Newhailes Stables Drains Report

Newhailes Estate Stables Courtyard Drains
May 2008
Carried out on behalf of The National Trust for Scotland
(YOUR GROUP NAME OR COMPANY)
Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant
TRAPRAIN HOUSE
LUGGATE BURN
WHITTINGEHAME
EAST LOTHIAN
EH41 4QA
T : 01620 861643 E : INFO@BAJR.ORG

Table of Contents
1.0 SUMMARY 2
2.0 INTRODUCTION 2
3.0 OBJECTIVES 3
4.0 METHODOLOGY 3
5.0 RESULTS 3
5.1 Fieldwork 3
5.2 The Trenches 5
5.3 Artefacts 7
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1: Location plan.
Figure 2: Location of trenches and related structures
Figure 3: Annotated Plans and elevations of trenches 1 and 2.
Figure 4: Plan of Stables and features with 1798 Beuchop plan overlaid
Appendix 1: Context List

Appendix 2: Photo List
Appendix 3: Artefact List
Appendix 4: Trench List
References
DES
Newhailes House Estate, Stables Drains, January 2008
North Sea
Inverness
Aberdeen
Glasgow Edinburgh
100 km
Newhailes House
Area of investigation
stables
This map is based on an Ordnance Survey digital map reproduced with the permission of HM Stationery Office © Crown Copyright NTS licence No. 100023880.
Figure 1: Location Plan

Newhailes Estate Stables Drains
1.0 SUMMARY
1.1 An archaeological watching brief was required due to remedial work

required on the drainage system at Newhailes House Stables,
Musselburgh. The site is located within the courtyard of the old stables
block. The work consisted of a periodic watching brief with photographic
recording and excavation to investigate the nature of the drainage system
and record any features that were exposed as part of the project. These
works were commissioned by Robin Turner, Head of Archaeology, The
National Trust for Scotland. The work was undertaken in January,
February and March 2008 and was restricted to the areas exposed by the
contractor as part of the remedial works on the drainage system.
1.2 The work will enable the continued understanding and investigation of the
Newhailes water management system.
1.3 Further work would entail the continued investigation of the main culvert
exposed in trench 1 [1009/1010] which was traced to the south for c.10m,
but the location and route beyond this is unclear. Wall [2006] in trench 2
is clearly part of the earlier stables and any further intrusive works within
the courtyard will impact upon the surviving structure.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Site location
The site is located within the northeast half of the courtyard of the stables
block at NT 332570 672410 (Fig. 1).
2.2 Site History
The detailed and complex history of the Newhailes Estate has been
covered in several prior reports. In brief, the Estate of Whitehill is of late
17th century origin though the majority of the designed landscape dates to
the 18th century. The current stable block dates to the early 19th century
and was preceded by an earlier range of structures. One of the least
understood elements of the Newhailes Estate as a whole is its system of
water management, of which the exposed drains form part.
Bauchop’s estate plan of 1798 (Fig. 4) was used to underlay the current
stables plan in order to correlate any features uncovered during the
investigation. It became clear that the wall uncovered in trench 2 [2006]
formed part of this earlier range of buildings.
There has been no prior archaeological investigation within this area,

