Fees
SCRAN ProjectHS agri-environment support
HS SMR Support
Conference receipt and donations
Total

6,500.00
10,500.00
2,997.00
2,000.00
800.00226,958.00

7,447.00
10,500.00
2,997.00
2,000.00
984.31
227,689.31

120501123101123102123104123201123301123501123801123453124101

Estimate
Salaries Basic
Salaries Superann
Salaries NI
Salaries Allowances
Sub Total
Rates
Service
Rents
Sub Total
Mileage
Subsistence
TravelSub Total
SMR Purchase
SMR Maintenance
Sub Total
Furniture
Printing
Stationery
Printing -Printworks
Telephones
Postages
Training - course
fees
Other admin costs
Conferences
Subscriptions
Host Council charge
Sub Total
Total Expenditure

129,898.00

14,500.00
5,500.00
600.00900.007,000.00
17,500.00
13,000.00
30,500.00
500.00900.00750.00

Actual117,251.60
13,355.11
8,781.35
2.06
139,390.12

800.00600.00800.0013,916.00
5,067.57
260.68507.17
5,835.42
17,077.08
10,580.42
27,657.50
102.12581.73760.5224.58
32.23
477.3150.00

400.00800.00100.005,000.00
10,650.00
192,548.00

170.26
1,079.70
73.00
5,000.00
8,351.45
195,150.49

SurplusEstimate

Actual

29,913.00

32,538.82

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 andWest Dunbartonshire.
Page 19 of 19