WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE
Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2003/04
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004.
New Casework 2003/04
Council Area
Total New Casework
Items
Argyll & Bute
507
East Ayrshire
188
East Renfrewshire
104
Glasgow
127
Inverclyde
65
North Ayrshire
135
North Lanarkshire
130
Renfrewshire
108
South Ayrshire
173
South Lanarkshire
264
West Dunbartonshire
116
National Park Authority
68
General/More than43
1Council
Total

2028

Weekly
lists
48
46
51
51
46
49
53
51
52
54
50
48

Planning
Applications
280
85
42
37
12
60
45
41
59
133
48
5

599

847

Other
179
57
11
39
7
26
32
16
62
77
18
15
43
582

During the report period the West of Scotland Archaeology Service dealt with 2028 new
casework items (this compares with 1916 in the previous year) and carried out work on afurther 346 casework items registered in previous years. Work was therefore carried out on a
total of 2374 separate casework items over the year (2221 in the previous year). 599 of the
new work items were weekly lists of planning applications received from the 11 Councils andthe Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, which were monitored in order to
identify planning applications raising archaeological issues.
Altogether 847 planning applications were identified as potentially requiring archaeologicaladvice across the area covered by the Archaeology Service, an increase of 18% on theprevious year when only 717 applications were so identified. Since the Archaeology Service
was formally established in 1997, there has been a 167% increase in the workload arisingfrom identifying and commenting on planning applications raising potential archaeological

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

1issues. 279 of the identified 841 applications raised archaeological issues which required
advice from the Service, a decrease of 8.5% on the previous year. This decrease is not likely
to be the result of fewer threats to archaeological resources arising from proposeddevelopment, as development planning applications are currently running at a very high level.
Rather it is a factor of the increased amount of paperwork at the Archaeology Service, so thatfor the first time some planning applications were unable to be processed at all and no
response was therefore sent to the originating Councils within a reasonable time period (29applications). In addition some identified minor impacts on archaeology had to be ignored
because of the Service’s inability to pursue because of insufficient staff resources.
Summary Table of Planning Applications 2000-2004

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

Nos. Identified for Comment
00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04
111
127
210
280
49
56
68
85
15
30
32
42
29
37
35
37
11
3
7
12
39
52
52
60
20
30
39
45
29
46
33
41
60
50
40
59
77
123
158
133
20
36
38
48
--4
5
460
590
717
847

Nos. Raising Archaeological Issues
00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04
59
45
90
92
17
27
23
25
3
7
11
13
13
18
12
20
3
-2
5
22
25
31
24
10
14
21
15
11
20
21
11
30
25
13
15
33
49
66
48
8
9
12
10
--3
1
209
239
305
279

In addition to the weekly lists and planning applications a further 582 items of new work were
processed by the Service in 2003/04 (see table below - figures for previous year in brackets).
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

115 (98)
15 (12)36 (55)184 (114)
6 (3)2 (16)
40 (100)
110 (138)
5 (16)
54 (56)3 (1)
12 (12)582 (621)

The total number of separate casework items processed by the Service in 2003/04 at 2374
(2028 new casework items plus 346 old casework items) represents an increase of 6.8% in
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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

2

overall caseload when compared with the previous year. Altogether the Service’s total
caseload has increased by 51.8% since the computerised logging of casework was begun in
April 2000. There has been no increase in the permanent staffing complement of the Service
to handle this increase in workload.
In October 2003 an additional member of staff was recruited on a temporary contract basis tohelp address some of the issues raised by case overload, funded from the Service’s substantial
surplus in suspense. During the year the Steering Group decided that the Service’s annual
income and expenditure should be brought into balance over a set period of time, with thesurplus in suspense being reduced to a sum of £15,000 to be maintained to cover any
emergencies. It was also decided that the Sites and Monuments Record Officer post should
again be made a permanent contract in recognition that the Sites and Monuments Record isvital to the Service’s continued efficiency.
During the report period 1220 new records were added to the Sites and Monuments Record
database mainly by the Archaeology Service staff and by volunteers (8907 the previous year,
mainly because of a download from the National Monuments Record for Scotland) and 2177
(8942 the previous year) existing records were amended.
The Service only prepared 7 briefs or terms of reference to control developer fundedarchaeological work, for the Councils in connection with evaluation prior to determination ofplanning applications, or for discharge of conditions on planning. As notified in last year’s
annual report, the Service now actively avoids time consuming preparation of formal briefs
for archaeological work required by the planning process, and only produces these where
there is no alternative. Reliance is placed instead on telephone briefings and subsequent
amendments of Written Schemes of Investigations which developers are required to submit
for the agreement of the Service, prior to approval by the Councils.
Two major developer funded excavations took place within the area covered by the Service
during the report period – at the site of the Greyfriars in Glasgow, and at Dreghorn in North
Ayrshire, both sites dating to the medieval period, and a further major suite of archaeologicalsites was discovered on the west side of Loch Lomond in the area of the National Park. In
addition several smaller scale excavations took place throughout the area. None of thesearchaeological sites were known to exist or to survive in good condition, before the Service’s
intervention via the planning process. The discovery of such well-preserved archaeologicalremains, and their proper recording prior to development, demonstrates the effectiveness of
the application by the Councils of the provisions of the Scottish Executive’s National
Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5 and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42, Archaeology and
The Planning Process, backed up by appropriate development plan policies. 2004 is the 10th
anniversary of the introduction of NPPG 5 and PAN 42.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

3

1

Running the Service

1.1

The Service's Steering Group met once throughout the year to consider various mattersin connection with the running of the Service prior to the Service’s Joint Committee
meeting in October 2003. It was not felt necessary to hold a second meeting in
February 2004, as there were no relevant items connected with the running of theService.