however, Addyman and Kay had carried out extensive recording work
within the area in 2000 and 2001 (summary reports, unpublished).
Investigation within room 101 clearly showed what was to be expected
during this current phase of works, with the earlier cobbled surface cut
Page 2
through by a later stone capped drainage system of late 18th or early 19th
century date, relating to the present stables buildings.
3.0 OBJECTIVES
3.1 The main objective was to record any archaeology and stratigraphy that was
uncovered during the remedial works on the drainage system.
4.0 METHODOLOGY
4.1 The contractor co-ordinated the work to ensure that the archaeology was
exposed, recorded and photographed prior to any further removal of
archaeological deposits. Two main trenches were opened along the lines
identified as requiring drainage works; Trench 1 running southwest -
northeast along the line of the stone lined drain and trench 2 running
northwest/southeast where no known archaeology had been located in the
past. All trenches were hand dug by the contractor and exposure of
archaeological features was limited to these areas of intrusive trenching,
with no remit to expand excavation beyond the channel. Each
archaeological feature was recorded using a context system and a
photographic survey of each trench was carried out to produce a
photogrammetric plan.
5.0 RESULTS
5.1 Fieldwork
The work was undertaken over a number of half day watching briefs during
January, February and March 2008. Although cold and overcast conditions
were perfect for recording on all occasions. The entire area is cobbled and a
photo survey of the entire surface was produced by the contractor. In the
areas investigated the ground had been made up with a thick 300 – 400mm
layer of clay make-up. It should be noted however that this may not be the
case in areas outwith the line of the drainage system as evidenced by
Addyman and Kay’s investigations in Room 101 (shown on Fig. 2), where
an earlier cobbled surface may be in evidence at a similar depth to the drain
cap stones.
The various datasets from the investigation are presented in the appendix
section; Context list (Appendix 1 ), Photographic list (Appendix 2), Finds
register (Appendix 3), Trench Register (Appendix 4)
Page 3
brick drain
wooden pipe from pond
stone drain
stone drain
trench 1
cobbled courtyard
wall trench 2
stables
10 m
Figure 2: Stables plan with drain trenches and previously located drain locations.
5.2 The Trenches (Fig. 2)
5.2.1 Trench 1 was a total length of 14.80m x 1.00m wide. The depth of the trench
was dependant on the slope of the drain. At the southwest end the cap stones
were at a depth of 0.20m beneath the ground surface, while at the northeast
end they were 0.84m below the surface. The drainage channel itself was
0.78m below the ground surface at the southwest end and 1.40m at the
northeast end where it joined drain [1009/1010]. After the removal of
cobbles [1001] which were set into a thin whin dust and earth bedding [1002]
a mixed clay fill [1003] was removed down to the sandstone cap stones
[1005] of the drain. This would have represented the deliberate back filling
and levelling of the courtyard. At some points in the trench a cleaner
orangey clay [1004] was exposed, and is potentially the underlying natural of
the site through which the drains were cut. At six locations along its length
the cap stones were lifted to reveal the drains beneath [1006]. This was
formed by two flanking uprights (12” in height) resting upon a horizontal
stone slab with a U-shaped drainage channel cut. Each of the cap stones was
roughly hewn and gaps were filled with a pinky cream lime mortar. The
drain beneath was not mortared and was constructed of well dressed
sandstone. At the southwest end a brick-lined inspection hole [1007] had
been cut through the cap stones to allow the rain water run off from the
courtyard. A concrete gutter led from the centre of the courtyard to this drain.
18th-century bricks had been re-used for this later feature. An even later
feature cuts across this area and is a steel pipe [1008] enclosing a copper
pipe. At the northeast end of the trench it was discovered that the exposed
drain emptied into a north/south drainage system of similar construction,
with roughly hewn sandstone cap stones [1009] and well dressed sandstone
drainage channel [1010] beneath. This drainage channel also had the U-
shaped cut and is likely to connect with the stone drain reported by Addyman
and Kay in 2000 (Fig. 2). Measurements were taken to the south of this
drain and the route was traced for some 10m before the channel curved to the
south-southwest.
5.2.2 Trench 2, 14.60m x 1.0m wide was excavated by hand on a

northwest/southeast alignment, directly to the northeast of the internal stables
wall (Fig. 2). Only the extreme southwest end was examined in detail
following the discovery of a wall footing. The cobbles of the courtyard
[2001] which were set into whin dust and earth [2002] and directly overlay a
thick 30cm layer of mixed clay [2003] which had already been removed.
The wall footing [2006] was of irregular sandstone blocks set in a creamy
white lime mortar bond. Either side of the wall footing had already been
cleared out by the contractors, however the southwest facing section showed
evidence for the foundation cut [2007] (Fig.3). This foundation cut was
filled with broken brick and pantile [2004]. The subsurface natural of an
orangy brown clay [2005] had been exposed. The wall was an obvious
continuation of the surviving stump of the earlier stables block part of which
survived directly to the southwest (Figs. 2 & 4).
Page 5
1003 1004 1007

