Archaeological notes on some harbours in Eastern Scotland

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to record and discuss the remains of a series of old harbours. It is an archaeological exercise, and historical matter is only introduced in so far as it serves to explain or illustrate the structures. The survey covers the coast-line from Burnmouth to the Perthshire-Angus boundary, and was carried out between 1966 and 1968. Subjects in all states of preservation have been included, together with ferry-terminals and certain unimproved landings which were never developed as havens, but no attempt has been made to deal with the technically advanced works of the industrial period. The harbours are described in alphabetical order, and a list arranged in topographical order, to correspond with the map (fig. 1), is given at Appendix A. Plans, where given, are sketches adapted from Ordnance Survey maps. The plates represent a selection from about a hundred and twenty photographs, now lodged with the National Monu-ments Record of Scotland. The descriptions are preceded by an Introduction summarising the results of the survey, with observations on some points of interest. Abbreviated titles of some sources not commonly quoted are expanded in Appendix C. I wish to record my indebtedness to Mr M. R. Dobie, C.B.E., for help in all stages of the work; to Miss A. Young and the staff of the National Library Map Room; to Mr R.