Big Cousland Dig 2008

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With archaeological and historical advice and support from

Connolly Heritage Consultancy

Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society

Scottish Detector Club

AOC Archaeology Ltd

CFA Archaeology

George Haggarty

Louise Yeoman

East and Midlothian Young Archaeologist Clubs

Iain Fraser

Bi Cousland Di

2007/2008

The Cousland Local Histor Pro ect


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page 1

Big Cousland Dig - Community Archaeology Project

Table of Contents

1.0 SUMMARY 4

2.0 INTRODUCTION 5

3.0 OBJECTIVES 7

.0 METHODOLOGY 8

5.0 RESULTS 13

5.1 CASTLE FIELD Area 1 13

5.1.1 Geophysics (Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society) 13

5.1.2 Metal Detecting (Scottish Detector Club) (Appendix 4) 11

5.1.3 Excavation (Figure 3) 19

5.1.4 Historic Building Record 22

5.1.5 Historical Research (Cousland Historical Society and Louise Yeoman) 26

5.3 POTTERY FIELD Area 2 38

5.3.1 Geophysics (Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society) (Figure 4) 38

5.3.2 Field Walking (Figure 4) 39


5.3.4 Ceramic Report George Haggerty 415.4 WINDMILL PLANTATION Area 3 43

5.4.1 Clearance 43


5.4.3 Historic Building Record 46

5.4.4 Historic Analysis (Iain Fraser RCAHMS) 47

6.0 CONCLUSIONS 49

LLUSTRATIONS

igure 1: Location plan 3igure 2: Site Investigation p an 6

igure 3: Area1 location of geophysics, detecting, trenches and elevations 10

igure 4: Area 2 location of fieldwalking grid, geophysics and distribution plot 11

igure 5: Area 3 location of trenches, elevations and area of clearance 12

igure 6: Southwest Elevation in Castle Field 23

igure 7: Castle Elevation 24

igure 8: 1750 Roy Map and 1st Edition OCS map (1854) 44

igure 9: Plans, elevations and details of windmill 45

ppendix 1: Trench List & Context Listppendix 2: hotograph List

ppendix 3: Artefact List

ppendix 4: Metal Detecting Artefact List

ppendix 5: Ceramic List


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100 km 10 km

Figure No. 1: Site Location Map

Reproducion of Ordnance Surveymap details with the permission of theController of HMSO Crown CopyrightOS Licence AL 52480A0001


Glasgow Edinburgh

Aberdeen

Inverness

North Sea

1km

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

Areas of investigation

1. Castle and Walled garden

2. Pottery Brae3. Windmill Hill


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1.0 SUMMARY

community archaeology project was carried out at the

illage of Cousland in Midlothian. The sites that formed

the investigations were located in a field to the west of

Cousland, the environs of the castle and walled garden inthe centre of the village and the windmill to the southwest.

The work consisted of field walking and geophysical

survey with the intention of locating the actual pottery

site, geophysics to locate structures in the environs of the

castle and walled garden and a metal detecting survey to

inpoint any metal objects in both the walled garden and

the field directly to the south of the castle. Excavations were

carried out to test the geophysics results in the pottery

eld, to locate the missing wall of the castle, the layout

and walls of the residential structure adjacent to the castle,to locate the greenhouse and to investigate geophysics

esults inside the walled garden. Research was also carried

out to place all the known structures into their historical

context. The ruined windmill was cleared of vegetation

and a test trench was put in to investigate the potential for

subsurface structures. These works were commissioned

y Cousland Local History Project and funded entirely by

The Heritage Lottery Fund. The work was undertaken in October 2007, April 2008

and July 2008. The pottery field was restricted to one test trench due to time

estrictions and excavation was limited to 2m away from the walls of the castle

and walled garden due to their scheduled ancient monuments(SAM) status

and safety considerations. The field to the north of the castle was restricted to

geophysical and metal detecting surveys as limitation on time restricted any

other work being carried out.

The work will enable the interpretation of the known standing structures of

Cousland and develop a research strategy for the newly discovered sites. This

roject will also form the basis for a future educational/artistic and interpretation

roject.

urther work required includes continued excavation as well as documentarystudy and ceramic research of the pottery site. A strategy needs to be developed

or further investigations of the residence adjacent to the castle and the castle itself

equires more detailed architectural recording. Excavations will also be required

to investigate the geophysics results in the south field and a conservation plan

eeds to be drawn up for the future protection of the windmill.

Topsoil removed in

Trench 2, within the

Castle.


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2.0 INTRODUCTION

.1 Site location

The sites are located in three distinct settings within and in the immediatevicinity of Cousland village. The village itself lies some 4km to the northeastof Dalkeith and 10km to the east of Edinburgh (Figure 1 .

Area 1- Castle field (NT377683) an area roughly 150m x 100m in size, in the

southwest corner of the village, containing the castle, walled garden and field

directly to the south.

Area 2- Pottery field (NT370677) the area of a field to the south west of the road

eading to Dalkeith, and comprising the upper flat area before the field slopes

down to the west.

Area 3- Windmill Plantation (NT377681) defined by a circular wooded area to the

south of the village.

gure 2 shows in greater details the areas and the scope of works carried out in

each location.

.2 Site History

arge amount of historical research carried out previously by the Cousland

ocal History Project, looked closely at the lime works and the blacksmiths

or smiddy. As a direct consequence of this research, the current project was

envisaged to try to piece together the evolution of Cousland to be carried out as

a community activity.

The village of Cousland has a long history documented as far back as 1160. It has

owever been diffi cult to place the village into a proper historical context, given

the paucity of records, maps and archaeological investigations.

There are several prehistoric enclosures located by RCAHMS in the surrounding

countryside attributed to the Iron Age and Cousland is also known from a

contemporary map of the battle of Carberry Hill.

ittle information exists for the 16th and 17th centuries save for reports of

supposed witches from Cousland being tried in 1630 at Dalkeith. Cousland limes also mentioned in the Edinburgh Burgh records of 1557 and appears to be

quite a considerable industry at that time.

Old maps of the area confirm the presence of several of the features investigated

n this project. General Roys map from the 1750s clearly shows the residence

n the castle field and the presence of the windmill (Figure 8), though at this

time there is no sign of the Pottery. The later first edition OS map of 1854 again

shows no pottery structures, fitting the lifespan of the industry to between 1750

and 1850. The windmill is also shown as disused by this time, and the residence

adjacent to the castle is no longer shown, suggesting demolition during the

ntervening time.

revious to this project there have only been two known archaeological

nvestigations in and around Cousland. Most recently by CFA, an archaeological

Crumbling corner ofthe castle, Cousland.


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338000E337000E

Contours at 5m intervals

Building or structure

Area of investigation

Wall

Figure No. 2: Site Investigations

668000N


Area 1

Area 2

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

0 500 m

T1

T3

T2

T5T4

0

0

100 m

100 m

Metal detecting area

Areas of trenchinggeophysics and detecting

Areas of trenching, geophysicsand surface collection


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company, who carried out a survey in advance of the A68 bypass extension

around 2005/6. Although mention of a site was first made in 1852, the first known

scientific investigation took place in 1957, when evidence of a number of burials

as discovered when digging holes for a fence. One burial was fully excavated and

ound to be laid in a long cist. There were capstones about 1 below the surface, and

aving: the sides were of irregular stones, four on each side. The cist was 6 long by a

aximum of 19 wide internally, and was oriented ENE-WSW. There were certainly

t ree more cists at t e site, an pro a y a goo many more. T e 1852 Or nance

Survey Name Book also noted cists containing human remains immediately adjacent

to Windmill Plantation on the south side of the road. (Confusingly, the road in fact

uns north-south, so the location of the cists still remain uncertain.)

3.0 OBJECTIVES

I order to ascertain the location of an 18thcentury pottery, known to exist from historicalecords, field walking was planned to collect

surface pottery and associated items that was

ound to be present in large quantities within an

area of a field near to Cousland. The collected

nds were to be studied by a pottery specialist

to confirm a type and date period. At the

same time a geophysical survey (resistivity and

agnotometry) was to take place over the same

area to locate any kilns and associated buildings.

