Series: Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) unpublished report series

A walkover survey was conducted on Auchineden Hill to identify and record the remains of any upstanding archaeological sites surviving within the proposed development site. There are several known archaeological sites in the surrounding area. Queen's View, at its north east, a scheduled burnt mound (NMRS NS58SW13) and Stockie Muir chambered long cairn (SAM 2281; NMRS NS48SE 6) at its north west, are some of them. Eleven previously unrecorded sites were identified during the walkover survey, though none of them have high or even moderate archaeological significance.

A metal detector survey of two sites, at Ladywell Park (Site 1) and New Line Road (Site 2), Bannockburn, Stirling, both proposed to be used as cemeteries, and an archaeological evaluation of the second of these sites were undertaken on behalf of Stirling Council in order to fulfil a condition placed on the proposed works by the Stirling Council Archaeologist. Both of the sites are within the area where it is suspected that the Battle of Bannockburn took place in 1314. As a result, a metal detector survey was to be carried out prior to any development to ensure that any significant artefacts relating to the battle were recovered from the topsoil. An archaeological evaluation was also undertaken on the second site. There, a Roman Road is depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1865-6, running across the proposed development area. All but one of the finds from the metal detector survey of the Ladywell Park site related to the very late nineteenth century and the twentieth century; most are coins. The only find of potentially earlier date is a large pewter spoon head, possibly dating to the eighteenth century. No artefacts recovered could be assigned definitely to the Battle of Bannockburn. The metal detector survey of the New Line Road site also recovered a series of nineteenth- and twentieth-century artefacts. In addition, a series of coins, buttons and two musket balls were found, which may date to the eighteenth century. It is known that there was Jacobite activity in this area in 1746 relating to the siege of Stirling Castle and the battle of Falkirk. It is possible that these eighteenth-century artefacts recovered from the New Line Road site relate to this activity. No artefacts recovered could be assigned definitely to the Battle of Bannockburn.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) on Croft Street, Tarbolton, Mauchline, Ayrshire. A total of 53 trenches were opened covering 8% of the site or 4616 m2. All the trenches were archaeologically sterile.

A geophysical survey was undertaken by GUARD, of a proposed cemetery development area at land south of Ferneyhill Toll, Kelso. The survey of 40% of the proposed development area was followed by test pitting in areas where geophysical anomalies were encountered. Three linear features and two possible structures were encountered during the survey, but it could not be ascertained if these features related to the medieval hospital of St Leonards, or the post-medieval farmstead of Spittal, which documentary and cartographic records indicate formerly occupied this site.

Due to the proximity of prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval sites within the surrounding area, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by GUARD of an area proposed for development at Freelands Road, Ratho. No significant archaeological features were encountered during the evaluation.

Due to previous documentary and cartographic records for a potential prehistoric cist burial and an early modern building within the western extension area of Lomond Quarry to the north of Leslie in Fife, GUARD were commissioned to undertake an archaeological watching brief during topsoil stripping works. No significant archaeological remains were encountered.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during the construction of a new access road through North Slipperfield Estate. The watching brief was required as a condition of planning consent due to the proximity of North Slipperfield Roman Temporary Camp, of which the visible remains of its northern corner lay to the north of the new access route. No significant archaeological remains were encountered.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by GUARD prior to the proposed nursery development in Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. A trial trench amounting to a 2% sample of the development area was excavated by hand. No archaeological remains of any significance were encountered.

An archaeological investigation of the eighteenth-century double basin, the basin mouth where it joined the Forth and Clyde Canal and the nineteenth-century slipway and slipway finger were conducted at Southbank, Kirkintilloch. The canal is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and additions, repairs and alterations to features beside it as part of the new development, were also monitored.The background to the development and use of the basin was also investigated, as various industries had targeted the basin for its convenient access to the canal and outlets to the west and east. The dressed walls of the basin survived up to 2 m in height when revealed from beneath 1960s infill, although their upper courses were missing. Stop log channels in the walls for stop planks across the passage between the two halves of the basin were also preserved. The basin mouth survived to its full height of nearly 5 m, its walls resting on a foundation of concrete and pebbles lying directly on the subsoil. It also had stop log channels for taking stop planks to divide the waters of the basin from those of the canal. Evidence survived that the slipway was a much later addition, as it was built for the construction of 'puffers'. The softwood timbers of the slipway ramp for the launching and repairing of boats survived and were noted to be covered in bitumen. The investigations of the slipway finger revealed that it originally had a sandstone bollard for mooring which was replaced in metal when the surface of the finger was renewed. The end of the finger was also extended and the whole resurfaced before its general demise in the 1960s.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken on behalf of William Grant and Sons Distillers Ltd in 2008. The project was designed to evaluate the footprint of a proposed warehouse and associated access road. Twelve evaluation trench were opened. Although deep deposits of redeposited natural were observed, no archaeological remains were encountered