Springbank Farm, Brodick DSR - RA03028

Springbank Farm, Brodick:
Archaeological Evaluation
Data Structure Report
3rd February 2004
Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd
Data Structure Report – Springbank Farm, Brodick
Overview
This Data Structure Report (DSR) presents the findings of an archaeological evaluation
undertaken prior to the determination of planning consent for a proposed residential
development on land at Springbank Farm, Brodick (NGR: NS 021 357). These
archaeological works were designed to allow the consideration of archaeology within the
planning process and allow the development of mitigation for any adverse impact from the
proposed development on the archaeology present on-site.
North Ayrshire Council requested this programme of archaeological work, commencing with
an evaluation, to inform the planning determination process (N/03/00869/PP). The West of
Scotland Archaeology Service, who advise North Ayrshire Council on archaeological matters,
have advised on the scale and character of the required works. The main objective of the
evaluation was to determine the location, extent, nature, condition and significance of any
archaeological features that lie within the development area.
The development area is currently open ground, elements of which had been wooded until
recently, covering an area of roughly 1.44 ha. The area around Brodick is known to be a rich
environment for prehistoric archaeology. In close proximity to the development area there
had been recorded a standing stone (NMRS: NS03NW11) and there had been some
tentative suggestion of the existence of an earthwork suggesting a fort at Springbank Farm
(NMRS: NS03NW17).
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act on behalf of John Thomson Construction Ltd.
The terms of the evaluation were agreed through a Written Scheme of Investigation in
advance with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service on behalf of North Ayrshire Council.
Project Works
The programme of works agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service included an
intrusive evaluation of the development area through machine cut trenches extending to 5%
of the land take. These works were undertaken broadly in keeping with the submitted Written
Scheme of Investigation with on site works running from 19th January 2004 to 22nd January
2004.
Due to felling work that had already been undertaken within the development area some
elements of the previously agreed trench layout proved impractical. It was necessary to
improvise a revised trench layout, which would sample the entire development area and give
the required percentage of the area (see Fig 1). Due to the presence of fallen trees, heaps of
timber and the steepness of the embankment either side of the burn there were small areas
of the site where trenches could not be placed. All exposed features within the trenches were
investigated and evaluated to determine archaeological significance.
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: Site Assessment

While the development area has no recorded archaeology present, the area around
Springbank is recorded as containing an earthwork (NMRS: NS03NW17) and a standing
stone (NMRS: NS03NW11). The earthwork, probably a small fort or dun, was identified in the
nineteenth century adjacent to the shore and hence is unlikely to encroach into the
development area. More recent subsequent attempts to locate this earthwork have been
unsuccessful. Some 250m to the southwest of the development area is an early prehistoric
standing stone (NMRS: NS03NW11). This is a localised monument and no features
associated with this are known on-site. However, the presence of these sites establishes the
potential for prehistoric activity being present within the surrounding landscape and hence
 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 1 of 16

Figure 1: Trench Layout (development boundary in red; trenches in dark blue; burn in pale
blue; Ordnance Survey woodland edge in green; modern structures in yellow)

within the development area.

On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey (1868) the ground to the south of Springbank Farm, to
the west of the burn, is depicted as covered by rectilinear gardens. The modern Ordnance
Survey still depicts a glasshouse (Fig 1, b) and a shed (Fig 1, a) in this same general area. A
concrete drive was still evident at the location of the shed, while there was a spread of
mortared red brick at the glasshouse location.
The development area was until recently covered by a mix of mature deciduous woodland
and dilapidated improved pasture, which gives the appearance of unimproved, reed rich
pasture. This pasture clearly had occasional trees standing in it beyond the previously
mentioned woodland blocks (see Fig 1). The northern and western edge of the site abutted
onto the developed edges of Brodick. To the south, up slope, are open fields while to the
east is a deep wooded gorge.
Generally the development was a gently rolling landscape. However, a marked break of
slope was noted running east to west mid way up the field to the west of the burn. This lies
within the area of rectilinear gardens mentioned above and appears to be a terrace, roughly
0.3m high, immediately to the north of the glasshouse.
A burn draining ground to the south ran down across the centre of the main development
area, orientated south to north. The flanks of this burn had previously been wooded, while
the banks themselves extended out for two to four meters on either side of the burn. At the
time of the evaluation heavy rain had increased the size of the burn.
The previously mentioned felling operation had left the remains of felled trees across the
development area, mainly gathered into heaps. However, on the extreme north western
section of the site legal difficulties had required that the fallen trees remain where they had
been felled. There was no practical means to move the timber prior to the excavation of
trenches so wherever possible trenches placed around these obstructions.
Findings: Evaluation trenches