There was some evidence to suggest that a structure, most likely a glass house

existed near the west wall of the walled garden, and was deemed necessary to

test this theory with excavation. The castle structure which forms part of the eastside of the walled garden is in a ruinous state with a missing east wall. In order to

obtain a better understanding of the castle structure itself the missing wall would

eed to be located. The lodgings, adjacent to the castle with only its west wall

artially remaining required investigation to obtain a clearer picture of its extent

and layout. It was also felt that there may be other structures located within the

alled garden area. It was planned to carry out a geophysical survey to locate any

nknown structures and to try to locate the presence of the glass house, castle wall

and lodging walls. A metal detecting survey of the same area was also planned in

order to detect any metal finds. It was decided to open trenches around the area

of the glass house, the missing east wall of the castle and selected areas of theodgings. Trenches would also be opened if the geophysics results showed up any

anomalies within the site.

t was felt that there may be possible buildings or burials lying within the south field,

given the close proximity to the castle and the evidence of the 1957 report1 and the

id 19th century OS Name Book both reporting on cist findings. A geophysical

survey was to be carried out in this area in order to obtain some initial evidence to

ork from. A metal detecting survey was also to be carried out in this area to locate

any surface metal objects.

Setting out the grid

for Fieldwalking

Henshall, A S (1957 a) Northland Farm, Cousland, Discovery Excav Scot, 1957, 21

2 Ordnance Survey (Name Book) (1852) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey Book No.19, 46,


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The windmill site containing the ruins of a 17th/18th century windmill and

adjacent platform required to be carefully cleared of overgrown vegetation

around the ruined arch. It was also deemed important to ascertain with test

trenches whether there were any other structures associated with the site.

.0 METHODOLOGY

I the castle field (Area 1) it was decided to carry out a range of activities andnvestigations that would suit both the site and the range of people who wereto be involved in the project. Initially, a geophysical survey was carried out, inorder to target any likely areas for excavation. (Figure 3) This was then followed

y further work to extend the geophysics and also a series of five trenches to

nvestigate both anomalies and potential features. The decision was taken to

ocate the greenhouse in trench 1, the east wall of the castle in trench 2, and

to investigate a square feature found by geophysics in trench 3. Trench 4 was

ositioned to try to find the south wall of the residence and trench 5 to provide

an idea of the depth of deposits and perhaps the east wall of the same structure.

t the same time, a metal detecting survey was carried out across the whole

area, and two elevations of the castle and adjacent residence were drawn up by

two volunteers from the Big Cousland Dig team. The results it was hoped would

nform and evaluate for future work, and teach as wide a variety of techniques as

ossible, allowing all ages and abilities to be involved. Historian, Louise Yeoman

rovided valuable information gained from her historical research and held a

orkshop in the village hall to share the findings with interested parties. She

also provided details of how and where to research historical records.

The Area 2 pottery field was investigated in a similar multi disciplinary way, under

the supervision of the project archaeologist, the Edinburgh Archaeological Field

Society (EAFS) and ceramic specialist George Haggarty. A gridded area of 5etre squares was surveyed in, and all pottery, bricks and other artefacts were

collected, cleaned, logged and described. This was used in conjunction with a

geophysical magnetometre survey3 most suitable for finding kilns and other

eat affected structures, along with resistivity which was carried out by members

of the EAFS. (Figure 4) Finally as a result of a positive resitivity report a small

evaluation trench was opened to give an idea of the depth and preservation of

the structures shown.

Left to right:

Detecting, Geophysics,

Survey, Excavation.

Every kind of material has unique magnetic properties, even those that we do not think of as being

magnetic. Different materials below the ground can cause local disturbances in the Earths magnetic fieldhat are detectable with sensitive magnetometers. Magnetometers react very strongly to iron of course,

and brick, burned soil, and many types of rock are also magnetic, and archaeological features composed of

hese materials are very detectable. http://en.wikipedia.org


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The windmill within the plantation was investigated by both a brief buildings

ecord of the profile and vault elevation, as well as two small evaluation trenches

to provide data on depth of soil build up and the survival and preservation of the

structure. Prior to this, it was necessary to clear the covering of vegetation as well as

emove two small dangerous tree stumps, threatening to destabilise the windmill

aulting.

ll these investigations were designed to provide a body of information to inform

uture decisions regarding continued research and excavation. It was also hoped to

answer the initial questions concerning the shaping of the village of Cousland over

the past thousand years.


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337900E

668200N

Location of Area 1

Wall

Trench Resistivity plotwith features

ElevationExpectedwalls

Figure No.3: Area 1 : Castle field, showing trenches andresistivity plots


Area 1: Castle field

Area 1rea 1

Area 2rea 2

Area 3rea 3

T1

T3 T5

0 100 m

T2

T4

WalledG

arden

Castle

Feature

Greenhouse

Residence

Cousland

Plan on left shows the areas subjected to Resistivity surveyand the location of trenches 1 - 5.

The suspected wall lines are shown in orange, based onboth geophysical anomalies and structural featuresrecognised in the upstanding walls.

Metal detecting took place in the area that was covered bygeophysics.

Two elevations were recorded and are marked in red.

Possible features are outlined in yellow.Southfield


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667700N

667700N

337300E

337300E

Location of Area 2

Trench

surfacecollection grid

Resistivity plot

Magnetometer plot

Figure No.4: Area 2 : Pottery Field


Area 1rea 1

Area 2rea 2

Area 3rea 3

Cousland

Plan on left shows the areas subjected to resistivity andmagnetometer survey.

The clear magnetometer plot shows the location of 3circular features, which are interpreted as kilns.

A trench was excavated as shown to investigate survival ofsub surface features.

The Grid represents the area covered with gridded surfacecollection.

0

100 m

100 m0

Areas of trenching, magnetometerand surface collection

Areas of trenching, resistivityand surface collection

evaluation trench

evaluation trench

Area 2 : Pottery field

Area 2 : Pottery field

1

5

9

13

17

21

25

29

29

2

6

10

14

18

22

26

30

30

3

7

11

15

19

23

27

31

31

4

8

12

16

20

24

28

32

32

91

149

68

106

5

13

5

70

64

85

15

0

0

0

42

58

53

4

0

11

16

62

42

40

23

0

14

9

39

50

12

35

6

1

2

29

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50

43

1

0

0

34

12

39

4

0

7

5

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27

19

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0

7

1

14

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2

32

8

7

3

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9

4

8

4

1

0

18

5

2

5

0

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43

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33

19

23

25

18

10

39

47

18

39

1

29

2

38

37

48

38

16

15

15

Whiteware (18th century)

Whiteware (19th century)

Redware (18th century)

Kiln material and Kiln Furniture

Anomalies visible on Magnetometer survey

Field walking results (statistical graph and sherd count)


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5.0 RESULTS

5.1 CASTLE FIELD Area 1

5.1.1 Geophysics (Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society)

Summary

area ground resistance survey, totalling 7,600 sq.m .. was conducted in

the field in which the remains of Cousland Castle or Tower House stands. A

urther 3,200 sq.m. were surveyed in the field that lies immediately to the south

of the castle field.

n t e area a jacent to t e cast e istorica ocuments s owe apparent anci ary

uildings and Cousland Nunnery was reputed to lie further to the south.

The field surrounding the castle appears to have been quarried for limestone

educing the field level by about 0.5m and thus destroying any foundations

that were close to the castle. The eastern entrance to the castle stands on solid

imestone bedrock some 0.5m.above present field level. It is presumed that

the topsoil was replaced over the main area of the field subsequent to the

quarrying.

igh resistance patches, to the east of the wall that runs southwards from the

castle, looked as though there could however be some remaining demolition

debris. Other areas of high and low resistance were amorphous in shape

suggesting that holes left from excavation, infilled with possible topsoil and

therefore low resistance, together with patches of high resistance where the

imestone had probably not been removed, indicated quarrying activity rather

than building.

The 2,000 sq.m. surveyed beside the south fence of the field and the 3,200 sq.m.

that were surveyed in the adjacent field to the south show rectangular and square

eatures that are very suggestive of building footings. These extend to the east

rom the 20 by 20 metre squares beside the road for at least 50 metres.

Work on the resistivity

survey within the

Castle Field and WalledGarden.


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curtailed by the garden fences of houses to the east; thirteen metre rows were

easured and seven entered as dummies. Four further squares were laid out,

ater in the day, on the south side of the wire fence; these are aligned with the

our most westerly squares on the south side of the fence. Due to the diffi culty

of making measurements close to the fence there is a 2.0m gap between the

squares measured in the morning and those in the afternoon.