1001
1002
1005 1006 1005
1001
line of metal pipe 1008
1m
1001
1002
1003
1004
1009
1006 1005
1005
1010
1001
1009
1m east end of trench 2
trench 1
2001 2001
2002
2004
2003
2005
2004
cut 2007
2006
cut 2007 2006
foundations [2006] trench 2
Figure 3: above Trench 1, showing stone drain

below trench 2 (east end) showing wall.
current stables
[2006]
stables
Lead air trap

10 m
Figure 4: Bauchop, 1798 estate plan with current stable block and investigation trenches overlaid.
the lower plan shows the location of the earlier stables (dotted line) (note the correlation with wall [2006]).
5.3 Artefacts
5.3.1 Very few artefacts were recovered during the watching brief. A broken
flower pot and the stem of a 19th-century clay pipe were recovered from
trench 1 and give an early 19th-century date to the current cobbled surface.
The only notable artefact was a lead water pipe connected to a lead air trap.
This artefact was placed in the storage area for Newhailles archaeological
finds.
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The programme of evaluation has shown the existence of a stone-capped

drainage system that dates to the late 18th and early 19th century - A later
cobbled surface, which overlies this feature, relates to the current stable
block. It is now confirmed that substantial foundation remains of the earlier
stable block, at a depth of c. 350mm beneath the current cobbled surface.
The fill of the foundation cut for this earlier structure contains broken brick
and pantile, which is more abundant to the southeast of the wall footing, and
would match with the external face of the earlier stable block. The location
of the lead water pipe and associated air trap may be connected to the interior
of this earlier range as its location is clearly within an extension to the main
block (Fig. 4).
Further work within the stable block will clearly require archaeological
presence, as this investigation has shown that significant archaeological
remains are preserved beneath the current cobbled courtyard at a depth of
circa 350mm.
Recommendations for further study would include a continuing examination

of the culvert system and a more systematic investigation of the earlier
foundations of the stables block.
Page 7
Appendix 1 Context Register (could be Monument or Room/feature)
Context List – Site Name (and or Code) - Nearest Named Location

Context Description
1001 Cobbles
1002 Earth and whin dust cobble setting
1003 Mixed clay made ground 300 – 400mm thick
1004 Clay natural
1005 Sandstone cap stones
1006 Sandstone drainage channel culvert
1007 Brick lined vertical drain
1008 Metal pipe
1009 Sandstone cap stones
1010 Sandstone drainage channel culvert
2001 Cobbles
2002 Earth and whin dust cobble setting
2003 Mixed clay made ground 300 – 400mm thick
2004 Brick and pantile packing for cut to 2007
2005 Clay natural
2006 Sandstone and water wall foundations
2007 Cut for wall foundations
Page 8
Appendix 2 Photo Register (Digital)
Photo Record List – Newhailes Estate Stables Drains NHS08SD

Photo Direction
Site Code Description Date
ID from
1 NHS08SD View of cobbled surface [1001] and feature vertical Jan/Feb 2008
2 NHS08SD View of potential feature after investigation Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
3 NHS08SD View of potential feature after investigation Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
4 NHS08SD Area of drain [1007] prior to excavation SE Jan/Feb 2008
5 NHS08SD View down culvert to northeast SW Jan/Feb 2008
6 NHS08SD View down culvert to southwest NE Jan/Feb 2008
7 NHS08SD View of drain [1007] after removal of cobbles Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
8 NHS08SD Composite view of culvert in trench 1 Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
27 NHS08SD Detail of drain [1007] Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
28 NHS08SD View of inserted drain [1007] within culvert NE Jan/Feb 2008
29 NHS08SD Location of damage caused by metal pipe Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
[1008]
30 NHS08SD General view of trench 1. Cap stones in place SW Jan/Feb 2008
31 NHS08SD General view of trench 1. Cap stones removed SW Jan/Feb 2008
32 NHS08SD General view of trench 1. Cap stones removed SW Jan/Feb 2008
33 NHS08SD Wall [2006] NW Jan/Feb 2008
34 NHS08SD Wall [2006] and southwest facing section SW Jan/Feb 2008
showing cut [2007] and packing [2004]
35 NHS08SD Wall [2006] Vertical Jan/Feb 2008
36 NHS08SD Wall [2006] and southwest facing section SW Jan/Feb 2008
showing cut [2007] and packing [2004]
37 NHS08SD View of earlier wall stub continuing line of wall W Jan/Feb 2008
[2006] to the southwest
38 NHS08SD Water pipe and air trap in-situ 2m northwest of NE Jan/Feb 2008
Page 9
Photo Record List – Newhailes Estate Stables Drains NHS08SD

