[Gordon]

Sunday Mail, today

Quote

26 March 2006
TIME TEAM FIND PALACE
A TIME team have found a medieval palace - in Glasgow's Easterhouse housing scheme.

They say the bishop's castle, dating as far back as 1323, and silver coins from the previous century show the city was a massive European player.

Neil Baxter, director of the Glasgow Preservation Trust, said: "Glasgow is actually older, bigger and better than we imagined."
Provand's Lordship, built between 1460 and 1480, is Glasgow's oldest surviving building.

But investigators from Headland Archaeology confirmed the early 14th century palace - complete with a moat wall - in Easterhouse.

Councillor Catherine McMaster, who chairs Medieval Glasgow, said: "The bishop's palace is older than the Provan Hall.


"It means we have data on Glasgow's history that we did not have before. It proves that a great deal happened here before 1560 when a Parliamentary Act established the Church of Scotland as the country's official religion."


The exact location of the find in Easterhouse is being kept under wraps for now.

..and my bit from 1999,

Quote

BISHOP’S HOUSE, LOCHWOOD (*)
        City of Glasgow.
          Ruin or site, OS64 NS692667
            3.5 miles north-west of Coatbridge, and 1 mile north-east of Easterhouse, off minor roads west of A752, south of Bishop Loch.
      Site of a hunting lodge of the Bishops of Glasgow, the Bishop Loch always having been noted for it’s population of wildfowl.
            The Bishops are reputed to have dug a narrow canal linking the Molendinar Burn, Hogganfield Loch and Frankfield Loch to the Bishop Loch in order that they could sail by barge from Glasgow. This would explain the remarkably straight waterways hereabouts, although similar work was carried out to supply water to the Monkland Canal from various lochs. Perhaps not so ancient work after all.
           Lochwood passed to the Main family at the Reformation. It’s foundations were still visible in the field between the present house and the loch, until about 100 years ago.

Additional information, Bishop John Cameron was found dead in the waters of the Loch (or in his bed at Lochwood) in mysterious circumstances in 1447. His ghost is said to haunt Bedlay Castle, another diocean property 2 miles north. He was the builder of the Great Tower at Glasgow's Bishop's Palace/Glasgow Castle, and was Chancellor of Scotland from 1427 to 1439.


Note, it says A Time Team, not the Time Team. Glasgow Building's Preservation Trust.

[Gordon]

From the Scottish National Monuments Record

Quote

Glasgow, Bishop's Loch WoSASPIN:   9342

Alternative name:  
Site type: 
Bishops Mansion
Map:   NS66NE    NGRE    6938:     NGRN   6696:
 Council: 
Glasgow City
Last update: 
28/06/2001
Report date:
29/03/2001
NMRSnumber:
NS66NE6

SMR report:  
WoSASPIN 9342 The site of the medieval country house or castle of the Bishop of Glasgow, on the south side of Bishop's Loch, has been unknown for many years. It was destroyed by Robert Boyd of Badenheath in 1579. At NS 687 664, in a meadow, is a prominent mound, where a large number of slates and small stones have been found on the surface. Some of the slates were shaped in a fashion necessary for a turret roof, while the others each had a large hole in them, indicating that they had been attached to the roof by wooden pegs. Excavations were carried out at various points in and around the mound. On the S side part of an old foundation 12" - 18" below the surface was uncovered. A section, 7' x 4', was opened and revealed a low wall of undressed sandstone founded on the clay, and bound together with mortar. The wall was in parts about 3' thick, and an abundance of slates and a piece of medieval pottery was found. It was therefore concluded that this was the palace site. (Though White states that it was hoped to continue investigations in 1963, no further published references have been found.) J White 1962 A local amateur archaeologist contacted the Glasgow office of the Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust (SUAT) around 1985 to say he had been researching the history of the Bishop's residence and believed he had identified a mistake in the given location as quoted by White. The informant, a Mr McIntee, had spoken to the farmer at Lochwood Farm (NGR 269390,666650), who had pointed out a low mound (NGR 269380, 666960) at the bottom of a pasture field north on the farm, where he said White had surveyed and excavated in the 1960s. Stones from the site were said to have been built into the field dykes nearby. Staff from SUAT (D M Farmer & J H McBrien) then visited this site, and the grid reference given by White, and followed up with documentary research on the Bishop's residence. Mr McIntee scanned the low mound north of the farm with a metal detector and recorded a large number of positive responses (without excavation) in a diffuse pattern near the top of the mound. Farmer and McBrien concluded that the original grid reference (NS 687 664) was likely to be incorrect, and that the mound in the pasture north of Lochwood Farm was more likely to be the actual site examined by White, and to be the site of the Bishop's residence. The SRC SMR was subesequently informed of this view around 1989. HMcB visited the revised grid reference in 1993 to take photographs for the SMR (See slide achive 5578-5587) Entered WoSAS (HMcB) 29/03/01