The final survey was made on 5 April 2008 of four 20 by 20m. squares that

adjoined, on the south side, those that had been recorded on 29 March. As on

revious surveys the start was made in the southwest corner and proceeded zig-

ag across the four squares. All 20 by 20m.squares are shown in the site plan

(Figure 3)

The TRlCIA area ground resistance measuring equipment was used throughout

the survey. The equipment operates in the twin configuration in which two of

the probes are mounted on a portable frame 0.5m apart. They comprise one

current input and one potential measurement probe. The two remote probes,

again one for current input and one for potential measurement, complete the

two circuits; t ey are inserte a out 1.0 m apart an are positione so t at noeading is taken with the portable frame nearer than 15m to them. All readings

ere taken at 1.0 m intervals in lanes 1.0 m wide with the 400 measurements in

each 20 by 20m. square recorded walking zig-zag north and south up and down

the 20m. lanes. In surveying the larger area there was a requirement to move

the remote probes due to the limited length of the cable. A final reading was

taken with the probes in their initial position; the probes were then moved and

their distance apart adjusted to obtain, as near as possible, the same resistance

eading on the metre. A small resistance difference can be corrected during the

rint out process using the computer edge matching facility.

The unit on the frame generates the 137Hz signal current that flows through

the ground and the potential drop is detected by the measurement probes; the

computer in the unit converts this voltage reading in to a ground resistance value

n ohms. Within the unit is the display, that indicates this resistance, together

ith the data store into which the readings are dumped for later processing and

rinting. The data were down loaded, via the RS232 interface, to a computer and

rinter running the programme Snuffl er. The printout is in grey scale with the

lack and white limits chosen based upon the highest and lowest ohms readings

ecorded. It is normal practice to print high resistance (well drained areas and

edrock) as black and low resistance (infilled ditches and damp areas) as white.Computer processing of the data includes the facility to average between

adjacent metre squares and thence to half metre /squares, this gives a printout

that shows smoother gradation than would be the case if the pixel size had not

een reduced from the original 1.Om square., It is normal to use a final processed

sample size of 0.25m. The black to white ohms range is shown in the printouts as

s the processed sample size.

Example of a resistivity

plot - the darker areas

show positive features.

(North is to the right)


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esults

The large amorphous high and low resistance areas on both the east and westsides of the castle seem to confirm that the limestone bedrock, that originallyay close to the old land surface, has been removed in places, to a depth of about

0.5m. The eastern entry in to the castle, which now stands about this height

above field level on a solid limestone foundation, would appear to confirm this

supposition. The removed topsoil was probably spread back over the field and

nfilled the excavated areas. The infilling, due to holding more moisture, appears

as lower resistance in the printouts.

The British Geological Survey maps of the area, Ref. 8.1, support this interpretation.

The Solid geology is shown as comprising sections of both the North Greens and

Top Hosie Limestones that form part of the Carboniferous Group. On the Drift

geology map artificial deposits and worked ground together with bedrock at or

ear the surface or beneath artificial deposits are recorded.

The area between the west wall of the walled garden and the castle has been

evelled for about 65m.southwards from the north wall. At that point the groundises quite sharply and incorporates a linear high resistance that could represent

the south wall of the garden; this appears in the final 20 by 20m. square surveyed

on 20 February 2007. To the south of this change in level of the field the ground

slopes gently up to the southern fence with the field to the south of the fence

eing roughly level. Within the walled garden it is diffi cult to interpret any

significant anomalous features. Two vague high resistance lines run parallel to

the west wall and may relate to a series of socket holes on the wall suggesting

that a lean-to greenhouse may have existed. The only other small feature appears

ithin about l5m.of the west wall of the castle on a different alignment.

There is historical record of buildings in the field to the south-east of the castle

and features on the wall that runs to the south from the castle confirm that a

ange did exist in that direction. Two significant high resistance spots that lay to

the east of butting points on to this wall could represent demolition debris.

The five 20 by 20m. squares surveyed on the south side of the field show no

obvious features at the eastern end where they were curtailed by garden fencing;

the amorphous high resistance appears to be limestone bedrock. The two squares

on the west side are significantly lower in resistance and show possible linear

eatures that run north-south about 2 and 7 metres east of the road. A squarestructure, divided symmetrically into four, appears 20m. from the road and about

7m. south of the fence.

The eight 20 by 20m. squares surveyed in the field to the south of the fence show

a series of raised resistance lines, again mainly aligned approximately north

south, parallel with and starting adjacent to the road. These could be linked, in

the three most southerly squares adjacent to the road, by more pronounced

igh resistance lines aligned east west. The fmal square, in the extreme south

east corner of the survey, has a high resistance line that runs almost parallel to its

eastern edge with an apparent turn to the east at the northern end. It must be

assumed that this feature extends outside the surveyed area.


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Conclusion

The initial aim of attempting to detect ancillary buildings adjacent to thecastle was relatively unsuccessful apparently due to the removal of limestoneedrock and its replacement by worked ground. The remains of an old lime kiln

ithin the wood some 200m to the south suggest that this explanation is likely

to be correct. The area to the southeast of the castle, alongside the wall that runs

to t e sout , i in icate two ig resistance areas t at appeare to re ate to

uildings that had their west ends incorporated in this wall but most of the area

appears to have suffered from limestone extraction.

The area within the walled garden shows no significant features and must have

een excavated for limestone except at its southern end. The assumed south wall

of the garden does not extend clearly to the wall beside the road and appears to

stop some lam short of this wall in a square feature. The survey did not extend

to the east to ascertain whether a similar square feature was detectable at this

end.

The survey at the southern end of the field and in the next field to the south wassignificantly more successful in detecting rectangular shaded higher resistance

outlines that can be interpreted as man made structures. It was suggested that,

due to small fids, the nunnery buildings could have been located in this area and

the rectangular outlines are plausible foundations for these buildings. The main

igh resistance features run at right angles to the road which, at this point, is

aligned about ten degrees west of grid north. The small subdivided square, that

ies about 20m. east of the road and 8m north of the wire fence, is on this same

alignment. The less pronounced raised resistance lines that run from the main

igh resistance features possibly extend over 30m.to the north and may have

een detected on the edge of the field to the north.

The linear high resistance, that lies on the edge of the square in the extreme south

east corner of the survey, is aligned slightly differently. This wall runs almost due

orth and south with a right angled turn to the east at its northern end. This

could be construed as west wall of a building laid out more accurately on an east

est axis and therefore more likely to be of ecclesiastical origin or possibly in a

different building phase from those on the different alignment.

cknowledgements

The Society records its thanks to all who made this project possible and successful.

avid Connolly, who issued the first invitation for the Society to become involved in the

surveys in conjunction with the Cousland Local History Project.

avid was also instrumental in organising the grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This covered ground resistance equipment expenses, travel, administration, part of

embers insurance on site and the preparation and printing of this report.

The data processing was carried out by Jan Hawkins who also supplied the ground

esistance printouts for the illustrations.

ourteen Society members contributed to the 35 member days during the five days of

survey; they are:athleen Allenach, Alan Calder, Graeme Collie, Charles Conner, Val Dean, Hugh

inwoodie, Jan Hawkins, David lones, Bill Mac1ennan, Don Matthews, Tom Sharp, Denis

Smith, Jill Strobridge and Brian Tait.


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5.1.2 Metal Detecting (Scottish Detector Club) (Appendix 4)

Members of the Scottish Detecting Club, kindly offered to help the Big Cousland

ig, by expertly sweeping the area for any metallic finds, both in the fields, and also

n the trenches, to alert us to any missed items. Indeed it could be said that some

of the best artefacts came from their survey. No discernable

attern was picked up, and no significant concentrations were

observed. However, the items that were recovered do in someay represent the later history of Cousland. From the 16th

century came the buckle of a shoe (Find MD 008), from a person

ho would have known Cousland at the time of Mary Queen of

Scots and the Battle of Carberry4 and when both the Castle

and Residence were standing. The restoration of the monarchy

can be seen from two 1670s Charles II turners, (Find MD013

an MD 050) and then the disastrous end of the Stewart Kings

ith James IIs infamous Gun Money , how did this coin end

p here? A 1797 George III Cartwheel penny6 (MD 075) brings

s into the industrial age, when the pottery, windmill, smiddy

and walled garden would all have been built only 5 to 25 yearsearlier. A link to World War II can be found in a fragment of a

Mills Grenade (Find MD 001) which may have

een used during a live ammunition exercise in

the quarry to the south.

Find MD 50

Scotish Turner

with cleaned

example below.