1.2

During the report period the Service was approached by East Dunbartonshire and West
Lothian Councils about the possibility of joining as Member Councils. The Joint
Committee agreed this in principle, but in the event only West Lothian joined for astart date of 1 April 2004. Also during the year a Service Level Agreement was
concluded with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority which canbe terminated by either side serving 6 months notice. At the end of the report period
Scottish Water indicated that the previous informal arrangement between the Service
and the West of Scotland Water Authority (now superseded by Scottish Water) should
be regarded as terminated, with the consequent loss of a considerable sum of external
income to the Service. In February 2004 Historic Scotland opened discussions with
Scottish Water and the Association of Regional and Island Archaeologists (ARIA –the Council archaeologists association) with the objective of concluding a national
agreement for the provision of archaeological advice to Scottish Water. It has been
made clear to Scottish Water that advice will only provided by the Council
archaeologists across Scotland at an agreed cost. The discussions are continuing, andmeanwhile information and advice is being provided by the Service to Scottish Water
under the terms of the Service’s hourly fee charge, pending any decisions about anannual retainer.

1.3

It was noted in last year’s annual report that the Service had only been able to sustain
the major increase in its caseload since its inception, by improvements in its
operational methodologies, particularly development of digital systems, but that it had
now exhausted this capability for improvement and was unable to sustain theincreasing caseload within its existing permanent staff complement. This is amply
demonstrated by the Service's performance statistics in respect of responding toconsultations timeously in 2003/04 which are worse than the previous report period(Appendix 1). In October 2003 an additional member of staff was recruited on atemporary contract basis to help address some of these issues, funded out of theService’s surplus in suspense, but for the first three months of the contract had to be
devoted to completing a Sites and Monuments Record project for which Historic
Scotland had provided grant aid (see 2.2 below). The effect of the additional staff
member on improving the performance statistics since January 2004 will only clearly
be seen in the next report period, but quarterly monitoring is already demonstrating amarked improvement.

1.4

During the year the Steering Group decided that the Service’s annual income andexpenditure should be brought into balance over a set period of time. It had got out ofbalance since 1996 because the member Councils have not been paying the annual
increases in the Service costs, which have been covered instead by fee generation,
thereby increasing the workload. Balance can only be achieved by regular above
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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

4

inflation increases in the member Council contributions until the financial year 200910. At the same time the surplus in suspense is to be reduced to a sum of £15,000 to be
maintained to cover any emergencies. This reduction will be achieved by holding
member Council annual contributions lower than they would otherwise need to be, andby funding a temporary fifth post for as long as the reduction in the surplus insuspense allows.
1.5

The Service's accounts were in substantial surplus at the end of the report period (seeAppendix 2).

2

Sites and Monuments Record Maintenance and Development

2.1

Work on the maintenance and development of the Sites and Monuments Record wascontinued during the report period. 1220 new site records were added to the Sites andMonuments Record database and 2177 existing site records were amended.

2.2

A temporary staff member was recruited with grant aid from Historic Scotland tocomplete the digitisation of settlements depicted as abandoned or ruined on the firstedition Ordnance Survey 6 inch map. This project had been completed for most of
Scotland by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of
Scotland except for south Strathclyde. The Service continued to benefit from work by
student volunteers who are assisting to clear the backlog of data entry, whilst at thesame time obtaining valuable experience for future jobs in archaeology. One of thestudents was placed with the Archaeology Service by Glasgow City Council as part ofits Diverse Groups Student Programme 2003 designed to provide work experience tostudents from ethnic minority and disabled backgrounds.

2.3

Work of updating the Sites and Monuments Record for East Dunbartonshire and West
Lothian was undertaken as a prelude to these Councils joining the Service, on paymentof a specific fee for the purpose by each Council. In the event East Dunbartonshire
Council is not able to take advantage of its updated record as the Council decided not
to join the Service after all. Specific work of updating the record for the Loch Lomondand Trossachs National Park Authority was also undertaken during the year, as aprelude to preparation of the first National Park Plan.

3

Advice to Argyll & Bute Council

3.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period the Service provided comments on the Argyll & Bute Local
Plan.

3.2

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 48 weekly lists were monitored for the Council and 280 new
planning applications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either
by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done inrespect of 47 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 Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

5

3.3

The 280 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 recommended2
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 21
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
20
Archaeological watching brief condition required
38
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
8
Other condition
2
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
185
Not received
3
Altogether 92 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 3 briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

3.4

Recommendations of refusal on archaeological grounds were made in respect of twoplanning applications, one for a dwelling house at Lochan na Beithe, North Connel,
and the other also for a dwelling house at Lurabus on The Oa, Isle of Islay, bothproposals directly affecting scheduled ancient monuments. The Scottish Executive’splanning policy position, as set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 5, is thatscheduled ancient monuments should be preserved in situ.

3.5

During the report period there were several enquiries and planning applications in
respect of development on the Isle of Gigha, brought forward under the auspices of theIsle of Gigha Heritage Trust, including sites for individual houses, a small housingdevelopment, and a wind turbine development. Gigha had recently been subject to a
local buy-out by its inhabitants. The Trust is anxious that its development of the island
does not affect the rich archaeological resources which exist there, as they wish to beable to utilise these for future development of the island’s potential. The Archaeology
Service requested prior archaeological evaluation by trial trenching of most of thedevelopment proposals, because the quantity and quality of Gigha’s sub-surface
archaeological resources is currently unknown. In the event nothing of archaeologicalsignificance was found and development can go ahead as planned without fear ofdamaging the heritage resources the Heritage Trust wishes to protect.