Quote

An archaeological excavation of Bishop's Mansion, Easterhouse


Event ID:   1039

Director:   McBrien, H   Organisation:   Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust

Date begin:  
Date end: 

Year: 
1986
Date comment: 
Or possibly early 1987 (HMcB).
NGRE:   269372   NGRN:  666962
Council: 
Glasgow City

Context Comment: 
An archaeological assessment was carried out on a mound around which were found slates which may have come from the bishop's mansion and to confirm its location.

Results Comment: 
Confirmed actual location of Bishop's mansion as the NGRs for this event.

Quote

Lochwood


WoSASPIN:   51536

Alternative name:  
Site type:   Mansionhouse
Map:   NS66NE  NGRE  6947:    NGRN  6669:
Council:   Glasgow City
Last update: 
24/05/2005
Report date:
24/05/2005
NMRSnumber:
SMR report: 

WoSASPIN 51536 NS 69470 66695 The 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of the area shows the mansion of Lochwood at the western end of woods to the east of the present farm of the same name, which is also depicted (see WoSASPIN 51537). The dates of erection of the house and the farmstead are not known. The house, which sat back from the road with gardens on its south side, has been demolished. The gate-pillars near the farm remain standing. Lochwood is depicted on Pont's manuscript map of Glasgow and the County of Lanark (Pont 34, dated 1596), but cannot be accurately located. Lochwood is also shown on Roy's Military Survey of 1747-55, but although the twin foci of house and farm as depicted on the 1st Edition O.S. also seem to be shown on the earlier map, the detailed locations do not match; Roy shows the buildings at a prominent bend in the road some 200m to the west of the farm location mapped by the Ordnance Survey and close to the site of Lochwood Cottages. While it is possible that the farm and the mansion were moved during a rebuilding operation, without an attempt to ground-truth this model, it may be safer to assume that this is a rare case of scriptorial error by Roy's draughtsman. Roy's map shows the policies of the house laid out in a formal style, with avenues of trees separating rectilinear fields, with some woodland shelter belts. Some of these boundaries match well with ones depicted on the 1st Edition O.S. map of a century later. Entered WoSAS (HMcB) 23/05/2005

Quote

Lochwood


WoSASPIN:   51536

Alternative name:  
Site type: 
Mansionhouse

Map:   NS66NE  NGRE  6947:    NGRN  6669:
Council: 
Glasgow City

Last update: 
24/05/2005
Report date:
24/05/2005
NMRSnumber:
SMR report: 

WoSASPIN 51536 NS 69470 66695 The 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of the area shows the mansion of Lochwood at the western end of woods to the east of the present farm of the same name, which is also depicted (see WoSASPIN 51537). The dates of erection of the house and the farmstead are not known. The house, which sat back from the road with gardens on its south side, has been demolished. The gate-pillars near the farm remain standing. Lochwood is depicted on Pont's manuscript map of Glasgow and the County of Lanark (Pont 34, dated 1596), but cannot be accurately located. Lochwood is also shown on Roy's Military Survey of 1747-55, but although the twin foci of house and farm as depicted on the 1st Edition O.S. also seem to be shown on the earlier map, the detailed locations do not match; Roy shows the buildings at a prominent bend in the road some 200m to the west of the farm location mapped by the Ordnance Survey and close to the site of Lochwood Cottages. While it is possible that the farm and the mansion were moved during a rebuilding operation, without an attempt to ground-truth this model, it may be safer to assume that this is a rare case of scriptorial error by Roy's draughtsman. Roy's map shows the policies of the house laid out in a formal style, with avenues of trees separating rectilinear fields, with some woodland shelter belts. Some of these boundaries match well with ones depicted on the 1st Edition O.S. map of a century later. Entered WoSAS (HMcB) 23/05/2005

If Robert Boyd of Badenheath destroyed the Palace, then the 'mansion' nearer the farm probably refers to a later house of the Main family, drawn by Pont and marked by Roy. Pont mapped the area c1596.

[Gordon]

Pont's manuscript drawing of the mansion, north is to the right.
Lochwood is highlighted by the lighter patch .

The Provand L. at the top right of the picture depicts Provan Loch, with just the base of Provanhall visible on the map to the right of the loch. Gartloch Hospital was built later to the right of Bishop Loch, which is that to the right of Lochwood.

