Site to West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan:

Archaeological Watching Brief

Data Structure Report

28th January 2004

Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd
 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Overview
This Data Structure Report presents the findings of an archaeological watching brief
undertaken during the construction of a single dwelling at a Site to West of Drimlabarra Croft,
Kildonan. These archaeological works were designed to mitigate the impact of the proposed
development on the archaeology within the development area.
There are no recorded archaeological sites within the area of proposed development;
however, this part of Arran has been identified as being potentially archaeologically sensitive.
West of Scotland Archaeology Service, who advise North Ayrshire Council on archaeological
matters, has provided terms of reference for the structure of archaeological investigations
required on this site during construction works.
North Ayrshire Council has required an archaeological watching brief to be undertaken as a
requirement of the issued planning consent. The main objective of the watching brief was to
record and recover items of interest and finds that are impacted on by the development
works as they progress.
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act with regard to the archaeological condition
on behalf of the client John Thomson Construction Ltd. The terms of the watching brief were
agreed through a Method Statement agreed in advance with the West of Scotland
Archaeology Service on behalf of North Ayrshire Council.

Project Works
This watching brief took place during the ground breaking works within the general
development area on the 20th January 2004. These works were undertaken in keeping with
the submitted Method Statement.
A 13 ton 360o excavator using a smooth toothless bucket was used to strip the whole
footprint of the development area (the 2/3 of the plot adjacent to the road). The stripping lifted
the topsoil and then a degree of the underlying subsoil (sand).
All works were conducted in accordance with WoSAS Standard Conditions, the Institute of
Field Archaeology’s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct and Historic
Scotland Policy Statements.

Findings
The development site (NGR: NS 0294 2081) lies adjacent to the foreshore to the west of the
Kildonan Hotel, Arran. The nearest known archaeological site is a lithic scatter (NMRS:
NS02SW38) on higher ground to the east, on the far (eastern) side of the Kildonan Hotel.
This predominantly flint scatter was identified in 1994, has yielded at least 1000 lithics that
have been struck in some form or manner and has been assessed to be Mesolithic in date.
Further to the east, as the ground rises to a former cliff line, there is a standing stone
(NMRS: NS02SW09). A short distance east of this is Kildonan Castle (NMRS: NS02SW10),
a rectangular tower whose origin dates from between the fourteenth and fifteenth century.
The development area was a gently sloping grass field, bounded on all sides by post and
wire fences. The southern side of the field adjoined the foreshore, looking onto the Sound of
Pladda, while the northern side bounded the road. There were no distinctive of notable
features on the ground prior to works.
An excavator using a smooth toothless bucket stripped the whole footprint of the
development area (the 2/3 of the plot adjacent to the road). The stripping lifted the topsoil
and then a degree of the underlying subsoil (sand).

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Fig 1: Development area (Field limits in blue; topsoil limits in red; features noted in green: 1 –
Hardcore spreads; 2 – Concrete strip; 3 – Electricity cable; 4 – Linear ditch)

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Fig 2: View across southern part of site after topsoiling looking south-west

Fig 3: View across site from south-east after topsoiling

Fig 4: View of topsoiling in progress from south

Fig 5: View of topsoiling in progress from north

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

The topsoil was a mid brown sandy soil with rootlets throughout, minimal stone inclusions
and typically 300mm deep. The topsoil had a broad interface onto the underlying subsoil,
evidenced through the occasional flecks of charcoal, in the upper surface of the subsoil. This
subsoil was mid orangey brown sand.
A number of modern features were exposed in the course of the topsoiling of the area. This
included a linear concrete ridge, a pair of pre-cast concrete slab, an electricity spur and some
areas of hardcore (see Figure 1).
A linear cut was noted adjacent to the eastern field boundary 1.2m out from the fence and
parallel to it. The feature was 800mm broad and 140mm deep with a scooped cross section.
The fill of this feature was comparable with the topsoil and included a fragment of coal. In
addition a number of faint linear, regular plough marks were noted within the topsoiled area.
Care was taken to monitor the topsoil, especially for lithics, and the subsoil surface prior to
further stripping for non-modern negative features; none were noted. The underlying subsoil
was saturated and had a tendency to bogging during the work.

