Niddrie Marischal: the evolution of an Edinburgh estate from the 13th to the 20th century

Archaeological investigations undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in the grounds of Hunters Hall Park, Niddrie, have revealed material evidence of the Niddrie Estate, the seat of the Wauchopes of Niddrie Marischal from at least 1406. Following the destruction of Niddrie Marischal House in 1959, the estate area was covered by housing development, resulting in the almost total loss of the landscape and setting of the former estate. The excavations recorded features and structures of a now lost 18th-century designed landscape. Additionally, evidence of late medieval and early post-medieval activity that pre-dated the expansion of the Wauchopes' estate was identified.

Iron Age domestic activity at Dornoch, Sutherland

Archaeological works in 2015 within an agricultural area to the north of Dornoch have provided evidence for the prehistoric occupation of the area. The 2015 excavation uncovered evidence of Iron Age settlement, including a palisade enclosure within which was a post-built structure as well as a collection of hearth pits and large stone-lined pits. The recovery of a pivot stone from one later Iron Age feature is evidence for the former presence of a domestic structure. While the artefactual evidence and a programme of radiocarbon dating strongly indicates an Iron Age origin for the majority of the remains identified, a single calibrated date recovered from a shell midden indicates the likely reworking of Neolithic material, and one hearth structure may potentially overlie a large Neolithic pit feature. An artefact assemblage of worked coarse stone, worked antler, and Iron Age pottery was recovered.

When Birnam Wood rises: prehistoric activity at Birnam Crescent, Bearsden, Glasgow

An archaeological evaluation and subsequent strip, map and sample excavation were carried out by GUARD Archaeology Ltd for CALA Homes (West) between 2017 and early 2018 on a site proposed for residential development in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. During the work a series of archaeological features comprising pits and postholes and several small drystone structures were uncovered across the site and were subsequently excavated.

Middle Neolithic pits and Bronze Age activity at Tinto Sand and Gravel Quarry, Thankerton, South Lanarkshire

An investigation by Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd took place in late 2002 ahead of the extension of a sand and gravel quarry near Thankerton, South Lanarkshire. Excavations revealed domestic activity dating from the middle Neolithic to the late Bronze Age, with a further phase of activity in the early historic period. Middle Neolithic pits were recorded across the site and contained sherds of Impressed Ware, a polished stone axe and an assemblage of lithics. Following the middle Neolithic there appears to have been a hiatus in activity until the Bronze Age. Several late Bronze Age features were recorded including at least two ring-ditches. The latest feature on site is a bicameral enclosure, with a possible palisade of uncertain date.