The 11 trenches opened by the evaluation have investigated some 5% of the proposed
development area (Fig 1). While the distribution of trenches needed to be altered due to the
scale of the burn and felled timber, the trenches continued to cover all aspects of the on-site
landform. All trenches were relatively damp and most had to have drains cut out of them to
prevent flooding. This was achieved through the help and advice of the plant operator.
Full trench descriptions are contained in Appendix 1; while Appendix 2 contains summaries
of context descriptions.
The features exposed and investigated allow the development area to be categorised into
three main areas based on past land use patterns: east of the burn; west of the burn; access
ground to the north.
East of the Burn
The five trenches opened to the east of the burn (Trenches 1 to 5) exposed a simple
sequence of topsoil over subsoil. The western of these trenches had clear evidence of
disturbance from tree roots, while numerous field drains were noted at the southern limit of
the site (see description Trench 1). These drains were typically cut slots that had been filled
with beach cobbles and beach gravel (rounded waterworn stone) to form rubble drains.
Drains were absent from the east and northeast of this area. Some late nineteenth and
twentieth dumping had occurred on the edge of the burn channel (see description Trench 3
and 4), presumably deriving from Springfield Farm itself.
Overall the features noted were symptomatic of a field of moderate drainage that lay close to
the farm. Nothing of non-agricultural or farm origin was noted nor any artefacts recovered.

Fig 2: Trench 3 from the south-east Fig 3: Trench 6 from west
Fig 4: Trench 1 from east Fig 5: Trench 11 from south

West of Burn
The ground to the west of the burn contained four trenches (Trenches 6 to 9). The northern
pair of trenches was empty of features, bar a single ceramic field drain [703] in Trench 7. The
southern pair of trenches, towards their western limits, each contained four linear cuts (see
trench descriptions). Two of these may cross between the trenches ([807]=[903] &
[809]=[907]) while the others appear to be unrelated and hence discontinuous. All these
linear features are relatively shallow, 160mm to 100mm, and have fills comparable to the
overlying topsoil. The cross-section character of these features was varied, covering V-, U-
and scooped cross-sections. All are aligned broadly downslope, roughly south to north.
Trench 8 was clearly cut next to the demolished remains of a part brick glasshouse shown on
the modern Ordnance Survey (see ‘b’ on Fig 1) and underlying the area shown as gardens
on the 1868 1st edition Ordnance Survey. The foundations of this structure were not exposed
within the trench. The terrace to the immediate south of the former glasshouse proved to be
solely banked topsoil amounting to a roughly 250mm topsoil difference over the break in
slope.
A ceramic drain noted in Trench 9 [909] is presumably the continuation of that exposed in
Trench 7.
Access Ground
The trenches in the access ground area (Trenches 10 and 11), to the west of Springfield
Farm, were massively impacted on by tree roots. The ground was also prone to sever
saturation and water flowed as an irregular stream along the western edge of this ground. No
features were noted within these trenches other than the mass of modern building debris at
the south end of Trench 10 (see description and Fig 8). This is most likely the remains of the
structure shown on the modern Ordnance Survey (see ‘a’ on Fig 1), an outbuilding of
Springbank Farm.
The shallow nature of the topsoil and the prevalence of outcropping bedrock in both trenches
in this area suggest that the area has either never supported a significant soil profile or the
area has been severely truncated and disturbed in the past. This has been compounded by
the dense stand of trees and, to the north and east of the trenches, a water main that was
not exposed.
Discussion
It is clear that the area to the east of the burn and the access ground are both
archaeologically sterile with no features or artefacts of any note. Both areas had been heavily
affected by mature woodland, although the ground to the east of the burn had clearly been
used as open field for a prolonged period. The preponderance of field drains on the western
side of this latter ground may reflect an attempt to maintain this ground as field prior to the
encroachment of the woodland that flanked the burn.
The ground to the west of the burn gives the appearance of containing more features with
archaeological potential. These are the series of north to south aligned shallow linear cuts in
Trenches 8 and 9 that appear to be a combination of slots and possibly ditches. All of these
trenches lie in the area that is known to be used for gardens (probably market gardens) since
the mid nineteenth century. Given the absence of any anthropic material from these features,
the comparability of the fills to the topsoil and the shallow nature of these features it is
inferred that they pertain to the preparation of this ground for gardens or the use of the
gardens.
Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from any of the trenches and none of
the features investigated yielded or appeared to be part of a larger structure. All features
exposed were investigated and none gave suggestion of being elements of any structures.
Certainly none of the features gave any suggestion of prehistoric origin and rather appear to
be agricultural or horticultural in origin, probably dating from the nineteenth and twentieth
century.

