Culross Bothy Garage 2010

Bothy Garage, Culross
July 2010
Carried out on behalf of the National Trust for Scotland
Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant
TRAPRAIN HOUSE
LUGGATE BURN
WHITTINGEHAME
EAST LOTHIAN
EH41 4QA
T : 01620 861643 E : INFO@BAJR.ORG

Table of Contents
Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant 1
1.0 SUMMARY 2
2.0 INTRODUCTION 2
3.0 OBJECTIVES 3
4.0 METHODOLOGY 3
5.0 RESULTS 8
5.1 Exterior (Figures 2 - 4) 8

5.2 Interior (figures 6-8) 14
5.3 Grafitti (Figure 4) 14
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 15
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1: Location plan.
Figure 2: North and South external elevations
Figure 3: West external Elevation
Figure 4: East external elevation
Figure 5: Ground plan
Figure 6: North and South internal elevation
Figure 7: West internal elevation
Figure 8: East internal elevation
Appendix 1: Photo List

Appendix 2: Context List
Appendix 3: DES entry
Culross
North Sea
Inverness
Aberdeen
Site
Glasgow
Edinburgh
100 km
Garage/Bothy
Culross Palace
1866 OS Survey Map
Figure 1: Location Plan

Bothy Garage, Culross, July 2010
1.0 SUMMARY
1.1 An archaeological building record of a garage bothy directly to the east of

Culross Palace was required prior to repair, consolidation and
refurbishment. Test pits will be undertaken by the National Trust for
Scotland archaeologist Dr D. Rhodes. These works were commissioned by
Robin Turner of the National Trust for Scotland. The work was undertaken
in June 2010. (Fig. 1).
1.2 The work will inform reconstruction and consolidation of the existing
fabric and may involve some minor reconstruction of the existing fabric.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Site location
The structure is located directly to the east of the backlot entrance vennel
that ascends from the northeast corner the Palace, site centred at NS 986 859
(Fig. 1).
2.2 Site History
The existing structure is to the east of a steep stairway that separates backlot
gardens that extend from the rear of the 16th century properties now in the
care of the NTS. The terraced gardens have been returned to use as
vegetable and herb gardens, much as the original function was intended.
The ‘Garage Bothy’ is built in an area that has been cut into the slope of the
hill, meaning the west elevation acts as a revetment wall to the side vennel
and the rear of the property is overlooked by the garden, that has a high
revetment wall, creating a yard to the rear.
The rear retaining wall that towers over the slope is later in date, and the
walls have obviously undergone several rebuilds and alterations, though
keeping roughly to the original layout. This wall was subject to an earlier
investigation (Culross Palace Garden Wall, Culross, CHC, Data Structure
Report, 2007)
The centrepiece of Culross is the magnificent house of Sir George Bruce, a

wealthy coalmine owner who constructed the building now known as
Culross Palace.
Bruce, persuaded King James VI to grant the town Royal Burgh status,
allowing it to trade with the continent and it was said that as many as 170
ships could be seen sheltering in the bay of Culross harbour.
This trade with the continent defined the architecture of Culross and the
whole area of the Forth. Scottish ships sailed for the Low Countries carrying
raw materials, such as coal, salt and wool, and returned with luxury goods -
ceramics, silk, glassware, and works of art but they often returned with red
pantiles as ballast which along with other architectural influences, shaped
Page 2
the look of the area. Indeed the recorded structure also maintains a roof
constructed of pantiles, which is in keeping with the history of the area.
Bruce's mansion was started in 1597 and completed in 1611, additions being
made as his wealth increased as no great plan for the building exists and it
grows organically as the whim took Bruce. The house is built with a heavy
Dutch influence, from its pantile roof and crow-stepped gables to the
furniture inside, which was all purchased in Holland with even the painted
ceiling based on a Dutch pattern book.
The gardens to the rear also respect this continental connection – while the
lines of the south facing sloping burgage plots (backlots) represent the
medieval lines of the village.
The Garage bothy is a small single roomed structure orientated north south
along its long axis, that has been converted over time into its current
configuration of blocked windows, expanded carriage entrance and other
minor blockings and openings. The building does not have any great
antiquity being 19th century in construction, however, there is a related story
which bears recording.
The structure is known locally as the “Hearse Inn”, and on the window lintel
is the inscription JRLK which refers to the undertaker John Kerr, who
owned the building in the 20th century. He kept a horse drawn hearse within
the building, which may explain the need to widen the main entrance in the
south elevation. In the mid 20th century, a quantity of casked whiskey was
stolen from a nearby railway yard, and the rumour is now circulated that
some of the contraband was hidden in a pit beneath the hearse, thus giving
the structure its’ unusual local name.
3.0 OBJECTIVES
3.1 To record with photographic rectification and written description the interior
and exterior elevations to be affected by future works, and inform the
rebuilds with evidence recovered from the record.
3.2 To create accurate plans and elevations showing the phased development of
the structure.
4.0 METHODOLOGY
4.1 The elevations were photographed using a 10megapixel digital camera with a
0.5m ranging rods used for scale.
4.2 The wall photographs were rectified and used as the base for interpretation, a
further site visit was conducted to enhance the drawn record.
Page 3
002
001
003
001
005
004 006
0 5 10
metres Figure 2 : North External and South external
002
009
reversed skewput
001
007 008
0 5 10
metres Figure 3 : West external
002
009
G1
G6
G2 G3
G5 001
012
G4
010 011 013
0 5 10
metres Figure 4 : East elevation external
001 main wall fabric
012 011 010
005
014
006
007 008
Step
Step
Step
North
0 5 10
metres Figure 5 : Ground plan
5.0 RESULTS
5.1 Exterior (Figures 2 - 4)
The simple near rectangular structure measure circa 11.60m north/south and
5.60m east west. Walls are on average 0.60m wide.
The main fabric of the garage/bothy is a coursed rubble construction, with a

