Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 124

Provides an attempt to reconstruct both the natural distribution and composition of Scotland's woodlands, and the spatial patterning, timing and causal mechanisms in their removal. Particular attention is given to recent models of vegetation change, new ideas concerning Mesolithic woodland manipulation, the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition and the current status of elm decline, and to the interplay of climate change and human activity. An appendix provides a directory of published and unpublished works concerning regional-scale mid-late Holocene vegetation history (51--4).

Survey results suggest a series of settlement discontinuities in the IA, Norse, and medieval periods.

Describes work in 1990, concluding that little of the site itself survived.

Limited excavations were carried out in advance of pipeline construction in the area between two adjacent cropmark enclosures. The principal features comprised three pits which produced an assemblage of Grooved ware, strengthening the possibility that one of the enclosures may have been a henge monument and inviting speculation as to the date and relationship of the other enclosure, hitherto identified tentatively as a later prehistoric settlement. An isotopic date for one of the pits is discussed. `Other finds' are discussed by Bill Finlayson & Ann Clarke (125), `Environmental evidence' by Geraint Coles & Sheila Boardman (125--6).

An unusually small cist is described, containing two `Late Northern/step 5' Beakers (one normal sized, the other small), and with chemical traces suggesting the former presence of unburnt human remains.

Reports probing, excavation, microfossil analysis, and radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon dates indicate construction in the first half of the first millennium BC. Pollen analysis revealed contemporary poor heath-grassland with no apparent arable farming. Microscopic charcoal evidence indicates burning activity in the second millennium BC.

Analyses extensive collections from two IA wheelhouse complexes to ascertain species and anatomical parts used. Comparison is made with contemporary assemblages and a picture of the exploitation of animals on these sites is attempted. Primary tools, ornaments, working debris, and part-finished objects were identified. Some manufacturing processes are determined in detail, adaptation to local resources is apparent in the use of whalebone, and there was a clear appreciation of the functional value of different materials and bone types. Previously unrecognised objects were identified, including a whalebone vertebral disc, used as a trial piece for interlace decoration. There is an appendix providing evidence for colouring and inlay (228).

Cropmarks of a square, double-ditched IA/RB enclosure, a Roman temporary camp and another sub-rectangular enclosure were excavated in advance of road building. All monuments were plough damaged. The square enclosure contained six intersecting circular buildings, one surrounded by a ditch, and three sunken features with charcoal rich fills. A cobbled surface in the south-east corner may indicate a Roman road. Radiocarbon dates from the enclosure ranged from 145~BC to AD~415 and 1285~BC to 230~BC. The Roman camp contained postholes rich in charred barley and wheat. The third and earliest enclosure was defended by a ditch and palisade; the temporary camp re-used part of its ditch. An oven, probably associated with the Roman camp, was also found in the third enclosure. Three cremation burials were found north of the square enclosure. Two were contained in collared urns, which were found in small cists. The third was in a pit and unaccompanied. There are notes on: `The pottery' by A MacSween (264, 265); `Thin section petrology of the vessels' by D Dixon (264); `The cremated bone' by S Parker (264, 266); `The trumpet brooch' by L Allason-Jones (266--7); `The penannular brooch, sword and sickle' by O Owen & R Welander (267--8); `Other copper alloy and iron objects' by B A Ford (268); `The glass' by J Henderson (268--9); `The coarse stone' by A Clarke (269); `The vitreous waste from enclosure A' by E Slater & D A Johnston (269); `The charred plant remains' by S Boardman (270); `The soils' by S Carter (271--2); `Radiocarbon dates' M Dalland (273).

Early modern antiquarian evidence for the terminus location.

A lightly incised, animal-headed, Pictish figure is described and analysed in the context of Pictish art and of its find spot. A seventh-century date is proposed.

Reports the results of limited excavations in the bailey during 1984 and 1985 -- before and after work to stabilise the curtain wall. Clear evidence for primary occupation in the twelfth century and a substantial masonry building phase in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries was revealed.

Discusses the original location of the wall-hangings thought to have been made in an Edinburgh workshop in the early-seventeenth century.

Reports a deliberately constructed, sub-rectangular pool cut into the gravels of the stream course, along with several large post-pits. Specialist reports include `Macroscopic plant remains' by Sheila Boardman (497--8) and `Palynological assessment' by Richard Tipping (498--9).

Presents a survey of the industry in its economic context using documentary sources and structural survey.