3.6

During the report period archaeological evaluation by trial trenching took place inadvance of determination of an application for proposed sand and gravel extraction at
Leckuary, Kilmichael Glassary. The pre-evaluation survey recorded the presence of
upstanding earth and stone dykes plus a possible building, and the trenching
uncovered possible prehistoric features (flint, pits, surfaces etc.) Further
archaeological mitigation works will be required, if the application is approved by theCouncil. The presence of archaeological remains at this site demonstrates once again
the close affinity between sands and gravels and archaeological remains, because 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

6soils which developed on sands and gravels are light and easy to work, and this madethem particularly attractive to settlers in earlier times.
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 179 other items of casework.

3.7

3.8

Over the period 6 requests for advice and assistance were received from Scottish andSouthern Electricity in connection with overhead line refurbishment projects, some ofwhich were major in extent. This type of work work is subject to the Service’s fee
charge policy and is not included within the Planning Service Level Agreement
between the Council and the Service, although the Council is also normally consulted
directly on electricity line proposals. Council staff were advised during the reportperiod to make use of the archaeological consultation trigger maps supplied by theArchaeology Service in responding to Scottish and Southern Electricity to warn ofpotential archaeological issues and that the Archaeology Service should be approacheddirectly for information and advice. Some of the work involved site visits by
Archaeology Service staff with Scottish and Southern staff. The invoiced costs of thiswork contributed to the overall fee income received by the Service during the reportperiod.

3.9

The Archaeology Service was called to the Isle of Gigha in June 2003 to inspect a
carved stone which was found in a fireplace of a croft undergoing repairs. The carved
stone appears from its carvings to be early Christian in date, maybe 6-7th century AD,
although it has had later additions. Its provenance is unknown as it had clearly been
moved to the crofthouse at some date well after its original use. It is likely that thestone will eventually be displayed in the church on Gigha.

3.10

During the report period the Archaeology Service was notified of a proposed survey
by the University of Nottingham of crannogs in Argyll (remains of loch dwelling sitesof any date from the Bronze Age to the medieval period). Information from the survey
was supplied by the University in June 2003 for inclusion in the Sites and Monuments
Record.

4

Advice to East Ayrshire Council

4.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period the Service was consulted in respect of a landscape impact
assessment by Entec being prepared for the Local Plan.

4.2

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 46 weekly lists were monitored and 85 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 24 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

7

4.3

The 85 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 11
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
6
Archaeological watching brief condition required
6Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary51
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)9
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 no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

4.4

4.5

4.6

Excavation took place during the report period at the site of a proposed dwelling houseat Castlehill, Cumnock in the vicinity of the medieval castle site from which Castlehill
takes its name. The excavation was required by a condition attached by the Council toplanning consent for the house. A castle at New Cumnock is thought to have existed in
the 1300s but most of it had been demolished by the 19th century, so that very little
trace remains above ground, apart from the modern roadway (called Castlehill) which
is deeply incised and appears therefore to be located in the moat of the original castle.
The archaeological work revealed that the high ground to the south side of the modern
roadway of Castlehill, on which it was proposed to build the house, is a possible
upcast mound of material dug out from the castle moat, which had been deposited
between the castle and the nearby church site which is also thought to be early in date.
This mound appears to mark the southern side of the castle enclosure, which isthought to have measured some 40m E-W by 55m N-S, most of it now under houses
and gardens.
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 57 other items of casework.
There were 10 requests for Sites and Monuments Record information during the reportperiod, 7 of them in connection with forthcoming planning applications, and 1 inconnection with an application for grant to Historic Scotland. The Service now has an
automated Sites and Monuments Record extract mechanism, which provides data on
compact disc in both database and GIS format for use by archaeological consultants.
The data supply is charged at the Service’s minimum fee charge of £50 plus VAT per
enquiry, takes only a few moments to extract and copy, and has the advantage to theconsultant of being in a format which the consultant can readily manipulate for
production of environmental assessment reports. This is an efficient data supply
mechanism which saves the Service’s time, and all consultants are being encouraged
to seek this information prior to embarking on archaeological desk based research.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

8

4.7

Two requests for assistance were received from East Ayrshire Council’s Museum
Service, one in connection with the identification of marks on a stone found near
Darvel, and the other in connection with a potential new site near Drongan.

5

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council

5.1

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

5.2

5.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 51 weekly lists were monitored and 42 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 6 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 42 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 6
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
5
Standings Buildings Survey condition2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
29
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.