Find MD 52 James

VI Gun money with

cleaned example

below.Above left: late 16th century buckleAbove right: 1940s army issue webbing buckle.

On a hot sunny day on Carberry Hill in June 1567, Queen Mary spent her last few hours of freedom. It is

suggested she was taken first to Cousland Castle the Ruthvens Residence before she began her captivity,

rst in Scotland and then in England, which was only to end 20 years later in her execution.

5 Gun money was an issue of coins made by the forces of James II during the Irish Civil War between 1689and 1691. Minted in base metal, these were designed to be redeemed for silver coins following a victory by

James II and consequently bore the date in months to allow a gradual replacement. As James lost the war,

hat replacement never took place, although the coins were allowed to circulate at much reduced values

before the copper coinage was resumed.They were mostly withdrawn from circulation in the early 18th

century.

The first copper coins that Boulton minted for the British Government are know as cartwheels, because of

heir large size and raised rims. 500 tons of these penny and also twopenny pieceswere minted in 1797


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rench 3

Trench three was sited to investigate a square anomaly located by geophysics

ithin the walled garden. The square 5 metre trench was extended to the north

y a further 2 metre extension, but it soon became apparent that it contained

the same deposits uncovered in trench 1. A topsoil horizon sat over a mixed

ayer before coming down onto a heavier clay rich soil at around 0.30 0.40 m

depth. No sign of the feature was found, and no clue to what may have caused

the anomaly was established.

rench 4

Trench four turned into one of the most interesting and promising investigations,

roviding most of the finds, and several key pieces of evidence. One of the last

trenches to be opened, all people who worked on it, of all ages, enjoyed exploring

the evidence that came from the surviving layers. A layer of stones running east

est [4006] soon became recognisable as the backfill of a robbed out wall some

0.90m wide. Although heavily truncated, it was clear that the entire building,

Above: Trench 3 under

excavation.

Below: Trench 4

directing the work.


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dubbed the Residence had been demolished completely, with

only the west wall remaining as a clue to its existence (though it can

e seen on General Roys map of the 1750s Figure 8). Deposits

excavated to the south (exterior) and north (interior) were clearly

different, and from the interior deposits [4004] came several ceramic

tems dating to the late 17th and 18th centuries, confirming use and

terminus post quem for the structure it clearly did not survive into

t e 19t century. Severa ones were recovere , an uring t e

ashing of the finds, it was ascertained that one, a right calcaneus

Tarsus7 was human. This must represent disturbed burials from an

earlier date, and raises once again the possibility of either a chapel

and graveyard nearby, or that the soil used to level the area for

agricultural use was brought from nearby, and we have previously

ecorded that human remains were found only 100metres away

ear the windmill plantation. Because the residence was obviously

standing when the walled garden was built, it would have escaped

the quarrying found in trench 2, and although the deposits were

truncated by later agriculture, it is obvious that in situ deposits still

survive ere.

rench 5

Trench five was excavated, only to a depth of

0.30m, however, it too came down to the top of a

obbed out wall, with rubble fill within a presumed

oundation cut. It was decided that given the

time, it was reasonable to record the presence ofarchaeological deposits surviving beneath 0.30m

elow ground surface. Again, it seemed there

ad been a deliberate and total demolition of the

esidence, and further examination if possible would

rovide further archaeological evidence concerning

this building.

Above: Trench 4

exposing the robbed

wall, with volunteers of

all ages.

Left: The human

calcaneus, and location

within the foot.

Below: Recording the

final levels of Trench 5 .

7 large bone in the human foot above the heel.


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5.1.4 Historic Building Record

Two Elevations were picked to best represent the

architectural and chronological phasing of the

alled garden / castle site. The first long elevation

Figure 6) was created along the south north wall

eading to the castle, and continued through the

castle as a cross section. The second was a sectionof castle wall in the southwest corner (Figure 7)

that showed the relationship between the earlier

indows and the courtyard wall that was built

against the castle to the south. All the drawing

as carried out by the project volunteers, and

hotographic images were used to enhance the

ase rawings, t at were pro uce at 1:50. From

these records it was possible to produce accurate

stone by stone CAD elevations. The three main

hases of construction were as follows.

hase 1. The castle, consists of thick rubble filledalls of local limestones with sandstone quoins.

nternal features include aumbries and within

the thicker north wall, there is evidence for the

existence of a large fireplace with a water spout to

the side, leading from an external source (probably

rom the roof). The surrounds of the doors and

indows are all of high quality grey quartzite

ich sandstone, with thick chamfered mouldings

on the jambs. The walls are built directly onto a bedrock outcrop. The vaultedchamber is unusual, as it seems to be a first floor feature, and corbels that run

along the south internal face of the wall, as well as joist holes, indicate that the

surviving remains are two stories of a possible four story structure. The style of

castle appears to be of a late 15th century design.

hase 2. The residence and courtyard wall are constructed of sandstone andough angular local stone, and the thickness of walling does not exceed 0.60m.

To the south of the wall there is ample evidence of a mid/late 16th century

structure thought to be a residence. Tusking stones show the northern boundary

of the main building, with the gap between this structure and the castle, beinglled with a skin wall that effectively forces the blocking of the two windows in

the castle south wall. Two blocked windows with chamfered jambs and angled

ngoes, that would have let light in through the small window openings, suggest

that although there would not have been a requirement any longer for defensive

castled structures, the building is still semi-defensible. There are two aumbries

or cupboards set in the wall, and between these features is a door jamb which

s ows t e ui ing was two rooms eep. Given t e stan ar constructiona

easurements of similar buildings of the period it would measure approximately

10 metres wide by 30 metres long (or more appropriately in feet and inches, as

this was how it was built- c. 30ft wide and 90 ft long). A central stair would have

een flanked by rooms on either side, with apartments above. It is too early to

conjecture the precise layout, and we can only be sure it stood from a period of

approx. 1500 to a time between 1750 and 1800.

Careful recording of theResidence elevation.


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northwest southeast

Figure No. 6: soutwest external h elevation


0 5 m

Phase 1 CastlePhase2 Residence

Phase3(?) later entrance to walled garden

Phase3 Walled Garden

Window Tusking stones

cut bedrock

Window

Aumbry/Cupboard Aumbry/Cupboard

door jamb door jamb

floor surface interior of castle

Rear wall return

158.48MaOD


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southwest northeast

Figure No. 7: southwest external elevation of castle


0 5 m

158.48

MaOD

Blocked window


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hase 3.This segment of the wall to the south, is a butt joint that is not tied intothe residence. This wall represents the massive walled garden, that is now securely

dated to a period when the Dalrymple family had taken over the estate around

1690 and began a series of improvements. It is of interest that the lower courses

of the massive north wall of the garden, is of the same material as the castle, and

t is suspected that the castle was robbed of stone, and then a quarry extended

eneath it, until all rock was exhausted, with only the walls incorporated into the

alled garden remaining. After the available local stone was used, the gardenas completed with material from another location, which is still to be found,

though it could be close to the pottery site to the west of the village.

Measured recording of

the Residence


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5.1.5 Historical Research (Louise Yeoman)

There is a wealth of historical documentation that has been collected from various

sources, but it is also clear that there is a vast untapped resource to be found both

n the Stair papers of the Dalrymples, and within the National Archives. It is most

nteresting that the archaeology has independently correlated with historical

events. These events themselves are fairly complex and will take more time to

recisely document, however, a timeline can be constructed, which includesootnotes for significant events that Cousland either witnessed or was directly or

ndirectly involved in.

imeline of Cousland

1180 - 1476 - St Clairs of Roslin

illiam St. Clair was the Fourth Baron of Roslin; Third Baron of Pentland; and the

irst Baron Cousland, inherited in 1180, died 1214.