cream shelly mortar matrix. [001]. The west elevation has the potential to
predate the main structure, given the evidence for the existence of the side
vennel prior to the 19th century Bothy Garage1. However as it is of the same
general construction it is difficult to see how this wall could have been
constructed to a depth prior to the necessary excavation of slope material to
insert this and other structures in this area (It may indeed be on the same line
as an earlier wall. The wall fabric is of yellow and pink/grey sandstone with
roughly squared block quoins and dressed opening surrounds of sandstone
with raised margins. In addition to the deep droving marks on many of the
wall stones, it is clear that the original construction was designed to be
harled in a similar fashion to the existing buildings to the west. Traces of
this harl can be found on the north elevation, though it is fragmentary.
The chimney on the north gable elevation is a later addition [002] relating to
a period when the interior is heated with what seems to be a stove, as no
fireplace can be located in the interior. The insertion of the flue must have
taken place entirely in the interior elevation, as no sign of rebuild can be
seen in the exterior stonework. Given the type of droving and the style of
the stack it is of a mid to late 19th century date.
A raggle line is just visible [003] on the east side of the north elevation
(Figure 2) and an interior plaster coating [004] (circa 0.5m high and 1m
wide where surviving) is also located in this area, providing evidence for a
small structure with pitched roof extending from this northeast corner of the
structure though no groundplan is available to show its full extent.
The south gable elevation is dominated by a large double leafed coach door
(3.02m wide and 2.96m high), with wooden plank construction and 4 iron
hinge brackets opening outwards. [006]. However, it is clear from
examination of the jambs that the west side is original, with well dressed
quoin, while the east side has been extended, leaving only a rough edge of
rubble [005].
The timber lintel will also have been inserted at this time, and both brick and
tile fragments are in evidence in the reconstruction of the gable end, along
with several patches of cement repair around the gable coping stones, giving
further evidence of a reconstruction, albeit using the original stonework.
The wooden frame of the doorway has a timber mark which may relate to
the date of the alteration. It is clear this is a timber from a source that has a
1
(Culross Palace Garden Wall, Culross, CHC, Data Structure Report, 2007) p8
Page 8
royal stamp (most likely George VI)

and may have come from a shipyard
nearby and place the date around the
1940s. This would fit well with the
date of conversion for using a large
hearse.
The west elevation has a single

