Series: Kirkdale Archaeology unpublished report series

A watching brief was carried out during the excavation of two small trenches in advance of the installation of new signs at Aberdour Castle. The first, near the entrance gate (NT 1910 8537) revealed whin dust, suggesting recently laid turf, and the second, just SW of the Castle itself (NT 1923 8545), was on the site of an existing display board, but a mortar-rich layer at the lower limit of excavation may represent a previously undisturbed horizon.

Kirkdale Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Scotland to record some alterations that had been made to the fabric of Barra Castle. This castle has a complex history of building, reconstruction and modification. Early 17th-century date stones, with the monograms of the Seton family, mark the first securely dated part of the castle, although this is thought to represent the upgrading of an existing structure or structures.

A watching brief was maintained during three periods of work at Bothwell Castle to locate and repair a burst water pipe. Also, a small hole was excavated for planting a tree. There were no finds or features of archaeological significance.

A watching brief was maintained during the excavation of two holes to receive the uprights for a new sign at the entrance to Bothwell Castle. Nothing of archaeological interest was noted.

A watching brief was maintained at Burleigh Castle during the excavation of a single trench to take the footings of a new interpretation board.

A series of three separate programmes of excavation and standing building recording were completed on two areas of the castle. The first area concentrated on walls defining the S side of the probable courtyard within the Inner Ward . Evidence was found of the modification of primary build (early 16th-century) with the addition of later masonry thought at present to relate to the later 16thC reinforcement of the site under the 2nd Earl of Arran. Evidence was also found of the 18th and 19th-century stabilisation and landscaping programme when the castle was absorbed within the park around Hamilton Palace. The other focus for excavation was the tower located at the NW corner of the Outer Ward . The need to stabilise the vaulted undercroft of this structure brought to light further evidence of the conversion and subdivision of the early 16th-century structure during the later 16th century. This took the form of the addition of a new cross wall at first floor level and the possible creation of a new access passage along the S side of the tower also at first floor level. This exercise may also be associated with the blocking of two apertures looking E and S respectively. The tower appears to have been destroyed by fire on the evidence of extensive burning and scorching of walls at first floor level, an event dating to the late medieval period on the evidence of pottery.

A watching brief was maintained during the removal of an old information board and the installation of a new one. There were no finds or features of archaeological significance.

A watching brief was maintained during the excavation of a small trench against the exterior southwest corner of the curtain wall at Corgarff Castle. The purpose of the excavation was to locate the inlet for the castle well shown on an 18th-century plan. There was no evidence found of the inlet but the excavation did reveal the foundations of the southwest corner of the 18th-century star shaped curtain wall. Photographs show that some of this wall was rebuilt in the 1960s but it became clear that the southwest corner of the curtain is of 18th-century build.

A watching brief was maintained during the excavation of a trench to house an information board. Nothing of archaeological interest was encountered during the works.