Series: GUARD Archaeology Limited unpublished report series

An archaeological watching brief was carried out during groundworks associated with the construction of a new garage in the garden to the rear of 12 Friar's Lane Lanark. The work revealed no features or deposits of archaeological interest with much of the excavated material comprising recent building debris. A ceramic field drain was uncovered and may relate to earlier agricultural activity on site

A programme of archaeological works comprising watching brief, monitored strip/excavation and evaluation was carried out by GUARD Archaeology Ltd in advance of development at 13 Warriston Road. The development area has had several uses since the mid-eighteenth century, including use as agricultural land and as playing fields. The earliest demonstrable development of the site was in the early twentieth century, when a football ground was constructed. By 1933, the land was the location of three blocks of kennels and, most recently, was the site of a DIY store and associated parking. The present work followed an initial evaluation which uncovered several features of archaeological potential including the possible footings of a drystone wall/stone platform in the north/west area of the proposed development site. The work revealed no further features of archaeological potential other than the very degraded wall footing/stone platform discovered during the earlier evaluation phase. Several features including a concrete platform associated with the modern use of the site as a dog kennels was also uncovered. Artefacts included one small fragment of prehistoric pottery rim sherd, post medieval pottery fragment and animal bone. The prehistoric pottery was analysed and dated to the early Bronze Age; the later pottery provided a date range of late sixteenth to early twentieth century for activity on the site

An archaeological watching brief was required at 175 Dean Road, Bo'ness in support of Planning Application: P/17/0590/FUL. The works involved monitoring the demolition of the existing public house and the monitoring of ground disturbance, including the grubbing out of existing foundations and excavation of new foundations and drainage, with the aim of establishing the presence, extent and nature of any significant archaeological remains prior to their disturbance.

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by GUARD Archaeology Limited in relation to the excavation for foundations in relation to a proposed extension to the rear at 26-28 Bloomgate, Lanark. During the watching brief no features of archaeological sensitivity were uncovered, the only features noted were the remains of an square brick feature housing an oil/fuel tank and a short section of a brick wall.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at the site of Moredun Mill in Gilmerton, Edinburgh. The evaluation consisted of 10% of the 0.77 ha development site. A number of walls and floor surfaces were uncovered that may relate to the mill or its later use as a laundry.

A watching brief was maintained during groundworks associated with construction of an extension to the existing house. A small area of stones possibly from a foundation was uncovered in one of the new foundation trenches. No dating evidence was found associated with it although there was a lot of modern disturbance in the immediate area. As the site is in the immediate vicinity of the line of the Antonine Wall it could be associated although any connection can not be demonstrated.

Watching Brief

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by GUARD Archaeology Limited, working on behalf of Bellway Homes, on an area proposed for a new residential development at Abbey Lane, Edinburgh. The trial trench evaluation sampled 10% (790 m²) of the total area proposed for development (0.79 ha). A total of 14 trenches which varied in length between 12 m and 40 m were excavated between 22nd August and 13th September 2016. During the evaluation a number of features of post-medieval date, relating to the mid-19th century railway yard located on the site were uncovered. No archaeological significant features were uncovered during the works and the site was shown to have been heavily truncated and built up during the 19th century.

Archaeological evaluation of cropmark and greenfield site

GUARD Archaeology Limited undertook an archaeological desk-based assessment of two areas proposed for afforestation at Angus Glen in Angus. The aims of the study were to assess evidence for the past human use of the area, its archaeological sensitivity, and the potential impact of any development upon the archaeological resource. The assessment indicates that there are two known, and nine previously unknown cultural heritage sites within the areas proposed for afforestation that could potentially be directly affected by the proposal. These consist of Brocklas farmstead and Glen Moy farmstead, seven field boundaries, a brick oven, and a drainage enclosure. None of these sites is designated and are of lesser cultural heritage significance. A further 39 cultural heritage sites, including a Scheduled Monument and a Listed Building, are located within the surrounding 1 km buffers.