window [007] inserted into the wall
and has a distinctly different surround
than the features found on the east
elevation. The well dressed lintel, sill
and upright jambs are chamfered on the
interior edge and are of hard sandstone.
Plate 1: Timber mark on door They are droved with thin lines and
[006] surround. have no raised margins. This window
has however been substantively
blocked with rubble [008] however, the blocking is not flush with the wall
(as the blocking on the doorway [012] in the east elevation, and the window
is blocked at a depth of 0.15m from the vertical plane.
The northwest corner shows a confused picture of both being tied into the
continuing vennel wall and being distinct from it (evidenced by the clear
quoins that lie beneath the oddly reversed skewput (Figure 3)
On the east elevation, there are three openings along the length of the wall.
In the south there is an original window [010] 1.02m high and 0.70m wide
with a two over six hopper window. This has remained untouched from
construction and has a hard grey/pink sandstone surround with broad raised
margins and droved quoins. The lintel is carved with graffiti, two of which
relate to Jock Kerr – G1 - (a onetime owner of the building) - other graffiti
surrounds this opening and the sill is well worn from constant rubbing (G2 –
G6) The initials represented are (2) WR (3) DM (4) WR? (5) JJ ? (6) JM
and AH.
Plate 2: JRLK carved into lintel of Window 010 (G1).
Page 9
Further to the north is a large blocked doorway [011] – 1.45m wide and
2.06m high – with grey/pink sandstone surrounds and broad raised margins
and droved quoins. This has been blocked with coursed rubble [012] and
will predate the insertion of the following feature. At the north end of this
elevation, lies a narrow doorway [013], (0.90m wide and 1.89m high) that is
formed by the alteration of an original window. The upper lintel and jambs
clearly show the original size of the window, matching window [010] in size
and construction. The lower part of the doorway is of rubble, with a rubble
sill. A wooden plank door leads to the interior.
The roof [009] is constructed of a simple A-frame with spaced purlins and
pantiles.
Page 10
002
009
012
001
013 011 010
0 5 10
metres Figure 8 : East elevation internal
002
009
016 001
008
015
0 5 10
metres Figure 7 : West elevation internal
002
001 009 009
014
006 001
005
0 5 10
metres Figure 6 : North External and South internal
5.2 Interior (figures 6-8)
The main interior feature that gives a clue to alteration is the flue hole [014]
and the adjacent brick blocking on the south internal elevation. It is clear
that the flue insertion must relate to a requirement for a heated interior, and
given the lack of fireplace at ground level, this must represent a stove and
pipe. The simpler option of running a flue pipe up and through the roof does
suggest that there was more to this requirement for a chimney than simply
putting in a stove. The wall elevation is however thickly whitewashed, and
only removal and examination of the stonework and brickwork would
answer this question.
The interior is whitewashed and in some places (over door blocking [012])
rendered with multiple layers. On the west elevation the lower third of the
wall is rendered in a thin cement coat [015] and to the south of this elevation
there is a thick limewash [016], respecting the blocked window [007]. This
window has been blocked [008] flush to the wall [001] a wooden beam
forms the wallhead at this point.
The east elevation also has the visible remains of the blocked doorway [011]
and the blocking [012]. The window [010] to the south is set back in an ingo
with a small shelf above.
The floor itelf is dirt, however, there is suggestion that this may have
originally had a slab surface, in at least part of the structure, given the floor
surface now being lower than the exterior which would allow for a makeup
layer and slabs.
5.3 Grafitti (Figure 4)
There are several graffiti inscriptions on the east external elevation – the
most important being that of Jock Kerr with the well carved initials (1)
JRLK above window [010]. These form an important part of the history of
the structure. The initials represented are (2) WR (3) DM (4) WR? (5) JJ ?
(6) JM and AH.
Page 14
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A simple building that has its origins in the 19th century, with a
refurbishment and reorganisation of openings in the late 19th / early 20th
century. This was a utility building that during the 20th century functioned as
garage for a hearse, and must have always had some form of large ‘cart’
entrance in the south elevation given the height of the surviving quoins of the
entrance on the west side of [006] – though is has been widened from the
original construction to the east, but apparently not altered in height.
The windows in the east elevation are certainly not older that 18th century in
style and this would give a good date for construction of around 1800
onwards. The blocked window on the west elevation is of distinct 19th
century typology with well tooled narrow droving.
A missing lean-to building was once attached to the northeast corner of

uncertain date and form, with only a section of raggle still visible and a small
surface of interior plaster. The chimney is also a later addition and it is
unclear as to the internal function of any fireplace.
No further work is suggested in the recording of the structure other than to

view the north elevation interior if the render and whitewash is removed.
Page 15
Appendix 1 Photo Register
Photo Record List – Garage/Bothy - Culross

Photo Direction
ID
File
from
Description Date
1 DSCF0001 West East External Elevation (North - > South ) 22/06/2010

9 DSCF0009 N/A Working Shot 22/06/2010
10 DSCF0010 South North External Elevation (upper) 22/06/2010
11 DSCF0011 South North External Elevation (upper) 22/06/2010
12 DSCF0012 South North External Elevation (lower) 22/06/2010
13 DSCF0013 South North External Elevation (lower) 22/06/2010
East External Elevation (additional at 4m
30 DSCF0030 West from North) 22/06/2010
East External Elevation (additional at 5m
31 DSCF0031 West from North) 22/06/2010
32 DSCF0032 East West External Elevation (North - > South ) 22/06/2010
Page 16