Discussion
The character of the site was such that it offered little information as to the landuse history of
the ground. The broad interface from the topsoil onto the underlying sand subsoil may
suggest that this is a relatively modern ploughsoil that is essentially slightly more organic
sand.
The modern concrete and electricity was associated with the past use of the ground for
donkey huts. The plough mark evidence probably derives from the potatoes, grown prior to
the donkeys.
The linear cut along the eastern limit of the development area is probably a relatively modern
drainage ditch that has been backfilled. It also is of note that it matches the line of the current
land boundary, suggesting it to be a modern feature. There was no suggestion of age or
significance to this feature.
These subsoil was saturated and had a tendency to bogging, reflecting the very low lying
nature of the site relative to the adjacent foreshore. This in turn may suggest that the site
would have been relatively inimical to early, prehistoric, occupation.
On balance it is apparent that there is nothing within the development area of archaeological
significance. We would propose that no further archaeological works are appropriate.

Conclusion
An archaeological watching brief was carried out on 20th January 2004 on ground to be
developed for a residential unit on a Site to West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan. The
watching brief identified no archaeological material either during the topsoiling of the site or
the excavation or during further excavation. The site is very low lying relative to the adjoining
foreshore and the subsoil was severely waterlogged. Some modern features (concrete pads,
electricity spur and hardcore) were noted during works.
On balance we have illustrated that this development has not adversely impacted on any
archaeological remains and we recommend that no further archaeological works are
appropriate.

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Appendix 1: Record summaries

Photographic Record
Film No. Description From Date

1 1 View of site pre works N 20/1/04

1 2 View of site pre works S 20/1/04
1 3 View to Kildonan Hotel from south of site W 20/1/04
1 4 Topsoiling in progress W 20/1/04
1 5 Topsoiling in progress W 20/1/04
1 6 Topsoiling in progress NW 20/1/04
1 7 Topsoiling in progress W 20/1/04
1 8 Topsoiling in progress N 20/1/04
1 9 Topsoiling in progress S 20/1/04
1 10 Topsoiling in progress S 20/1/04
1 11 Topsoiling in progress N 20/1/04
1 12 Topsoiling in progress N 20/1/04
1 13 Stripped ground NE 20/1/04
1 14 Topsoil bund E 20/1/04
1 15 Stripped ground S 20/1/04

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Appendix 2: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: North Ayrshire

PROJECT TITLE/SITE Site to West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan
NAME:
PARISH: Kilmory
NAME OF Alan Matthews & Thomas Rees
CONTRIBUTOR:
NAME OF Rathmell Archaeology Limited
ORGANISATION:
TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Watching Brief
NMRS NO(S): None
SITE/MONUMENT Modern structures
TYPE(S):
SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ None
NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) NS 0294 2081
START DATE (this season) 20th January 2004
END DATE (this season) 20th January 2004
PREVIOUS WORK (incl. None
DES ref.)
PROPOSED FUTURE None
WORK:
MAIN (NARRATIVE) An archaeological watching brief was carried out in
DESCRIPTION: (may keeping with the requirements of planning consent at a
include information from Site to West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan. The watching
other fields) brief identified no archaeological material either during the
topsoiling of the site or the excavation or during further
excavation. The site is very low lying relative to the
adjoining foreshore and the subsoil was severely
waterlogged. Some modern features (concrete pads,
electricity spur and hardcore) were noted during works.
PROJECT CODE: 03033
SPONSOR OR FUNDING John Thomson Construction Ltd
BODY:
ADDRESS OF MAIN 8, Underwood, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7HR
CONTRIBUTOR:
E MAIL: admin@rathmell-arch.co.uk
ARCHIVE LOCATION Report to West of Scotland Archaeology Service and
(intended/deposited) archive to National Monuments Record of Scotland.

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 Written Scheme of Investigation – West of Drimlabarra Croft, Kildonan

Contact Details
Rathmell Archaeology can be contacted at its Registered Office or through the web:
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd
8, Underwood
Kilwinning
Ayrshire
KA13 7HR

www.rathmell-arch.co.uk

t.: 01294 542848 f.: 01294 542849

m.: 07817 334907 e.: admin@rathmell-arch.co.uk

The West of Scotland Archaeology Service can be contacted at their office or through the
web:

West of Scotland Archaeology Service

Charing Cross Complex
20 India Street
Glasgow
G2 4PF

www.wosas.org.uk

t.: 0141 287 8332-3 f.: 0141 287 9259

e.: enquiries@wosas.glasgow.gov.uk

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