There is mention of Cousland in a charter of William The Lion around the late

12th century, that may relate to the lands, being in some way connected with the

bbey of Dunfermline.

enri Fifth Baron of Roslin; Fourth Baron of Pentland; Second Baron Cousland

n erite 1214, ie 1222.

enri Sixth Baron of Roslin, Fifth Baron of Pentland, Third Baron Cousland

nherited 1222, died 1270

illiam Seventh Baron of Roslin; Sixth Baron of Pentland; Fourth Baron Couslandorn 1220; inherited 1270; died 1296

enry Eighth Baron of Roslin; Seventh Baron of Pentland; Fifth Baron Cousland

orn 1270, inherited 1296, built Roslin Castle 1304, died 1335

illiam Ninth Baron of Roslin; Eighth Baron of Pentland; Sixth Baron Cousland

orn 1328, inherited 1335, died 1358

enry Tenth Baron of Roslin; Ninth Baron of Pentland; Seventh Baron Cousland;

irst Earl of Orkney Born 1347, inherited 1358, died 1400

enry Eleventh Baron of Roslin; Tenth Baron of Pentland; Eighth Baron Cousland;

Second Earl of Orkney Born 1384, inherited 1400, died 1420

illiam the Chapel-builder; Twelfth Baron Roslin; Eleventh Baron Pentland; Ninth

aron Cousland; Third Earl of Orkney; First Earl of Caithness; First Baron Dysart,

irst Lor Sinc air Born 1404, in erite 1420, ui t Ros in C ape 1446, estates

roken up 1476, died 1480.

n 1483 Janet Yeoman, Williams widow tries to claim from the barony as her

terce (her widows life rent of a third of her husbands lands) against the new

ord Sinclair. This is tried in Parliament, she succeeds at first but they then find

against her.


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n the action and cause pursued by William Sinclair against the

ersons who passed on the serving of a brieve of terce purchased

y Janet [Yeoman], the spouse of the late William, earl of Caithness

and lord Sinclair, for the lands of Cousland, for their error and wrong

determination in the serving of the said brieve because they served

er for the terce of the whole barony of Cousland, as was alleged, and

thereupon showed a confirmation from our sovereign lord under the

great seal made to Sir Oliver Sinclair for feu-ferme of the said lands, and

an act of the lords of council of the same, both the said parties being

resent in person, and their reasons and allegations seen, heard andn erstoo at engt , t e or s au itors ecree an e iver t at t e

said persons have done wrong in serving the said brieve because they

ound that she should have a terce of the whole barony of Cousland,

the said Sir Oliver being saised of it by the said confirmation of feu-

erme before the death of the said late William, earl of Caithness, and

decide that the serving of the said terce is of no value in the future.

nd if the said Janet can prove by reservation or any other means that

she has a right to the terce of the said lands, that she pursue her right

here it is fitting and justice shall be administered.

n the action and cause pursued by William [Sinclair], lord Sinclair,

against Janet [Yeoman], the spouse of the late William [Sinclair],

earl of Caithness and lord Sinclair, and against Sir Oliver Sinclair,

that is to say against the said Janet for the wrongful collection

and withholding of the third of the lands of Cousland, Dysart,

avenscraig, Wilston, Carbar and Dubbo totalling the sum of 134

silver and 53 bolls of wheat and barley, and against the said Sir Oliver

or the wrongful withholding from the said William of the charters

and sasines of the said lands in contradiction to his bond and

obligation, and to deliver the same to him according to the form of

the said bond, the said parties being present in person, their rights,

easons and allegations seen, heard and understood at length, the

or s au itors ecree an e iver t at t e sai Janet oes no wrong

n collecting [from] her third of the lands of Cousland, because she

s lawfully served with it before the sheriff by our sovereign lords

rieves, and that therefore she shall use and enjoy the same forever

and until it is lawfully recovered from her. And as regarding her terceof the lands of the barony of Dysart, Ravenscraig, Wilstoun, Carbarr

and Dubbo, the lords decree and deliver that the said Janet shall

cease in the future from collecting the thirds from there forever and

ntil she is lawfully served with them by our sovereign lords brieves.

nd also that the said Sir Oliver is free of the claim and challenge by

the said William regarding the said charters and evidence, because

the said William admitted in the presence of the lords that with

oth their consents the said evidence was delivered to the elect of

Glasgow to be destroyed and was destroyed with their own consent

8 NAS, PA2/4, f.13r-v. [1483/6/42]

9 NAS, PA2/4, f.30r. 1483/10/72


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0 This conflict began when King James declared war on England, to honour the Auld Alliance with France

by diverting Henry VIIIs English troops from their campaign against the French king Louis XII. England was

involved in a larger conflict; defending Italy and the Pope from the French, (see Italian Wars), as a member

of the Catholic League. Using the pretext of revenge for the murder of Robert Kerr, a warden of the Scottish

East March, who had been killed by John The bastard Heron in 1508, James of Scotland invaded Englandith an army of about 30,000 men.

The battle actually took place near the village of Branxton, in the county of Northumberland, rather than

at Flodden hence the alternative name of Battle of Branxton. The Scots had previously been stationed

at Flodden Edge, to the south of Branxton. On September the 9th 1513, the battle was fought, and the

slaughter of the Scots was great, with James IV dying on the battlefield after leading a doomed charge, his

body was only discovered the following day, and only after some diffi culty, stripped, as it was, of his armourand mangled by several wounds. James was the last British monarch to be killed in battle. Every noble

amily in Scotland was supposed to have lost a member at Flodden. The dead are remembered by the song

(and pipe tune) The Flowers of the Forest;

ell hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,

omen and bairns are dowie and wae.

Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning,The flowers of the forest are all wede away.

1 NAS, PA2/6, 2nd part, f.36r. [1494/11/134]

2 RMS II/James IV/3358 (Great Seal) from the Database of Dedications to Saints in Medieval Scotlandhttp://webdb.ucs.ed.ac.uk/saints/

1494 - 1600 - The Ruthven Lords

n 1494 Cous an passes to t e Rut vens Wi iam 1st Lor Rut ven .1528 is

other was a Cranstoun of that ilk which explains a connection to the area. His

eldest son died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 )10

n the presence of the lords auditors David Balfour of Cariston and Patrick

epburn, procurators for William [Sinclair], lord Sinclair, agreed to warrant WilliamRuthven], lord Ruthven and Isobel, his spouse, the lands of Cowsland, with their

ertinents, according to the form of the charter and infeftment made to them for

that, and agreed the same charter and infeftment in all points according to the

tenor of it, whereupon the said Isobel, lady Ruthven requested a note. 11

ote: T e cast e t at now stan s wit in Area 1, cou in ee ave een ui t

at this point, as the style does indicate a late 15th century origin, and would

correlate well with a new lord of the lands of Cousland.

nterestingly in 1509 there is mention of a dedication of a chapel at Cousland to

St. Catherine by William Lord Ruthven and his wife, Isobel Livingston.

Rex ad manum mortuam confirmauit cartam Willelmi Ruthvene de eodem

ilitis, domini feodi terrarum de Cowsland, et Willelmi dom. R. ac Isobelle

evingstoun eius sponse dominorum liberi tenementi earundem, qua in

uram elemosinam concesserunt uni capellano in capella S. Katerine infra

illam de Cowsland diuina imperpetuum celebraturo, annuum redditum

12 mercarum de terris uille de Cowsland, uic. Edinburgh

The King has confirmed in mortmain a charter of William Ruthven, of that

lk, knight, feudal lord of the lands of Cowsland, and William, lord Ruthven,

and Isabella Livingston, his wife, lords of the free holding of the lands of

Cowsland --- by which, they granted in pure alms, to one chaplain in the

chapel of St Catherine, within the town of Cowsland, who will celebrate

divine service, for ever, the yearly income of 12 marks from the lands of

the town of Cowsland, shire of Edinburgh.12


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illiam 2nd Lord Ruthven succ.1528 d.1552, grandson of the above, married

Jonet, eldest daughter and coheir of Patrick, Lord Haliburton of Dirleton. Although

e was a supporter of James V he refused to sit on the trial of Lady Glammis for

treason and was an early supporter of the vernacular Bible but was also loyal to

Mary of Guise. He was probably born ca.1500.

On the 25th February 1529 there is a reference to the Burning of Cousland by

atrick Charteris as part of a feud with Lord Ruthven (almost certainly stemming

rom burgh politics in Perth).

atrick Charteris of Cuthilgurdy, a near kinsman of the laird of Kinfauns, and

ho had been provost of Perth, from 1521 to 1523, both inclusive, and in 1525,

and again in 1527 provost and sheriff, found Robert Maule of Panmure as his

cautioner that he would underlie the law for art and part of the fire-raising and

urning of the village of Cowsland and houses therof, and for the plunder of

oxen, cattle and other goods, from the tenants thereof, and from William Lord

uthven; and on 28th of the same month, John Charteris, his brother, and eleven

others, found security to answer for the same crime. 13

Only 18 years later, Cousland would have witnessed the terrible Battle of Pinkie

n 1547. The Ruthvens do not seem to be involved at Pinkie as the now elderly

illiam, the second Lord is active in Perth and Patrick, his son, is pro-English at

this point and is even trying to surrender Perth to the English. Therefore the story

that the English burn the castle at Cousland would not make sense, given that, at

this time, the Ruthven are friendly with the English.

atrick 3rd Lord Ruthven born ca.1520, succ.1552 died 1566. is an early and

committed Protestant. And in 1553 there was a contract between him and Isobel

Mauchane concerning the Magdalen Chapel. The Magdalen chapel was a chapel/charitable institution in Edinburghs Cowgate - a pre-reformation foundation

ith a chaplain and seven bedesmen, for the benefit of Edinburghs hammermen

metal workers). It looks like Patrick gives them a permanent endowment but

ithout examining the original documents this has yet to be confimed, and

nterestingly Patrick seems keen on helping craftsmen.