Fig 6: View from north of Springbank Farm to Brantwood Lodge, looking east
Fig 7: Field drain [103] in Trench 1
Fig 8: View of Modern Structure ‘a’ from east
Fig 9: View north down access road, to west of Springbank Farm

Conclusion
An archaeological evaluation was carried out between the dates of 19th to 22 nd January 2004
on 1.44ha of agricultural ground to be developed for residential units at Springbank Farm,
Brodick, North Ayrshire. The evaluation comprised 11 trenches covering approximately 5% of
the total development area, opened to a depth of between 300mm and 650mm. A
representative sample, as agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service, of all of
the uncovered features with archaeological potential was investigated.
Those features investigated included: eight shallow linear features; numerous field drains;
modern structures; and tree throws. No significant anthropic material was recovered and the
features were assessed to not be of archaeological significance, being derived from modern
agricultural or horticultural activity. Other features in the topography of the site were proven
to be linked to gardens laid out across the western part of the site in the mid nineteenth
century.
On balance we propose that this evaluation has demonstrated that the proposed
development will not adversely impact on any archaeological remains and we recommend
that no further archaeological works are appropriate should the development proceed as
proposed.

Appendix 1: Trench Details

Within this appendix a standardised set of data pertaining to the evaluation trenches is
presented. Modern Features are in this instance taken as any feature thought to post date
circa 1840.
All measurement distances quoted along the trench measure along the quoted orientation of
the trench. See Figure 1 for trench locations.
Trench 1
Orientation: East to West

Size: 50m by 2m (100m 2)
Topsoil depth: 250mm to 300mm
Subsoil character: Orange sandy gravel
Modern features: Five field drains were recorded crossing the breadth of the trench
and at irregular intervals along its length [103] [104] [105] [108]
[109]. All of these drains were of similar character (230mm broad)
and fill (beach cobble). Those excavated proved to be some
200mm deep with beach gravel and cobbles to the base.
There was also one single linear cut [106] 850mm long towards the
eastern limit. The feature was very shallow (40mm) with a fill
comparable to the topsoil and no associated features or artefacts.
Significant features: None
Artefacts: None
Trench 2
Orientation: North to South

Size: 35m by 2m (70m 2)
Topsoil depth: 300mm
Subsoil character: Orange sandy gravel with occasional medium rounded granite
stones
Modern features: None
Artefacts: None
Trench 3
Orientation: South-west to North-east

Size: 50m by 2m (100m 2)
Subsoil character: Orange clayey sand disturbed by tree roots
Modern features: A nineteenth and twentieth century dump of material [304]
containing broken glass and pottery fragments was identified at
south-west limit of the trench.

Some 8m into the trench a north to south aligned beach cobble

field drain was uncovered and investigated running the width of the
trench [303].
Artefacts: None
Trench 4
Orientation: South to North

Size: 23.5m by 2m (57m 2)
Topsoil depth: 300mm
Subsoil character: Clayey gravel.
Modern features: A nineteenth and twentieth century dump of material [304]
containing broken glass and pottery fragments was identified for
the first 7m of the trench.
A single shallow scooped linear feature, 20m along the trench
orientated north to south, was investigated running across the
breadth of the trench [404]. The fill was comparable to the topsoil
and there were no associated artefacts of features.
Artefacts: None
Trench 5

Size: 31m by 2m (62m 2)
Subsoil character: Clayey gravel disturbed by tree roots
Artefacts: None
Trench 6

Size: 22m by 2m (44m 2)
Subsoil character: Orange clayey sand and gravel changing to clayey sand disturbed
by a single tree bowl
Artefacts: None
Trench 7


Size: 45 by 2m (90m 2)
Subsoil character Orange gravel sand changes to grey silty sand
Modern features: A single field drain orientated north to south was investigated
running the breadth of the trench [703]. It contained a ceramic
pipe.
Artefacts: None
Trench 8
Orientation: West to East