Photo Direction
ID
File
from
Description Date

51 DSCF0051 North South External Elevation 22/06/2010
52 DSCF0052 North South External Elevation 22/06/2010
53 DSCF0053 South South Internal Elevation 22/06/2010
56 DSCF0056 North North Internal Elevation 22/06/2010
57 DSCF0057 North North Internal Elevation 22/06/2010
58 DSCF0058 West West Internal Elevation (South - > North ) 22/06/2010
70 DSCF0070 East East Internal Elevation (North - > South ) 22/06/2010
84 DSCF0084 East Roof detail Internal 22/06/2010
85 DSCF0085 North Roof detail Internal - Showing A frame 22/06/2010
86 DSCF0086 N/A Grafittii 1 22/06/2010
Page 17

Photo Direction
ID
File
from
Description Date

Trademark on wooden plank (east side of
92 DSCF0092 N/A main door) 22/06/2010
Appendix 2 Context Register
Wall Context Phase Description

1 Original Wall of coursed rubble – all elevations
2 Dressed stone chimney

3 Raggle line in north external elevation
4 Lime render inside lean-to structure – north elevation
5 Rubble rebuild of east jamb of cart entrance
6 Wooden double leaf cart entrance door
7 Well dressed window surround – west elevation
8 Rubble blocking of window [007]
9 Original A frame rafters and pantile roof
10 Original Window in east elevation
11 Original Dressed sandstone surround of blocked door – east elevation
12 Coursed rubble blocking of [011]

13 Original Window altered into door – east elevation
14 Flue in north gable elevation

15 Cement render – interior west elevation
16 Limewash render – interior west elevation
Page 18
Appendix 3
Discovery and Excavation Scotland
LOCAL AUTHORITY: Fife

Site Name: Culross Bothy Garage
Parish: Culross
Name of Contributor(s): David Connolly (Connolly Heritage Consultancy)
Type of Site or Find: 19th Century Garage structure
NGR (2 letters, 6 or 8 figures): NS 986 859
Report:
A simple building that has its origins in the 19th century, with a
refurbishment and reorganisation of openings in the late 19th / early 20th
century. This was a utility building that during the 20th century functioned as
garage for a hearse, and must have always had some form of large ‘cart’ Comment: What evidence?
entrance in the south elevation – though is has been widened from the
original construction.
The windows in the east elevation are certainly not older that 18th century in
style and this would give a good date for construction of around 1800
onwards. The blocked window on the west elevation is of distinct 19th
century typology.
A missing lean-to building was once attached to the northeast corner of

uncertain date. The chimney is also a later addition and it is unclear as to
the internal function.
No further work is suggested in the recording of the structure other than to

view the north elevation interior if the render and whitewash is removed.
Sponsor(s): HS, Society, Institution, Developer, etc. (where appropriate):

The National Trust for Scotland
Address(es) of Main Contributor(s):
Connolly Heritage Consultancy

Traprain House
Luggate Burn
Whittingehame
East Lothian
EH41 4QA
Page 19
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Bothy Garage, Culross

Carried out on behalf of the National Trust for Scotland

Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant

T : 01620 861643 E : INFO@BAJR.ORG

5.1 Exterior (Figures 2 - 4) 8

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 15

Figure 1: Location plan.

Figure 2: North and South external elevations

Figure 3: West external Elevation

Figure 4: East external elevation

Figure 5: Ground plan

Figure 6: North and South internal elevation

Figure 7: West internal elevation

Figure 8: East internal elevation

Appendix 1: Photo List

Figure 1: Location Plan

1.1 An archaeological building record of a garage bothy directly to the east of

2.1 Site location

2.2 Site History

The centrepiece of Culross is the magnificent house of Sir George Bruce, a

010 011 013

5.1 Exterior (Figures 2 - 4)

The main fabric of the garage/bothy is a coursed rubble construction, with a

royal stamp (most likely George VI)

The west elevation has a single

Plate 2: JRLK carved into lintel of Window 010 (G1).

013 011 010

001 009 009

5.2 Interior (figures 6-8)

5.3 Grafitti (Figure 4)

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A missing lean-to building was once attached to the northeast corner of

No further work is suggested in the recording of the structure other than to

Appendix 1 Photo Register

Photo Record List – Garage/Bothy - Culross

1 DSCF0001 West East External Elevation (North - > South ) 22/06/2010

Photo Record List – Garage/Bothy - Culross

42 DSCF0042 East West External Elevation (North - > South ) 22/06/2010

Photo Record List – Garage/Bothy - Culross

87 DSCF0087 N/A Grafittii 2 22/06/2010

Appendix 2 Context Register

Wall Context Phase Description

2 Dressed stone chimney

12 Coursed rubble blocking of [011]

14 Flue in north gable elevation

Discovery and Excavation Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: Fife

A missing lean-to building was once attached to the northeast corner of

No further work is suggested in the recording of the structure other than to

Sponsor(s): HS, Society, Institution, Developer, etc. (where appropriate):

Address(es) of Main Contributor(s):

Connolly Heritage Consultancy

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