The documents belonging to this mortification include some twenty-one

contracts, sasines, decreets, etc., and one of them, dated 4th May 1553, suffi ciently

explains the transaction.

Ruthven played a critical role in upholding the interests of Perths

craftsmen burgesses and in negotiating a compromise with the queen

regent, Mary of Guise, which protected at least some of the craft

privileges. His actions appear to have won him crucial support in theburgh, especially among the craftsmen burgesses, support which

persisted into 1559 and the conversion of Perth to the Reformation.

3 See Pitcairns Criminal Trials, vol.1, part 1 p.85

4 Dictionary of National Biography


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This is the tenor of the original contract, and it was predated by one day by a

enunciation by Lady Ruthven of her conjunct fee and life rent of the lands of

Cousland. The whole being finally confirmed under the Great Seal on 23rd May

1553. On the 29th April 1554 was given a precept of sasine by the said Issobelle

n favour of the bedemen, in which she mortified the sum of 50 Scots (4, 3s.

d. sterling) from the lauds of Cousland, followed by a contract between the said

ssobelle Mauchane and the Hammermen, dated 24th July 1555, for employing

the said sum to the bedesmens use

1553 - 58 there are several records of lime production in Cousland16

xtracts from the Accounts: Town Treasurer, 1553-4

eir followis the expensis maid be Robert Grahame, compter, the yeir of his offi ce,

on the bigging of the Schoir of Leyth, quhilk begane in the moneth of Aprile the

eir of God Jm vc liiij yeirs, particularie as efter followis:

The expensis of the first oulk, whilk wes the viij dayis precedand the vij day of the

said moneth of Aprile:

tem, for ane dozone [loads] Cousland lyme, xvi shillings

ccounts of Dean of Guild 1554

eirefter followis the Compt of Johne Symsoun, Dene of Gild, of his Charge in theeir of God Jm vc fifty foure yers; his entres beand the viij of October the yeir of

God Jm ve and liij yers precedand:

tem, bocht the xij day of October, foure laids (loads) of Cousland lyme,vs iiijd

5s 4d) ( This would make a load 1s 4d)

th March 1558 Edinburgh Council agreement with Lime men of

Cousland

indesay, Makdougall.

My lordis presidentis baillies and counsale forsaid ordanis maister James Lindesay

aillie, and Sir William MDougall maister of werk, to contract and aggre with the

yme men of Cousland for furnessing of lyme to the wallis of the toun, and thay

to be the price makaris thairof allanerlie.

Contract etwixt Patric , Lor Rut ven an Isso e e Mauc ane re ict

of Gilbert Lawder,burgess of Edinburgh, whereby the said Lord Ruthven

for the sum of 1000 Scots lent to him by the said Issobelle Mauchane

obliged himself to infeft her in the Barony of Cousland. 15

15 Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 2002 vol 061 pp.251-8

16 J. D. Marwick (editor) Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh: 1528-1557 (1871)


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566 Patrick, Lord Ruthven, Cousland and the Riccio Murder

On the evening of 9 March 1566 Ruthven made a dramatic appearance in the

queens chamber in Holyrood House while Mary was at supper with her friends.

sh-white from his illness, visibly wearing full armour under his nightgown, he

demanded, Let it please your majesty that yonder man David come forth of your

rivy chamber where he hath been overlong (Fraser, 252), before giving a barely

coherent recitation of the secretarys misdeeds. His accomplices then draggediccio out of the room and stabbed him to death, after which Ruthven returned

to the queens presence and asked for wine.

uthven remained on guard with his men at the palace for two days, assuring the

queens attendants and the burgesses of Edinburgh that no harm was intended

to t e queen. Furt ermore, e reassure t ose w o questione w at was

appening by telling them that he was acting at the insistance of Lord Darnley.

Mary soon escaped, however, and regained the upper hand, and Darnley equally

quickly denied any part in or knowledge of the affair. Consequently Ruthven and

is accomplices were forced to flee to England, after which they were tried in

absentia and subjected to forfeiture for treason and non-compearance. 17

Some of Ruthvens force guarding the palace came from Cousland and there are

ecords of at least two of his tenants being there.

pril 6th 1566 John Hunter in Cowsland and John Smith elder in Cowsland

among others from Dalkeith Musselburgh etc) found surety to underlie the Law

or the treasonable watching ,warding and imprisoning of our sovereign lady in

er Palace of Holyrood18

atrick Lord Ruthven flees to England where he writes his account of the Ricciourder and dies 16th May 1566. William his son was also involved in the murder

and also fled to England.

567 William , Lord Ruthven, Cousland and Carberry Hill

illiam 4th Lord Ruthven later 1st Earl of Gowrie. born ca.1543 succ. 1566. is

executed 4th May 1584 for his part in the Ruthven Raid kidnap of James VI

1567- Mary surrenders to the confederate lords at Carberry Hill. The army of the

ords halts at Cousland for about eight hours.

15 June 1567 the lords made great haste until they came to the Magdalen brig

at Musselburgh and there the two armies being in each others sight strove

continually from five o clock in the morning till noon against each other to have

the advantage and pre-eminence of the sun and there after the lords strove so

or the sun that they passed to Cousland, and the Queens grace and her army

emained on the height at Carberry where they stayed til eight hours at night

illiam 4th Lord Ruthven is one of the confederate lords, when Mary was

mprisoned in Loch Leven castle and he was also one of those entrusted with

securing her abdication

17 Dictionary of National Biography

18 Pitcairns Criminal Trials vol 1 part III pp.482-483


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alter Scott tells the story of Ruthven telling Mary to abdicate.

uthven is active at the battle of Langside against Mary and after in the post1570 civil war as a Kings man. As warden of the East march he is active in Lothian

n 1573. As treasurer he finds himself liable for overspending by the Duke of

ennox this will lead to him wadsetting Cousland to raise cash (using it as

security for loans)

n 1580 Cousland is used as security again and life rent to James Richardson of

Smeaton from 1585.19 This is registered in the Books of Council and session the

egister of Deeds at NAS.

James Richardson of Smeaton really and with effect disbursed and paid to the lateilliam [Ruthven], earl of Gowrie, lord Ruthven and Dirleton, the sum of 4,000

of his own proper money and bestowed by the said late earl upon his own affairs,

tending to his utility and profit; for security of the which sum of 4,000, the said

ate William, earl of Gowrie, bound and obliged him to infeft the said James in

iferent and Robert Richardson, his son lawful, his heirs and assignees, in fee and

eritage in all and whole an annualrent of 400 usual money of this realm yearly,

to be uplifted at two terms in the year, Whitsunday [May/June] and Martinmas

11 November] in winter, by equal portions, of all and whole the town and lands

of Cousland, with the parts, pendicles and pertinents thereof, lying within the

sheriffdom of Edinburgh, to be held of him and his heirs as in the contract madeetween them thereupon at Edinburgh on 24 May 1580, registered in the books

of council, at more length

adam, said Ruthven, I will deal plainly with you. Your reign, from the

dismal field of Pinkie- cleuch, when you were a babe in the cradle, till

now that ye stand a grown dame before us, hath been such a tragedy

of losses, disasters, civil dissensions and foreign wars, that the like is not

to be found in our chronicles. The French and English have, with one

consent, made Scotland the battle-field on which to fight out their own

ancient quarrel.

orourselves, every mans hand hath been against his brother, nor hath

a year passed over without rebellion and slaughter, exile of nobles,

and oppressing of the commons. We may endure it no longer; and,

therefore, as a prince, to whom God hath refused the gift of hearkening

to wise counsel, and on whose dealings and projects no blessing hath

ever escen e , we pray you to give way to ot er ru e an governance

of the land, that a remnant may yet be saved to this distracted.

alter Scott, The Abbot, p.72

19 NAS, PA2/13, ff.52v-53r.


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Teinds continue to go to Dunfermline the Abbey revenues now belong to Anne

of Denmark, The Queen, and this teind, or debt, indeed stretches back to the

edieval period and is only fully paid off by the Dalrymples in the mid 19th

century.

ithin an Act in favour of Sir Hugh Herries regarding an infeftment to be made

to him of the lands of Cousland and 20 chalders of victual out of Scone we find

the following line, which clearly states the tower and fotalice is still standing, and

obviously roofed. The full document can be found online. 7

Sir Hugh dies by 1602 and he is succeeded briefly by his brother David who was a

ships Captain and burgess of Dundee but he dies of the plague at Ratleiffe near

ondon in 1603. He is succeeded as baron of Cousland by his young son and heir

George. But unbelievably outliving everyone so far, Dorothea Stewart Countess

of Gowrie is still alive in 1605 and clinging onto Cousland, as it cannot pass on

ully until her death.