Size: 37m by 2m (74m 2)
Subsoil character: Orange clayey sand changing to silty gravel
Modern features: Four linear cuts [803] [805] [807] [809] orientated north to south
were observed and recorded crossing the breadth of the western
end of the Trench. [803] had a scooped cross section, [805] a U
shape and [809] a V shaped cross section. Widths of cuts varied
from 360mm to 600mm. All features were of comparable depth
(100 to 160mm) with similar fills of topsoil.
Adjacent to the trench between 7m and 15m was a spread of
cement mortared red bricks. A terrace or modest break of slope,
orientated northwest to southeast with the ground dropping to the
north, crosses the trench at 27m. The deepest topsoil depth,
560mm, was immediately prior to this drop and the shallowest,
310mm, immediately after. This is beyond all the linear cuts.
Artefacts: None
Trench 9
Orientation: West to East

Size: 40 by 2m (80m 2)
Ploughsoil depth: 360mm to 300mm
Subsoil character: Dark orange silty sand changing to clayey silt
Modern features: Four linear cuts [903] [905] [907] [909] were observed and
recorded crossing the Trench between 4m and 24m. [903] and
[909 were drains orientated north to south, the latter containing a
clay pipe. [905] [907] were orientated northwest to southeast with
scooped sections and shallow depths. Their fills were comparable
to the overlying topsoil.
At the eastern end of the trench, 35m onwards, was a layer of
made ground [910] formed from crushed concrete roof tiles and
gravel.


Artefacts: None
Trench 10
Orientation: South to North

Size: 42m by 2m (84m 2)
Subsoil character: Alternating bands of gravel and silty sand interspersed with belts
outcropping bedrock orientated west to east.
Artefacts: None
Trench 11

Size: 30.5m by 2m (61m 2)
Subsoil character: Alternating bands of silty sand and belts of outcropping bedrock
orientated west to east.
Modern features: At the northern limit of the trench were considerable remains of
modern building material including brick rubble, concrete,
structural steelwork and steel sheeting.
Artefacts: None
Appendix 2: Record summaries

Context Summaries
No. Interpretation/ Description
101 Topsoil – mid-brown humic soil

102 Subsoil – orange sandy gravel
103 Field Drain
104 Field Drain
105 Field Drain
106 Linear Cut – 850mm long, 230mm broad, 40mm deep, shallow scoop
107 Fill of Linear Cut [106] – similar to (101)
108 Field Drain
109 Field Drain – 250mm broad, 200mm deep, vertical sided
201 Topsoil – mid-brown humic soil

202 Subsoil – orange sandy gravel with occasional medium small stones
301 Topsoil – mid-brown waterlogged humic
302 Subsoil – orangey clayey sand
303 Field Drain – 250mm broad, beach cobble and gravel fill
304 Dump – black fill, pottery fragments, glass fragments, cinders
401 Topsoil – mid-brown sandy soil
402 Subsoil – clayey gravel
403 Dump – glass, clinker, pot, waterlogged
404 Cut - 300mm broad, 100mm deep, scooped cross-section
405 Fill of [404] – very similar to topsoil
501 Topsoil – mid-brown very humic
502 Subsoil – clayey gravel
601 Topsoil – root rich mid-brown silty sand, waterlogged
602 Subsoil – Orange clayey sand
701 Topsoil – mid-brown, very humic
702 Subsoil – orange gravel sand, changes to silty sand
703 Ceramic Drain – cut 750mm broad, 100mm deep
801 Topsoil – mid-brown silty sand
802 Subsoil – orange clayey sand changing to sandy silt
803 Cut of linear feature – 600mm broad, 100mm deep, scooped section
805 Cut of linear feature – 360mm broad, 120mm deep
807 Linear Cut – 400mm broad
808 Fill of [807] – fragments of red sandstone
809 Cut of linear feature – 510mm broad, 160mm deep, v-shaped cross section
902 Subsoil – orange sandy gravel
903 Linear Cut - 550mm broad, 100mm deep, scooped cross section
905 Cut of linear feature – 700mm broad, 150mm deep, scooped cross section
907 Cut of linear feature – 250mm broad, 50mm deep, scooped cross section