5.4

An archaeological watching brief was maintained in connection with the topsoil
stripping of pre-selected areas along the construction route of the Glasgow Southern
Orbital Road, but no further features of archaeological significance were identified.
The watching brief had been requested by the Service as a test of the efficiency of theearlier trial trenching methodology which had discovered a palisaded enclosure at
Titwood, subsequently fully excavated. The negative results of the archaeologicalwatching brief demonstrate that the Service’s policy of 5-10% evaluation byarchaeological trial trenching is an effective method of assessing the archaeologicalpotential of any area. A parallel watching brief of the full topsoil strip for the M77
construction, following trial trenching, ordered by Historic Scotland on behalf of theScottish Executive, also produced negative results. During the report period
radiocarbon dates, spanning the period from the 8-10th centuries AD, were received forthe palisade trench of the Titwood enclosure. This was totally unexpected as suchenclosures are normally dated to the prehistoric period, either late Bronze Age (1500
to 500BC, or Iron Age (from 500BC). It is the first time that any settlement has been
identified in the west of Scotland dating to the so-called Dark Ages, and indicates thatthe form of the settlement at this period may be identical to what it was for centuries
before then, thereby perhaps explaining why they have been so difficult to identify todate. Unfortunately the palisaded enclosure at Titwood had been badly damaged by
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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

9

ploughing, so little other evidence apart from form and date was recovered, but it was
nonetheless a highly significant discovery, of which there had been no evidence of its
existence before the archaeological evaluation in advance of the Glasgow Southern
Orbital.
5.5

5.6

A watching brief at Neilston Parish Church in connection with repairs andrefurbishment of the current church produced some indicators there had been earlier
church buildings on the site. A “gothic” window in the north wall of the church was
examined and tentatively concluded to be late fifteenth or early sixteenth century indate.
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.

5.7

A copy of the Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA) Occasional
Paper No. 60, Bonnyton Moor, Bogside and Bonnyton, was received for incorporationin the Sites and Monuments Record. ACFA is an amateur archaeological survey
group, consisting entirely of interested members of the public with University extramural survey training. They have been particularly active in surveying parts of East
Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire in recent years and regularly provide reports of their
work.

6

Advice to Glasgow City Council

6.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period development plan advice was sought by the Council inrespect of the Tradeston Masterplan.

6.2

6.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 51 weekly lists were monitored and 37 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 15 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 37 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 8
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
9
Archaeological watching brief condition required
1Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
11
Not received
6
Altogether 20 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 of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

10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.
6.4

6.5

A major excavation, funded by Scottish Enterprise, took place in central Glasgow inadvance of development of the City Science Centre. Part of the area occupies the siteof the 15th century Franciscan friary of Glasgow. The main result of the excavation
was the discovery of buildings and graves associated with the Franciscan Friary. No
structural remains of the priory buildings survived, but the layout of the complex was
discerned from the pattern of the foundation trenches. The well at the centre of thecomplex was cut some 5m into the ground. The upper part of the stone well had been
robbed out but the lower 2.7m survived. Rubble in the abandoned well included
expensive stained glass window fragments and carved stone. Wooden shoring erectedduring the construction of the well still survived at lower levels. The friary cemetery
was also discovered. A total of 18 graves containing 20 adult skeletons were foundaligned mostly N to S, with 3 burials aligned E to W. The discovery of 7 females, aswell as 12 males, may indicate that people from the community were buried within thefriary graveyard. Post-excavation analysis is currently taking place and a report of the
excavation will be published. The Archaeology Service provided a continuing
professional development seminar for Council planning staff at the site during the
excavation.
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 39 other items of casework.

6.6

A synthesis of Govan's archaeological and architectural history, tracing developmentin the burgh over the last 1500 years was prepared by Glasgow University
Archaeological Research Division with funding from Historic Scotland. The results ofthe synthesis will be submitted for inclusion in the Sites and Monuments Record inboth hard copy and digital format. The study is intended as an introduction to, and a
discussion and summary of Govan's history and heritage potential. It is also a guide toGovan's archaeological and architectural history, for the purposes of managing theseresources. The study forms part of the Historic Scotland Burgh Survey series.

6.7

During the report period the Service Manager attended and spoke at a conference
designed to raise awareness of the forthcoming nomination of the Antonine Wall as a
World Heritage Site and the planning and other management issues arising frompreservation of the Wall’s remains.

7

Advice to Inverclyde Council

7.1

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

7.2

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 46 weekly lists were monitored and 12 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues by 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

11Archaeology Service. In addition further work was done in respect of 2 planningapplications submitted in previous years.
7.3

The 12 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
2
Archaeological watching brief condition required
1Standings Buildings Survey condition1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
4
Not received
3
Altogether 5 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

7.4

During the period the Archaeology Service prepared no briefs or terms of reference toaid the implementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to aplanning consent granted in a previous year.

7.5

No archaeological excavations took place within the Council’s area during the reportperiod, but the archaeological conditions recommended in respect of 5 applications
should lead to future archaeological investigations.

7.6

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 7 other items of casework.

7.7

The service was consulted in respect of the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment of the proposals for East India Harbour and advised that the western partof area is located in the defined area of archaeological potential in the historic
settlement of Greenock, that the Environmental Assessment should have section on
impact on cultural heritage, and that detailed Sites and Monuments Record data should
be sought from the Service.

7.8

The Maclean Museum, Greenock requested assistance in respect of the report of aclaimed Covenanters well (White's well) from a member of the public. A site visit wasundertaken by the Service in June 2003 at the Museum’s request, but this was unable
to confirm the well’s covenanting associations for which there appears to be no
historical evidence, but of which there is a strong local tradition.

8

Advice to North Ayrshire Council

8.1

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

8.2

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 49 weekly lists were monitored and 60 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

12Archaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 16 planning applications submitted in previous years.
8.3

The 60 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
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required12
No issue or no action possible or necessary29
Not received
7
Altogether 24 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.