On 15th March 1620 George Herries is confirmed as heir to Sir Hugh and to thearony of Cousland, but he quickly sells the property to Sir George Hay, later Earl

of Kinnoull 8

.to the said Sir Hugh, his heirs and assignees in special security and

warrandice of the said town, lands and barony of Cousland, with the teinds

thereof and their pertinents principally conveyed as said is; and also that

the same infeftment shall contain an union and erection of the said town,

lands and barony of Cousland, with the tower, fortalice, manor place,

houses, buildings, yards, orchards, dovecots, mills, multures, tenants,

tenancies, service of free tenants thereof, advocation and donation of the

chaplainry thereof and all their pertinents in a whole and free barony, tobe called in all time coming the barony of Cousland,.

27 http://www.rps.ac.uk/search.php?action=fc&fn=jamesvi_trans&id=id6931&query=cousland&type=tra

ns&variants=Cousland#n228 Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica: Fourth Series, edited by W. Bruce Bannerman, republished 2001

by Adamant Media Corporation pp.249-252)


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1620 - 1635 Hays of Kinfauns, Earls of Kinnoull

Sir George Hay was an influential and powerful man and also an early industrialist

ith patents for iron manufacture and glass manufacture, he was also the Lord

Chancellor of Scotland (1622)

hen Cousland was under his ownership they have a witch-hunt in the year

1630!

The accused witches were -

April 1st 1630 Elizabeth Selkirk commission to try her granted to Sir James

McGill of Cranstoun Riddel 9

April 21st 1630 Margaret A ane, Margzret Veitc e, Janet Patersoun prisoners in

the Tolbooth of Cowsland - commission to try them to Sir Samuel Johnestoun

of Elphinstoun. 0

May 26th Commission to Sir Samuel Johnestoun of Elphinstoun to apprehendand examine John Phenick tailor in Cousland, Marioun Bankes his spouse, Agnes

is daughter, Janet Richardson, Marion Anderson, Christian Steill, Giles Swintoun

this could be the female name Geillis ) long suspected of witchcraft. Theyve

een accused by others who have now been executed. The examination is to be

eported in writing to the Privy Council. 31

July 8th Commission to Sir Samuel Johnestoun of Elphinstoun to try John

henick whos been apprehended 2

e know they were held in the tollbooth in Cousland, which could have been thecastle, given that it is the only secure building in the settlement. The suggestion

s that the number of people involved represents a local dispute behind the

accusations

George Hay 1st Earl of Kinnoull dies in 1634 and is succeeded by George Hay

2nd Earl of Kinnoul d.1644, the Hays hold the lands until 12th September 1639

after which it passes to the Macgills

27 http://www.rps.ac.uk/search.php?action=fc&fn=jamesvi_trans&id=id6931&query=cousland&type=tra

ns&variants=Cousland#n2

28 Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica: Fourth Series, edited by W. Bruce Bannerman, republished 2001by Adamant Media Corporation pp.249-252)

29 Register of the Privy Council 2nd series vol 3 p518

0 Register of the Privy Council 2nd series vol 3 p.534




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1635-1690 The Macgills of Cranstoun Riddell, later Viscounts

Oxfurd

The is an original charter to Sir James Makgil August 16th 1639 and when the

Gowries are restored (yet again) in the person of Patrick Gowrie, MacGill has

Cousland confirmed to him and a new charter is created in 8th September

1641, as an Act of parliament in his favour

James Macgill becomes Viscount Oxfurd 1651 but his patent of nobility is not

ead in parliament till 13th March 1661, of course at this time we have the small

atter of the Civil War, and in 1650, there is the great defeat of the Scots at

unbar.

e dies 5th May 1663 and is succeeded by his son Robert Makgill, 2nd Viscount

of Oxfuird d.1706

t is now in the 1690s that the Dalrymples of Oxenfoord & Stair take possesionof the lands of Cousland as is listed here

t may be no coincidence that the Dalrymples take the lands in the 1690s, the

same time as the collapse of Scotlands fortunes with the Darien Adventure

nd perhaps it is here that we can see the origins of a new life for Cousland,

ith the construction of a model village, blacksmith, windmill, pottery and

alled garden. It is here that we leave the history of Cousland, as with the

archaeology, more work is needed to piece together the fragments.

The groups have learned greatly from the studies conducted, and with access

to further documentary evidence, married to archaeology, the story to the

resent is possible.

Titles of estates other than Stair: Cousland writs. Disposition by John, Earl

of Lauderdale, to Sir James Dalrymple of Kinloch, one of the principal clerks

of session, of 100 merks yearly of teind duty payable furth of the lands and

barony of Cousland, this duty being part of the lordship of Mussillburgh,

now to be disjoined therefrom; with obligation by Lauderdale to deliver to

Dalrymple an inventory of progress of the lordship of Musselburgh since

1649, 26 November 1701. 34

3 NAS, PA2/22, f.341r-343r.4 In 1698 the Scots tried to set up a trading colony in Darien (now part of Panama) in an attempt to

evade the increasingly negative effects of the English Navigation laws on the Scottish economy. The

Darien Adventure failed with disastrous implications for the Scottish economy. Its failure became one ofthe contributory economic factors in the abolition of the independent Scottish Parliament and the Act of

Union in 1707.

nd it is hereby expressly provided and ordained that the foresaid rehabilitation

granted by our said sovereign lord to and in favour of the said Patrick Ruthven,ith the ratification above-written of the parliament interposed thereto, shall

be in no way hurtful nor prejudicial to George [Hay], earl of Kinnoull and Sir

James MacGill of Cranstoun-Riddel, knight, one of the senators of the college

of justice, of their rights and possession of the lands of Cousland and teinds

and whole pertinents thereof, and of a lodging and dwelling house in the

town of Perth, but that notwithstanding of the rehabilitation and ratification

and reduction of the act of parliament in the year 1600, the said Earl of Kinnoull

and Cranstoun-Riddel, their heirs and successors, shall hold and possess the

said lodging and dwelling house in Perth and the said lands of Cousland,

hole teinds and pertinents thereof, according to their rights, securities and

possession, which the said Patrick Ruthven, his heirs nor successors shall neverbe heard to quarrel nor impinge in any sort. 33


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5.2 Pottery Field Area 2

t was understood that a pottery works stood in or near Cousland, and an advert

n the Edinburgh Courier gave a clue to its size, if not its actual location. A road

to the west of Cousland is still known as Pottery Brae, and so it was decided to

concentrate an investigation in this area to confirm location, date and type of

ottery works that may have existed.

5.2.1 Geophysics (Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society)

F gure 4

The completed report for the geophysics in the pottery field is

still to be produced by the EAFS, however, using the initial results

rom the magnetometre it was possible to pinpoint sub surface

eatures. Six circular targets were identified in the survey area,

and the main concentration of these are tentatively identified as

ilns or perhaps pits for dumping wasters, kiln furniture and kiln

ricks. The magnetometre is sensitive to heat affected areas,

and so structures like kilns would be highly likely to appear ona survey. The resistivity survey has still to be completed to the

orthwest, this form of geophysics is best suited for walls and

certain features were recognised in the initial plot. This survey

as conducted simultaneously with the field walking, and both

ere able to feed into the evaluation trench.

