Remains of the 3rd slate tank
cast iron hot water pipes
Excavation of the glasshouse in the Walled Garden continued from August to December and a third slate tank was found, very much where it would be expected, all three being a similar distance apart. Other than that there have been no significant finds, small or large, and very little to help our interpretation of the structure. The cast iron pipes coming through the wall from the late 19th century boiler, suggest there was hot water heating installed at some stage. We have not found a central entrance to the glasshouse, but equally there is no definite evidence that there was not one. There is no sign of any cold frames, though these might easily have been moved elsewhere, if there ever were any. The strange, thin lead pipes found earlier in the year disappear off underground towards the structure that is marked on 19th century plans in the centre of the Walled Garden; we have no more information about their purpose. Plenty of questions still remain but it seems these will have to be answered, if at all, by further historical research rather than more digging. As a result we are concluding our excavation of the glasshouse but will draw and record it fully before back filling the site.
At the opposite side of the Walled Garden on the outside of the south wall, we have been clearing what appears to be some kind of potting shed. It adjoins the gardener’s bothy (previously cleared), and is marked as having a glass roof.
Bee boles
Along the top edge of the wall, presumably above the level the roof would have abutted with it, are the bee boles.
inside the potting shed
We are not able to explore the full length of this building because the wall becomes unsafe, but a flag ‘pathway’ between two unsurfaced, packed earth areas, perhaps originally under tables for seedlings, has been revealed.
In early 2024, we will complete clearing as much of the potting shed as possible. After that is finished and all the work from 2023 has been recorded, we will consider a new area to excavate. As mentioned above, there is an interesting structure marked on 19th century plans in the centre of the Walled Garden, with at least a partial glass roof. We believe this was probably some kind of conservatory and there is some evidence on the ground of where it was – we have found some metal remains – but the area is very overgrown, including some mature trees, making it virtually impossible to pursue. If the large boulders from the centre of the Steading can be removed, we would like to complete our work there and there are 2 or 3 roofed structures nearer the House, marked on old plans, which merit exploration. This would involve initial geophysics, as there are no signs on the ground as to their exact location.
The Home page of the website will have a weekly announcement of each Monday’s activity; information can also be found on Facebook; any new projects will be outlined under the News heading on the website. All are welcome to come along and join in.