8.4

A major excavation took place between November 2003 and February 2004 in
response to an archaeological condition attached to planning consent for 53 houses at
Station Brae, Dreghorn. Nothing was previously recorded to exist on the site, but anaerial photograph of the area showed some enigmatic markings in the pasture field.
Excavation revealed the substantial remains of a medieval settlement with unexpectedprehistoric settlement remains surviving beneath it. The prehistoric remains date to the
Neolithic and early Bronze Age period, that is, from about 3000BC, leading tonewspaper headlines that Scotland’s earliest village had been found at Dreghorn. The
medieval settlement is thought to be part of the medieval village of Dreghorn, which
originally consisted of two streets (Main Street plus the one running through the
excavation). Pottery from the 12-14th centuries was recovered, dating the settlement to
the high medieval period. It is thought that the houses on the second street, which issituated down slope of the ridge on which Dreghorn sits (Dreghorn means dry spur)
may have been abandoned because of a rising water table, as climate deteriorated in
the later part of the medieval period, whilst the Main Street continued to be occupied
until the present day. Post-excavation analysis is now taking place and will lead toeventual publication of the excavation results. Few such medieval settlements haveever been excavated on this scale in Scotland, and fewer still have had the degree ofpreservation of individual structural remains, both house sites and corn kilns. The site
and its excavation was of national importance and its results will make a major
contribution to understanding of the planning and characteristics of rural settlement in
Scotland.

8.5

Archaeological evaluation in advance of land release for housing at Montgomerie
Park, Irvine identified the presence of an early prehistoric cist (Bronze Age burial) anda series of three complexes of features (pits, post holes and curvilinear slots)
associated with a ridge running through the area. These features are prehistoric in date.
Excavation of the various remains continued after the end of the report period.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

13

8.6

Other Advice
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 26 other items of casework.

8.7

A number of pre-application enquiries in respect of individual development sites werereceived from the volume house builder which had funded the major Dreghorn
excavation. The costs of the Dreghorn excavation, which were substantial, had notbeen anticipated in the developer’s pre-application research into development costs onthat site, and amply demonstrated the value of pre-application archaeologicalassessment, which is the procedure recommended in Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42,
but which few prospective developers observe.

9

Advice to North Lanarkshire Council

9.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period the Service’s comments were sought by the Council inrespect of the North Lanarkshire Local Plan.

9.2

9.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 53 weekly lists were monitored (one possibly a carry over fromthe previous report period) and 45 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.
In addition further work was done in respect of 21 planning application submitted inprevious years.
The 45 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
8
Archaeological watching brief condition required1
No issue or no action possible or necessary25
Not received
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.

9.4

Archaeological excavation took place immediately adjacent to the Antonine Wall in
Croy in response to an archaeological condition attached to consent for redevelopmentof a miner’s welfare club. The excavation revealed remains, dated to both the preRoman Iron Age and the Roman period, in an area which had previously thought tohave been badly disturbed, thereby demonstrating that it cannot be assumed thatarchaeological remains have been destroyed by earlier development on any site.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

14

9.5

An excavation of two circular enclosures took place in advance of quarrying at
Cairneyhill Quarry near Caldercruix during the report period. One of the structuresappeared to have been used for temporary habitation, possibly during the summer
months (it had a hearth and possible internal partitions but no clear evidence of roof
supports), and produced pottery which dated the structure to the 13th to 15th centuries.
The second enclosure produced clear evidence of postholes supporting a roof but noclear evidence of a hearth and little dating evidence. It is hoped that post-excavation
analysis, particularly radiocarbon dates, will elucidate the date of this enclosure. The
dating of one enclosure to the medieval period is significant, as normally suchenclosures are taken to be the remains of huts of prehistoric date. Other prehistoricremains are recorded to have existed on the hill. As at the palisaded site at Titwood in
East Renfrewshire, this developer funded excavation has raised questions about past
simplistic dating of archaeological sites based on observed form alone.
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 32 other items of casework.

9.6

9.7

The Service provided Sites and Monuments Record information in respect of enquiries
re a number of potential wind farm developments, some of them in the vicinity ofscheduled ancient monuments of which there are not a great number in North
Lanarkshire. Wind farms continue to be problematic for archaeology, because
although the wind turbines can usually be sited to avoid known archaeological sites,
issues of impacts on setting, particularly on scheduled ancient monuments, aredifficult to assess and to resolve.

9.8

During the report period the Service Manager attended and spoke at a conference
designed to raise awareness of the forthcoming nomination of the Antonine Wall as a
World Heritage Site and the planning and other management issues arising frompreservation of the Wall’s remains.

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 51 weekly lists were monitored and 41 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 12 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 41 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 3
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
7

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

15

Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue or no action possible or necessary
Not received

1
28
2

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 no briefs or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.
10.4

Archaeological evaluation prior to determination of a planning application for houses
at Strathcarron Drive, Dykebar Hill, Paisley demonstrated that the earthwork recorded
as surrounding the top of Dykebar Hill had been capped by a major dump ofredeposited boulder clay up to 3m thick, possibly when the houses had been built oneither side of the hill. Finds from the earthwork site in the past indicate that it may be
medieval, rather than prehistoric, in date. Although the earthwork is no longer visible,
it will be preserved under overburden and conditions were recommended to be
attached to planning consent for the houses to ensure that it is preserved in situ.

10.5Standing buildings recording in response to a condition attached to planning consent
took place at the Glenpatrick Carpet Works (also known as Stoddart's Carpet Factory),
Elderslie during the report period. A paper mill existed on the site c.1826, but theearliest surviving building was a rubble built workshed of c.1857. More buildings
appeared in phases, notable during 1864-97, including large brick built offices andwarehouses. The 1910's, 20's and 60's saw new single storey worksheds appear. The
site had been the home of Stoddards Carpet Factory since it was founded in 1862.