Above: Magnetometer

Survey

Left: Magetometer Plot

Below: creating the site

grid for the geophysics

and fieldwalking


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5.2.2 Field Walking (Figure 4)

The area was divided into 5 metre squares, 4 deep, and parallel to the road. 28

squares were examined in total. All artefacts were collected, cleaned, examined

and plotted on a computer to view distributions and types of material recovered.

y the careful collection of everything in those squares, the plotted material

showed a real correlation with the geophysics results. Most interestingly, the

types and dates of the material began to show a possibility that we were dealing

ith an early industrial pottery, perhaps related to the period when Scottish

edwares were being replaced with the new type of pottery the Whiteware.

18th century whitewares, of the type found in the second half of the century,

continued into early 19th century forms, though not in the same abundance.

iln furniture, used to stack pottery in kilns, as well as the bricks used in the

construction of these structures, confirmed that this was not material brought

n, but was related to the geophysical annomolies that had been observed.

The potential existed that this was indeed the lost pottery, and we had located

the Cousland works, it was felt that excavation would confirm the survival and

resence of structures beneath the ploughsoil

Left: Collection of

artefacts in the grid

Below left: Finds ready

for processing

Below right: Working

together to ensure

everything is found


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5.2.3 Excavation (Figure 4)

xcavation was carried out on the following day after the locations of a suitable

eature was confirmed. A small trench 4 metres by 2 was opened over an

area where kiln material and bricks as well as geophysics suggested surviving

structures. Only 0.20m beneath the surface, a course of handmade bricks was

ncovered, and further investigation revealed they formed a wall, two bricks

ide, bonded with mortar. To the south was a clay surface, while to the north, the

all continued down for 3 courses, and a heat affected area was uncovered over

hat is thought to be a floor surface at a depth of c. 0.40m. The main purpose

of this exercise was to confirm the survival of structures, and possible function.

Stratified material was removed from the base level, a partial hemispherical lead

glazed redware bowl which was in situ, as all the sherds were conjoining, dated

to the 1760s which would suggest this was indeed an early East Coast Pottery,

and the remarkable survival was exciting, given its location in a ploughed field.

This is a site worth excavating further.

Below left: : Opening

the evaluation trench

Below right: Solid

evidence of the pottery;

a brick wall and floor.


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5.3 Windmill Plantation Area 3 (Figure 5)

The main purpose behind this investigation was to clear the area of damaging ivy

and a dead tree which was threatening the surviving fabric. Due to the vegetation,

t was diffi cult to understand the layout, form and size of the Windmill structure.

The intention was to understand the surviving remains, assess the condition, and

nvestigate the depth of deposits that may survive beneath the surface

5.3.1 Clearance

sing hand tools, the ivy was carefully removed from the walls, pruning back until

t was safe to expose the stonework. Nettles and other vegetation was cut back

to expose the platform and vault, and to allow clearance of loose tree limbs and

ubbish. A dead tree that was located on the southwest corner of the vaulting was

emove , to ease t e pressure on t e stonewor . T is was comp ete an a owe

urther investigation. It is worth mentioning that after clearance it was evident

that the windmill mound stood on a larger more rectangular prominence that

stretched to the north. This is definitely worth further investigation, to understand

ts purpose and date.

Before clearance

During clearance

After clearance


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Figure No. 8: General Roy circa 1750-521st Ed OS map: 1854


Area 1

Area 2

Area 2

Area 3

Area 3

Area 1


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northeast

northwest facing internal elevation

southwest

Figure No. 9: Northwest facing internal elevation of Windmill vaultPlan of site and trenchesReconstruction of principal elevation.


0 5 m

vaulting

rubble build behind vault

Arch springFront wall

platform?

0

0

10 m

5m

5m

evaluation trenchevaluation trench 2

evaluation trench 1

reconstructed cross-sectionnortheast facing

elevation

front wall locatedin excavation


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5.3.2 Excavation (Figure 9)

xcavation was limited to two exploratory trenches. A small 4 x 2 metre trench

as excavated on the top of the mound to confirm if the wall of the windmill

survived. Only just beneath the topsoil, around 0.05m below the surface, a

ayer of rubble was uncovered, on the line of the wall. No further excavation

as required, as this confirmed the presence of the structure. In the north east

corner of the collapsed vaulted chamber, a deep test pit was sunk to investigate

the depth of deposits and the potential makeup of a floor surface. It was found

that over 1.20m of deposit fills the vaulted chamber, and that the opening of the

ault, had a wall running across it, as with other similar East Lothian Windmills,

such as the Balgone windmill at North Berwick.

5.3.3 Historic Building Record (Figure 9)

basic record of a single elevation was carried out, and details of the size

and layout were also recorded. Local limestone and sandstone was used for

construction of a low vaulted chamber c. 7.50m in length and 4.70m wide. Anextrapolated height of c. 3.50m has been assumed, with the vault springing from

circa 1.50m above the ground surface. The vaulting is of rubble built slabs of

asonry with a rubble core behind, mixed with mortar. Either side of the vault is

uried with soil and held in check with two flanking walls.

The Windmill structure sits to the southwest of the vaulting, and measures

some c. 6m in diametre. It is diffi cult to suggest a height. This is a very typical

indmill structure of early/mid 18th century date and it is safe to assume that its

construction coincides with Dalrymple ownership of the land.

Far left: debris from the

collapsed wall of the

windmill

Left: Investigating the

vault infil.


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5.3.4 Historic Analysis (Iain Fraser RCAHMS)

The remains of a windmill survive in a small plantation on the W edge of the

summit (170m OD) of a ridge on the S edge of the village of Cousland.

The remains are set into the E side of an artificial mound: irregular in plan, the

oun is approximate y 20m roa E-W, an 35m N-S. On its S si e it rises to

about 1.0m; on the NW, down slope side, it rises to about 1.8m in height. Flat-

topped, it falls steeply on its W side.

Set into the E side of the mound are the remains of a vaulted structure, aligned

E-SW. The opposing N and S walls, of lime mortar-bonded rubble indicate

a vault of at least 8.0m in length, and 4.2m in breadth. The walls survive to a

aximum height of 1.8m. Much of the facing stonework has been lost, but what

survives preserves the springing of a semi-circular arch. There are no indications

of a return wall at the E end of the structure, and the W ends of the walls merge

nto the mound. No visible remains survive of the tower on the top of the mound.

However, the root plates of wind throwntrees reveal considerable quantities of

loose stone and lime mortar in the area

that it would have occupied.

This form of windmill, comprising a low

tower set upon a vaulted substructure,

is conventionally attributed to the late

17th or early 18th centuries. Some

indication of the date of construction

may be provided by Adairs 1682 mapof East Lothian, which depicts both the

Penston and Prestonpans windmills,

but not that of Cousland. On the other

hand, although he did mark the village

itself, as Cousland lay outwith the

boundary of the shire, Ainslie may not

have regarded the mills omission as

important. Its omission from the 1736

ublished version of the map is not significant, as this was based upon the

earlier manuscript. More significantly, however, Adairs 1683 map of Midlothiandoes not represent the mill, although if it had existed it would surely have been

a conspicuous element of the landscape. The site is widely visible today from

across the Midlothian coastal plain to the west, and distantly from the East

othian coast to the north-east. It is now an anonymous cluster of trees on the

illcrest to the south of the plantations of the Carberry estate, but prior to the

growth of the trees the windmill would have been a conspicuous landmark on

the Lothian skyline.

The building is first recorded on Roys map of c.1750, (Figure 8)which shows it

as a circular structure, within a circular enclosure, and annotated as Windmill.

hether this implies that it was still intact and in use is, however, not apparent. Its next shown on John Lawries map of 1763 as an unannotated circular building,

and again in that of 1766, this time as an unannotated rectangular building,

apparently standing in an area of pasture. Armstrongs 1773 Map of the Three

Vaulted tower mill ,

Balgone, East Lothian


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othians depicts the mill in a small perspective view, as a small tower set on a low

ill, annotated Old Wind Mill. Probably significantly, it is not portrayed as mounting

sails, and presumably was now derelict.

James Knoxs map of 1816 does not mark the building of the mill, although it does

show the outline of the present circular plantation, annotated Old Wind Mill. In

1828 Sharp, Greenwood and Fowlers map depict the plantation, and within it, a

Tower.

The earliest Ordnance Survey depiction, the 1:10560 scale map of 1854-6, shows

a circular structure, presumably intended to represent the tower, within the tree

grown enclosure, named Windmill Plantation. The annotation, Windmill remains

of confirms that the mill was, by now, ruinous. The 1:2500 map of 1894 clearly

depicts the

Documents

Big Cousland Dig 2008