Condition

6
Laird's House and middens
Medieval, Post-Medieval
57846
MEL1735
East Lothian

Description

The ruins of a 16th C Laird's house stand on high ground overlooking the beach at Auldhame. It is traditionally said to be the site of St. Baldred's house. The buildings are in a very poor state of repair and are vulnerable to further structural collapse and to vandalism. The building is visible on 1946 and later AP's (B108 5273-4 15/4/46, B17 7285-7 15/4/46, OS/62/33 168-9 1/5/62).The survey noted surface spreads of midden surrounding the building and the uneven ground surface is suggestive of buried remains. Human remains, possibly part of a early cemetery, were excavated by MoW in the 1950's, in advance of the construction of an Admiralty Radar Station (now demolished).While the visible remains lie well over 100m from HWM, it is probable that associated structures/deposits may extend to within the coastal zone. A programme of archaeological assessment and architectural consolidation is urgently required. ShoreUPDATE: 29/03/2014 Ruinous structure in thick vegetation as described. The remains of a 17th century plaster frieze showing a hunting scene are still just visible but extremely vulnerable.

Location

360230.00
684620.00
27700
56.0527763
-2.6401067

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
from plate in An Old Kirk Chronicle, Edinburgh, 1893 29/03/2014 from plate in An Old Kirk Chronicle, Edinburgh, 1893 joannahambly
from plate in An Old Kirk Chronicle, Edinburgh, 1893
Close-up of plaster frieze 29/03/2014 Close-up of plaster frieze training1
Close-up of plaster frieze
Inside wall of first floor where plaster hunting frieze is located 29/03/2014 Inside wall of first floor where plaster hunting frieze is located training1
Inside wall of first floor where plaster hunting frieze is located
Looking up chimney in barrel vaulted room 29/03/2014 Looking up chimney in barrel vaulted room training1
Looking up chimney in barrel vaulted room
Closer view of oven 29/03/2014 Closer view of oven training1
Closer view of oven
Oven in southeast corner of barrel vaulted room 29/03/2014 Oven in southeast corner of barrel vaulted room training1
Oven in southeast corner of barrel vaulted room
Ground floor with barrel vaulting, probably kitchen, looking SE 29/03/2014 Ground floor with barrel vaulting, probably kitchen, looking SE training1
Ground floor with barrel vaulting, probably kitchen, looking SE
Northwest corner of House, showing location in relation to coast edge, looking SE 29/03/2014 Northwest corner of House, showing location in relation to coast edge, looking SE training1
Northwest corner of House, showing location in relation to coast edge, looking SE
Front view of House taken from top of coastal slope, looking west 29/03/2014 Front view of House taken from top of coastal slope, looking west training1
Front view of House taken from top of coastal slope, looking west

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1638 29/03/2014 training1
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge 11-50m
Coastally eroding? not eroding
Threats vegetation growth; structural damage/decay
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description The ruins of a 16th C Laird's house stand on high ground overlooking the beach at Auldhame. It is traditionally said to be the site of St. Baldred's house. The buildings are in a very poor state of repair and are vulnerable to further structural collapse and to vandalism. The building is visible on 1946 and later AP's (B108 5273-4 15/4/46, B17 7285-7 15/4/46, OS/62/33 168-9 1/5/62).The survey noted surface spreads of midden surrounding the building and the uneven ground surface is suggestive of buried remains. Human remains, possibly part of a early cemetery, were excavated by MoW in the 1950's, in advance of the construction of an Admiralty Radar Station (now demolished).While the visible remains lie well over 100m from HWM, it is probable that associated structures/deposits may extend to within the coastal zone. A programme of archaeological assessment and architectural consolidation is urgently required. ShoreUPDATE: 29/03/2014 Ruinous structure in thick vegetation as described. The remains of a 17th century plaster frieze showing a hunting scene are still just visible but extremely vulnerable.
Recording, especially of plaster frieze.
Comments This building is not directly impacted by coastal erosion, but it is obviously a dangerous structure and is located in a popular visitor area of East Lothian.

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