10.6

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 16 other items of casework, most of it pre-application enquiries inrespect of proposed development or in respect of permitted developments or statutory
undertakings.

10.7

The results of a survey of Stanely Castle, undertaken in 1985 when the surrounding
Stanely reservoir was partially drained, were deposited with the Sites and Monuments
Record by the Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists (ACFA). Stanely
Castle is a massive fortalice, probably of early 15th century date, which was formerlysited on an island in a marsh. The castle is a scheduled ancient monument and isrelatively inaccessible because of the surrounding reservoir.

11

Advice to South Ayrshire Council

11.1

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

11.2

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 52 weekly lists were monitored and 59 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

16

Archaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 13 planning applications submitted in previous years.
11.3

The 59 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
6
Archaeological watching brief condition required
3
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary32
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)12
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 1 brief or terms of reference to aid theimplementation by developers of archaeological conditions attached to planning
consents by the Council.

11.4

Archaeological investigation in response to a condition attached to consent for theformation of static holiday caravan bases, landscaping, and the formation of a golfcourse at Craig Tara Holiday Park, Dunure Road, Ayr revealed a grouping of 10/11
Bronze Age burial cists, an outlying cist and a buried deposit of charcoal with boneand sand layers. This is a most unusual find in that it does not appear to be a usual typeof Bronze Age burial site. This find demonstrates yet again the archaeologicalsensitivity of the raised beach along the whole of the Ayrshire coast and the highpotential that exists in this area for recovery of unrecorded prehistoric ritual and burialsites, some of which are well preserved below plough soil. Meantime the site has been
backfilled to prevent erosion, and a project design for full excavation has been agreed
with the developer, to take place at the appropriate stage in his development
programme.

11.5

Archaeological investigation in response to a condition attached to consent for a mixed
development at Mill Street/Kyle Street, Ayr within the extent of the medieval burgh,
identified considerable medieval activity including industrial sized liquid retaining
pits, suggesting a tannery. Three wells, hearths, cobble heaps, and much 13th and 14th
century ceramics were also found. A programme of post-excavation analysis at thedeveloper’s expense will be required to interpret and bring together the results of the
excavation for publication. This off-site work forms an important part of the
programme of archaeological works secured by the planning condition. Without postexcavation analysis and publication to put the results of excavation into the publicdomain, there would be no point to requiring the excavation by planning condition.
Securing developer funding for post-excavation analysis remains one of the mostproblematic enforcement issues, as the work takes place after on-site development hascommenced, and in the case of a complex site, possibly after development has been
completed. The Service advises Councils not to discharge archaeological conditions
until such time as they have been presented with evidence of a contract or

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

17commissioning letter for the post-excavation analysis and publication phase of the
programme of work required by the condition.

11.6

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 62 other items of casework, most of it pre-application enquiries inrespect of proposed development or in respect of permitted developments or statutory
undertakings.

11.7

An enquiry was received from an American member of the public about King Coil's
grave near Tarbolton. This is an enigmatic site, apparently a burial cairn of prehistoric
date but with a name association with the Dark Age kingdom of Strathclyde. The
member of the public’s interest was principally in the name – his surname is Kyle,
derived from Coil. This sort of enquiry demonstrates that interest in Scotland’s history
and archaeology can be worldwide.

12

Advice to South Lanarkshire Council

12.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period the Service’s comments were sought in respect of the
Hamilton Area Local Plan.

12.2

12.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 54 weekly lists were monitored (two possibly a carry over fromthe previous report period) and 133 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or byCouncil staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 45 planning applications
submitted in previous years.
The 133 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:
Refusal of planning application recommended2
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 10
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
14
Archaeological watching brief condition required
14
Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
5
Other Condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary83
Not received
2
Altogether 48 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.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

18

12.4

Refusal of planning consent on archaeological grounds was recommended to theCouncil in respect of two planning applications – for the erection of two detached
dwellinghouses at land to the south of Braehead Road, Thorntonhall, and for a change
of use, alteration and extension of a barn to form a dwellinghouse at 107 Castlegate,
Lanark. The former proposal was in the view of the Service over-development of theplot of land, making it impossible to avoid damaging a well-preserved limekiln,
whereas it might have been possible to accommodate a single house without affecting
the kiln. In the event the Council granted consent subject to conditions. The latter
proposal is partially located within the scheduled area of Lanark Castle, andconsideration of the application is still continuing.

12.5

Partial excavation, consolidation and fencing of a supposed limekiln took place at
Mavor Avenue, East Kilbride in connection with conditions, attached at appeal, toplanning consent for a retail warehouse development. A further condition on theconsent requires the developer to create suitable interpretation of the structure, whichis to be preserved to one side of the access road to the warehouse. Excavation of thestructure, before its consolidation, revealed that it was not a limekiln as thought, but
was designed for some other unknown industrial process. Questions remain about theexact nature of the structure, which will be problematic for the on-site interpretation
required by the planning condition, but to solve these would necessitate further
excavation which could potentially destroy the structure.

12.6

Evaluation by archaeological trial trenching in advance of determination of a planningapplication for housing at Laigh Braehead, Thortonhall uncovered a single mid to lateBronze Age cremation burial. The burial had been damaged by past ploughing, but
was fully excavated and the results will be published in a suitable archaeologicaljournal.

