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Kaimes Hill is, or rather was, a major site, comprising a large hillfort and settlement, cairns, and several cup-and-ring marked stones, along with several smaller finds. Unfortunately, quarrying from 1950-1987 literally blew away the majority of the archaeology after which, according to the terms of the planning persmission, the mined area was to be used for waste landfill until 1989. However, Hanson Quarry Products Europe and Edinburgh City Council continued to illegally use the site to dispose of 2,000 tonnes of Edinburgh's waste per day for over a decade, creating notorious environmental and health issues for local residents. But in 1999, Kirknewton Community Council, with support from Balerno Community Council, confronted the City Council Planning Committee on the issue (committee minutes), the result of which was a council motion in 2000 acknowledging the wrongs done and pledging to take remedial action (committee minutes). Click here for a BBC News report from June 1999. Additionally, and with the help of Friends of the Earth Scotland, Kirknewton Community Council took the Hanson company to court, and after a legal battle lasting nearly three years, finally won the closure of the illegal site in 2001. Unfortunately, in 1998, the Waste Recycling Group (a company related to Hanson) had already submitted another planning proposal to continue and expand the industrial use of the site, and at the time of writing (2003), we have been informed by Kirknewton Community Council that WRG are renewing their efforts to have the City Council finally accept this plan. As a result, a new campaign of opposition will be launched with the full support of Ancient Lothian. All that really remains of the archaeology now is the North-Eastern area of what was once a major palisaded settlement, and further desecrations of the site should be resisted.
Kaimes Hill is located immediately to the West of Dalmahoy Hill, just North of the A70 (the Lang Whang). Click here for a location map provided by StreetMap.
The first serious archaeological survey of the site was carried out by Fred R. Coles and J.H. Cunningham in 1893, who noted the extent of the site as practically covering the entire hill. Coles noted a large number of stone-rimmed hut-circles present, a complex system of ramparts (generally of stone), a cairn at the summit with another possible cairn below to the East, and a spring or well on the Southern side. According to Coles, the presence of this water source was the probable reason for Kaimes Hill being chosen as the primary domestic location, rather than the related but smaller hillfort on the adjacent Dalmahoy Hill, which Coles described as an outpost.[1]
Kaimes Hill (Coles, 1896) - Click Image to Enlarge
Cole estimated the size of the whole fortified enclosure as 1132 x 400 feet at its extremities, with a main entrance at the East, facing Dalmahoy Hill.
According to CANMORE, excavations in the 1960s concluded that there were three main phases of construction to the fort, beginning with a timber structure, which was also associated with vitrified rock foundations, suggesting burning at some point, along with various animal remains. Carbon dating of wood fragments of the second phase suggested a dating around 400-300 BC. The third phase of construction seems to have been on the Eastern end of the site, and this is now (March 2002) all that remains.[2]
In this Eastern area, ramparts, terracing, and circular huts are still evident. The Eastern entrance, however, has evidently experienced much damage from the quarrying and landfill which are immediately to the West of it.
Eastern Ramparts
Just within the enclosed area on the East, a circular hut is still visible, similar to the ones described by Coles as being identifiable by its stone perimeter.
Circular Hut
Circular Hut
This hut appears to be placed within a larger system of enclosures and other buildings, although the ridge to the South of it is probably modern, being the current edge of the landfill area.
The Hut in Context
Just to the North of the hut is the remains of a major rampart which presumably marks the Eastern perimeter of the main enclosed areas.
Eastern Rampart, Looking North
Eastern Rampart, Looking North
Eastern Rampart, Looking South
The Northern edge of the hill also seems to have been built up, forming the main rampart facing out across the Forth Valley.
Northern Rampart, Facing East towards Edinburgh
Northern Rampart, Facing West towards the Bathgate Hills
CANMORE mentions the existence of around 16 cup and ring-marked stones, three of which had two ring-marks, located at NT 132 665. However, this large and significant collection of rock-art has either been destroyed due to quarrying or, in a few crucial cases, been removed to other locations - namely, Linlithgow Palace and the Scottish Executive Development Department. Casts of some of them also exist in NMS.[3]
Other archaeological finds on this site include Iron Age and C3rd Roman pottery, a Roman coin from the era of the Emperor Severus, and an arrowhead of uncertain date.
thanks to stewart mckenna of kirknewton for correspondence regarding the quarry and landfill issues
more to follow...
footnotes
[1] Fred R. Coles, "Notes on the Fortified Site on Kaimes Hill", in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1895-1896, pp.269-274.
[3] ibid.