Wester Dalmeny Steading, Dalmeny - Archaeological Watching Brief and Excavations

An upstanding building survey and archaeological evaluation was undertaken prior to the conversion of Wester Dalmeny farmstead into a series of modern dwellings. The building survey identified five phases in the farm development. The steading was constructed in 1827 based on a formal plan incorporating two quadrangles around two central courtyards. A hexagonal horse-engine located on the south side of the steading was in operation at this time. By the late 19th century a steam engine and boiler house replaced this. Later phases included the construction of a free-standing byre and the demolition of the eastern range. The final phase included the incorporation of a grain drying facility. The archaeological evaluation discovered a numbers of possible pits and ditches and recovered sherds of late medieval pottery. A subsequent watching brief in the area to the south of the upstanding steading discovered late- or early post-medieval building remains. The structural remains comprised at least two adjoining buildings defined by vestigial walls extensively robbed of their larger stone component, a beaten earth floor deposit containing two hearth settings and cobbled surfaces incorporating drainage features. Green glazed pottery was recovered along with quantities of glass, iron objects, iron working slag, bone and shell.