12.7

Investigation of a mound at Laigh Kittochside, East Kilbride, in advance of thedetermination of a planning application for a single house, revealed that the mound is
not after all an archaeological site as had been claimed locally, but is in fact a naturalfeature which has past field clearance stones dumped on it. This case demonstrates thevalue of prior archaeological evaluation to a planning applicant, in that it candemonstrate that no archaeological impediment to development exists. On the other
hand it can also discover that there is a potential constraint where none was known
before, as for instance was the case at the site of a proposed housing development at
Carmichael, where significant remains of the prehistoric and later periods werediscovered by prior evaluation during the report period.

12.8

12.9

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 77 other items of casework.
Information was provided to a member of the public on Gilbertfield Castle near
Cambuslang where his family had resided in the 19th century, and advice was provided
to the New Lanark World Heritage site officer in connection with a query from amember of the public in respect of an archaeological site within the buffer zone of 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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

19

World Heritage Site. A site visit was made to the supposed site of St. Anne's Well,
Millholm Road, Strathaven at the request of the Planning Department of the Council,
following a report from a member of the public that they had found the well in theirback garden. In the event the feature in the garden was identified as a revetment wall
depicted on the first edition 6 inch Ordnance Survey map of the area, and not part of a
well.
13

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council

13.1

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

13.2

13.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 50 weekly lists were monitored and 48 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 12 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 48 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 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
3
Archaeological watching brief condition required
3
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary37
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
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.

13.4

Refusal of the planning application was recommended in respect of a proposal to build
a house within the scheduled area of the Antonine Wall at Cleddans, Hardgate,
Duntocher. National Planning Policy Guideline 5 is clear that developments adversely
affecting scheduled ancient monuments should be refused planning consent. In theevent there are other difficulties with the application, and it is also unlikely that
Historic Scotland would grant scheduled monument consent to the proposal, especially
now that Scottish Ministers intend to nominate the Antonine Wall as a World Heritage
Site by 2007.

13.5

Excavation was required as a condition of planning consent for an extension to an
existing car park at Risk Street, Dumbarton, after initial evaluation by trial trenchingdemonstrated the potential for archaeologically significant deposits or features tosurvive within the application area. Pottery from the medieval to modern period in

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

20

date was recovered from a cultivation soil below modern overburden. This information
is useful in determining the extent of the medieval burgh of Dumbarton at different
stages in the past, essential information for providing advice on future planningapplications within the historic settlement area.
13.6

13.7

Excavation took place within a proposed re-development site at College Way,
Dumbarton, and followed an evaluation which located a number of archaeologicalfeatures containing medieval pottery concentrated in the eastern part of thedevelopment area. The excavation revealed three phases of medieval activity. The
earliest feature was probably a wide ditch which may have bounded the back ofburgage plots fronting onto High Street to the south. The second phase of activity
comprised three roughly parallel gullies spaced at 7m intervals, probably representing
the foundation trenches of timber fences defining a series of narrow plots, againaligned parallel to High Street. These may represent the boundaries of burgage plots
fronting onto Cross Vennel or a parallel street to the east. The third phase saw theaccumulation of a cultivation horizon, probably superceding the earlier putative
burgage plots. Finds of pottery suggest that the Phase 1 ditch may have been filledduring the 13th to 15th centuries, whilst the cultivation horizon may have formed
during the 15th and 16th centuries.
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.

13.8

During the report period the Service Manager attended and spoke at a conference
designed to raise awareness of the forthcoming nomination of the Antonine Wall as a
World Heritage Site and the planning and other management issues arising frompreservation of the Wall’s remains.

13.9

The Service was asked by the Planning Department for advice in respect of moving
millstones associated with the Mill of Haldane out of the river, where they are causing
some problem. The Service advised that the Mill of Haldane had been identified as
potentially a site of schedulable quality on the Non-Statutory Register of such sites
drawn up some time ago for Historic Scotland, and that as a consequence the best
advice is to leave the millstones in place as they appear to have been deliberately
placed there, possibly as part of the usage of the mill.

14

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority

14.1

During the report period a chargeable service level agreement was negotiated with the
National Park Authority in respect of continuance of archaeological advice from theService.

14.2

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was sought by the National Park Authority during thereport period.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

21

14.3

14.4

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 48 weekly lists were monitored and 5 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues by theArchaeology Service or National Park Authority staff. In addition further advice wasprovided in respect of 1 planning application submitted in previous years.
The 5 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service interms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
No issue or no action possible or necessary2
Not received
2
Altogether only 1 of the identified planning applications required some form of
response to mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains. During theperiod 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.

14.5

A major golf course development at Midross on the west side of Loch Lomond createda very substantial amount of work for the Archaeology Service during the latter part of
the report period. Only a handful of archaeological sites were known to exist within
the area before the application was made, most of these of relatively recent date.
However as the underlying subsoil is sand and gravel (glacial outwash from Glen
Fruin), it was concluded that there was a high potential for recovery of unknown,buried sites, particularly of the prehistoric period. It was recommended to the Park
Authority that evaluation by archaeological trial trenching in advance of determinationof the application should take place, which confirmed that there were indeed several
unknown archaeological sites. Consent for the golf course was approved subject to a
Section 75 agreement, part of which required implementation of a programme ofarchaeological investigation in advance of development. Most of this work took place
after the end of the report period, but the Service’s suspicions that this part of Loch
Lomondside is potentially archaeologically rich have been well confirmed with many
new sites being uncovered, including a previously unknown chapel and burial ground,a village of possible Iron Age or Dark Age date, other Iron Age settlement, many
prehistoric burials, and evidence of prehistoric iron working. Excavation of these sites
is expected to continue for some time and the results will eventually be publishedunder the terms of the Section 75 agreement.