Photo Direction
Site Code Description Date
ID from
wall [2006]
39 NHS08SD Detail of water pipe and air trap Jan/Feb 2008
Appendix 3 Artefact List
Artefact Record List – Site Name (and or Code) - Nearest Named Location
Trench Context Description
1 1003 1 unglazed redware (flowerpot)
1 clay pipe stem
2 1003 Pb water pipe and airtrap (retained)
Appendix 4 Trench List
Trench List – Site Name (and or Code) - Nearest Named Location

Trench Description
1 Southwest – Northeast - 14.80m x 1m Final max depth 0.84m
2 Northwest – Southeast 14.60m x 1m Final max depth 0.54m
References
Maps:
1st Ed Ordnance Survey Map 1853

Beachop 1798 Newhailes Estate Plan
General Roy Military Map, surveyed 1750-55
Reports:
Addyman, T. 2001. ‘Summary of archaeological works at Newhailes’
Addyman, T. 2002. ‘Summary of archaeological works at Newhailes’
Page 10
Discovery and Excavation Scotland
LOCAL AUTHORITY: East Lothian

Site Name: Newhailes Stables Drains
Parish: Inveresk
Name of Contributor(s): David Connolly (Connolly Heritage Consultancy)
Type of Site or Find: 18th-19th century Stables and Drains
NGR (2 letters, 6 or 8 figures): NT 332570 672410
Report:
An archaeological watching brief was carried out during remedial work on the
drainage system in the courtyard of Newhailes Stables.
Two drains were located of probable early 19th century date, and their routes traced
where possible. A small section of sandstone and mortar wall foundation with a
pantile damp course, was also uncovered that related to the earlier 18th century stable
structures.
Any further works in this area will require archaeological supervision
Sponsor(s): HS, Society, Institution, Developer, etc. (where appropriate):

The National Trust for Scotland
Address(es) of Main Contributor(s):
Connolly Heritage Consultancy

Traprain House
Luggate Burn
Whittingehame
East Lothian
EH41 4QA
Page 11

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Newhailes Estate Stables Courtyard Drains

Carried out on behalf of The National Trust for Scotland

(YOUR GROUP NAME OR COMPANY)

Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant

T : 01620 861643 E : INFO@BAJR.ORG

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7

Figure 1: Location plan.

Figure 2: Location of trenches and related structures

Figure 3: Annotated Plans and elevations of trenches 1 and 2.

Appendix 1: Context List

Figure 1: Location Plan

1.1 An archaeological watching brief was required due to remedial work

2.1 Site location

2.2 Site History

There has been no prior archaeological investigation within this area,

5.2 The Trenches (Fig. 2)

5.2.2 Trench 2, 14.60m x 1.0m wide was excavated by hand on a

1003 1004 1007

1005 1006 1005

line of metal pipe 1008

1m east end of trench 2

foundations [2006] trench 2

Figure 3: above Trench 1, showing stone drain

Lead air trap

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The programme of evaluation has shown the existence of a stone-capped

Recommendations for further study would include a continuing examination

Appendix 1 Context Register (could be Monument or Room/feature)

Context List – Site Name (and or Code) - Nearest Named Location

Appendix 2 Photo Register (Digital)

Photo Record List – Newhailes Estate Stables Drains NHS08SD

Photo Record List – Newhailes Estate Stables Drains NHS08SD

Appendix 4 Trench List

Trench List – Site Name (and or Code) - Nearest Named Location

1st Ed Ordnance Survey Map 1853

Addyman, T. 2001. ‘Summary of archaeological works at Newhailes’

Addyman, T. 2002. ‘Summary of archaeological works at Newhailes’

Discovery and Excavation Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: East Lothian

Any further works in this area will require archaeological supervision

Sponsor(s): HS, Society, Institution, Developer, etc. (where appropriate):

Address(es) of Main Contributor(s):

Connolly Heritage Consultancy

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