909 Ceramic Tile Drain
910 Fragments concrete tile and gravel - modern made ground
1002 Subsoil – Silty sand and gravel
1102 Subsoil – Silty sand and outcropping bedrock
Drawing Record
No. Title Scale Date Author
1 Plan of Trenches 1 to 8 1:100 22/01/04 TR
2 Plan of Trenches 9 to 11 1:100 22/01/04 TR
Photographic Record
Film No. Description From Date
1 16 Trench 1 general view E 21/01/04
1 17 Trench 1 [109] field drain N 21/01/04
1 18 Trench 1 [106] linear cut N 21/01/04
1 19 Trench 2 general view S 21/01/04
1 20 Trench 3 [304] dump view NE 21/01/04
1 21 Trench 3 general view SW 21/01/04
1 22 Trench 4 general view N 21/01/04
1 23 Trench 5 general view SW 21/01/04
1 24 Trench 6 general view W 21/01/04
1 25 Trench 7 general view SE 21/01/04
2 1 Trench 7 [703] drain N 21/01/04
2 3 Trench 8 [803] N 21/01/04
2 4 Trench 8 [805] S 21/01/04
2 5 Trench 8 [809] SE 21/01/04
2 6 Trench 8 [809] SE 21/01/04
2 8 Trench 9 [903] N 21/01/04
2 9 Trench 9 [905] N 21/01/04
2 10 Trench 11 general view S 21/01/04

2 11 Trench 10 general view N 21/01/04

2 12 Modern structure ‘a’ W 22/01/04
2 13 Felled timber in northern part of site S 22/01/04
2 14 View down roadway S 22/01/04
2 15 View up roadway N 22/01/04
2 16 View across development area W 22/01/04
2 17 Detail of burn N 22/01/04
2 18 View across development area S 22/01/04

Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland
LOCAL AUTHORITY: North Ayrshire

PROJECT TITLE/SITE Springbank Farm, Brodick
NAME:
PARISH: Kilbride
NAME OF Alan Matthews & Thomas Rees
CONTRIBUTOR:
NAME OF Rathmell Archaeology Limited
ORGANISATION:
TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Evaluation
NMRS NO(S): None
SITE/MONUMENT Field drains; modern structures
TYPE(S):
SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ None
NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) NS 021 357
START DATE (this season) 19th January 2004
END DATE (this season) 22nd January 2004
PREVIOUS WORK (incl. None
DES ref.)
PROPOSED FUTURE None
WORK:
MAIN (NARRATIVE) An archaeological evaluation was carried out between the
DESCRIPTION: (may dates of 19th to 22nd January 2004 on 1.44ha of
include information from agricultural ground to be developed for residential units at
other fields) Springbank Farm, Brodick, North Ayrshire. The evaluation
comprised 11 trenches covering approximately 5% of the
total development area, opened to a depth of between
300mm and 650mm. A representative sample, as agreed
with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service, of all of
the uncovered features with archaeological potential was
investigated.
Those features investigated included: eight shallow linear
features; numerous field drains; modern structures; and
tree throws. No significant anthropic material was
recovered and the features were assessed to not be of
archaeological significance, being derived from modern
agricultural or horticultural activity. Other features in the
topography of the site were proven to be linked to
gardens laid out across the western part of the site in the
mid nineteenth century..
PROJECT CODE: 03028
SPONSOR OR FUNDING John Thomson Construction Ltd
BODY:
ADDRESS OF MAIN 8, Underwood, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7HR
CONTRIBUT OR:
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.

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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Springbank Farm, Brodick:

Data Structure Report

3rd February 2004

Findings: Site Assessment

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 1 of 16

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 2 of 16

within the development area.

Findings: Evaluation trenches

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 3 of 16

Fig 2: Trench 3 from the south-east Fig 3: Trench 6 from west

Fig 4: Trench 1 from east Fig 5: Trench 11 from south

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 4 of 16

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 5 of 16

Fig 7: Field drain [103] in Trench 1

Fig 8: View of Modern Structure ‘a’ from east

Fig 9: View north down access road, to west of Springbank Farm

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 6 of 16

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 7 of 16

Appendix 1: Trench Details

Orientation: East to West

Orientation: North to South

Orientation: South-west to North-east

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 8 of 16

Some 8m into the trench a north to south aligned beach cobble

Orientation: South to North

Orientation: South-west to North-east

Orientation: East to West

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 9 of 16

Orientation: South-west to North-east

Orientation: West to East

Orientation: West to East

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 10 of 16

Significant features: None

Orientation: South to North

Orientation: East to West

Appendix 2: Record summaries

101 Topsoil – mid-brown humic soil

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 11 of 16

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 12 of 16

908 Fill of [907] – very similar to topsoil

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 13 of 16

2 11 Trench 10 general view N 21/01/04

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 14 of 16

Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: North Ayrshire

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 15 of 16

t.: 01294 542848 f.: 01294 542849

West of Scotland Archaeology Service

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

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 16 of 16

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