14.6

During the report period the Park Authority advised that a second major golf course
planning application was expected to be submitted to the north of the one justapproved. It is likely that this proposal too may raise substantial archaeological issues.

Other Advice within the National Park Authority’s Area
14.7

As part of the Service Level Agreement with the Park Authority, advice is provided to
the Forestry Commission on Woodland Grant Scheme applications. The Service
provided comments on 4 such applications within the report period.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

22

15

Advice to the Scottish Water

15.1

There were 3 requests for assistance in connection with Scottish Water proposals over
the report period. There had been 63 such requests in the previous year. This sharp fallin casework was the result of a delay in capital project progress by Scottish Water,
arising from the formation of Scottish Water Solutions, a major public/private
partnership tasked with delivering 70% of Scottish Water’s capital programme in thenext few years. Consultation of the Service, largely by Scottish Water Solutions,resumed at the end of the report period. One brief was prepared for Scottish Water
during the report in connection with the Katrine Water Project in East Dunbartonshire.
In addition further advice was provided in respect of casework items submitted to theService in previous years. At the end of the report period Scottish Water indicated thatthe previous informal arrangement between the Service and the West of Scotland
Water Authority (now superseded by Scottish Water) should be regarded as
terminated, with the consequent loss of a considerable sum of external income to theService. It is hoped that some of this can be offset by hourly charging for advice on
demand.

16

Agri-Environment Audits

16.1

Archaeological audits were supplied on an hourly charging basis to agriculturaladvisers for 184 agri-environment scheme applications (114 the previous year). In
addition the sum of £4,312 was received from Historic Scotland to help cover the costsof providing the audits, mainly for necessary Sites and Monuments Record work toallow audits to be efficiently prepared, but it also covers requests from agriculturaladvisers for on-site archaeological management advice.

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

23

Appendix 1
Annual Performance Statistics 2003-2004 (figures for previous year in brackets forcomparison)
Weekly lists
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area of work is
90% to be monitored and actioned within 14 calendar days of receipt.
Performance50%(73.7%)
Planning and Listed Building Consultations
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area of work is
80% to be actioned within 21 calendar days of receipt.
Planning Applications
Argyll & Bute
64.6%
(69.8%)
East Ayrshire
58.7%(68.3%)
East Renfrewshire
69.0%(74.2%)
Glasgow City
46.9%
(41.7%)
Inverclyde
22.2%(28.6%)
North Ayrshire
50.0%(61.2%)
North Lanarkshire
53.7%(71.9%)
Renfrewshire
61.0%(64.5%)South Ayrshire
48.9%(61.3%)South Lanarkshire
55.4%(61.9%)
West Dunbartonshire
79.2%(75.8%)
Loch Lomond & Trossachs
100%
(75%)
Overall Planning Application Performance60%(65.8%)
Other Work Areas
The performance standard agreed with the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service (benchmark
partner) for this area of work is 80% to be actioned within 21 calendar days of receipt.
Agri-Environment Scheme Audits
54.6%
(61%)
Pre-Application Enquiries
55.8%(72.9%)
Permitted Dev/Statutory Undertakings
64.2%(62.2%)
Forest Design Plan
60.0%
(61.5%)
Woodland Grant Scheme
100%(33.3%)
Other Archaeological Consultations
61.3%(91.1%)
General/SMR Enquiries
92.6%(82.3%)
Other
50%(71.4%)
Policy Liaison--------------SMR Information Management
92.3%(33.3%)SMR Systems Support & Development
100%(87.7%)Development Plan Consultations
69.2%(16.6%)Overall Other Work Performance
72.72%(61.2%)(SMR Information Management is incoming information for integration to the SMR. In
addition there is an ongoing programme of enhancement of SMR data).

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, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

24

Appendix 2
WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICEREVENUE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
73,601.00

Balance B/fwd 01/04/03
INCOME
Core Funding
Glasgow City Council (net)Argyll & Bute Council
East Ayrshire Council
East Renfrewshire Council
Inverclyde Council
North Ayrshire Council
North Lanarkshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
South Ayrshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
East Dunbartonshire Council

7,225.00
21,967.00
11,444.00
7,283.00
7,803.00
11,444.00
11,444.00
11,444.00
11,444.00
15,606.00
10,872.00
2,000.00
129,976.00

Other Income
Fees & Charges
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National ParkWest Lothian Council
Misc

9,537.39
15,000.00
12,295.26
36,832.65

Income Other Public bodies
Scottish Water
Historic Scotland

24,970.00
9,822.00
34,792.00
650.00Sales

3,865.91

Interest Received On Balances

206,116.56

TOTAL INCOME

279,717.56

EXPENDITURE
Employee Costs
Salaries - Basic
Supn.
N.I.

120,391.78
16,605.44
9,387.48

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.

25

Allowances

7.80
146,392.50

Supplies & Services
Equipment Purchase & Maintenance
Catering

8,876.80
66.30
8,943.10

Transport
Car Allowances

5,655.80

Administration Costs
Printing & Stationary
Telephones
Postage
Subsistence & Travel
Misc

507.21
283.12556.67
1,923.60
130.003,400.60

Payment To Agencies
Subscriptions

173.00TOTAL EXPENDITURE

164,565.00

Balance c/fwd @ 31/03/04

115,152.56
279,717.56

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.

26