[Gordon]

1896 Ordnance survey map showing mansion to the east of the farm house. It gives no indication of the position of the Palace foundations.

[Gordon]

Lochwood House in the 1920's, one source claims it was built in 1820 for the Baird's of Gartsherrie, though an earlier structure appears on Pont's map, and again on Roy's, perhaps the Bairds were responsible for rebuilding or extension.

[Gordon]

Having read the above, and noted the involvement of Headland Archaeology who specialise in examining sites proposed for development, I was concerned and found the following.

http://www.strath.ac...3348/cnr_12.pdf

This is an old proposal which was refused, however I wonder if a new application for some development has been made, I hope not.

I'm not sure if the discoveries will halt any new proposed development, or if the site will be the subject of a 'rescue dig'.
Hopefully the site will be scheduled and preserved. I would expect that to happen.

[Gordon]

I've e-mailed the Scheduling Dept of Historic Scotland to ask if a Scheduling Application has been received, and if/ when details might be available on Canmore.

[Gordon]

This site matches the corrected co-ordinates given for Whyte's dig, it also appears to fit with examination of the Google Earth image of the site.

Note the moat like depression around the southern edge of the site, and the inshots lined by the trees, more prominent on the east, ? a landing place. A distinct area of green is noticeable within the western edge of the area, and a peculiar pattern of gorse growth just north east at the other side of the inlet. Do these mark building traces?
There is a peculiar and apparently needless sharp bend on the road just west of the farm, is this where roads to the site from east and west met - at the head of an avenue down to an entrance at the east? There is no other reason evident at the site for this bend, not even on the old maps despite the suggestion that there had been a rebuild of the farm and mansion at some point.
I can only think that archaeologists believe that we all think as they do, this is only the most likely site until they dig it and prove it.
I suppose the obvious can be wrong.

If this is the site there seems little need for it to be hush hush if it has been identified so long ago, unless the archaeological excavations found it elsewhere, and this is a collection of the rubble from field clearance.
I've been rambling again,and just keeping my own wee notes here. Feel free to chip in if anyone thinks I'm off the mark....or not!

[Gordon]

From the West of Scotland Archaeology Service.

Quote

Site Name: Glasgow, Bishop's Loch
Alternative Name(s):
Site Type: Bishops Mansion
Map Sheet: NS66NE
Council: Glasgow City
Parish: Old Monkland

Site Report
WoSASPIN 9342

The site of the medieval country house or castle of the Bishop of Glasgow, on the south side of Bishop's Loch, has been unknown for many years. It was destroyed by Robert Boyd of Badenheath in 1579.
At NS 687 664, in a meadow, is a prominent mound, where a large number of slates and small stones have been found on the surface. Some of the slates were shaped in a fashion necessary for a turret roof, while the others each had a large hole in them, indicating that they had been attached to the roof by wooden pegs. Excavations were carried out at various points in and around the mound. On the S side part of an old foundation 12" - 18" below the surface was uncovered. A section, 7' x 4', was opened and revealed a low wall of undressed sandstone founded on the clay, and bound together with mortar. The wall was in parts about 3' thick, and an abundance of slates and a piece of medieval pottery was found. It was therefore concluded that this was the palace site. (Though White states that it was hoped to continue investigations in 1963, no further published references have been found.)
J White 1962

A local amateur archaeologist contacted the Glasgow office of the Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust (SUAT) around 1985 to say he had been researching the history of the Bishop's residence and believed he had identified a mistake in the given location as quoted by White. The informant, a Mr McIntee, had spoken to the farmer at Lochwood Farm (NGR 269390,666650), who had pointed out a low mound (NGR 269380, 666960) at the bottom of a pasture field north on the farm, where he said White had surveyed and excavated in the 1960s. Stones from the site were said to have been built into the field dykes nearby. Staff from SUAT (D M Farmer & J H McBrien) then visited this site, and the grid reference given by White, and followed up with documentary research on the Bishop's residence. Mr McIntee scanned the low mound north of the farm with a metal detector and recorded a large number of positive responses (without excavation) in a diffuse pattern near the top of the mound. Farmer and McBrien concluded that the original grid reference (NS 687 664) was likely to be incorrect, and that the mound in the pasture north of Lochwood Farm was more likely to be the actual site examined by White, and to be the site of the Bishop's residence. The SRC SMR was subesequently informed of this view around 1989.
HMcB visited the revised grid reference in 1993 to take photographs for the SMR (See slide achive 5578-5587)
Entered WoSAS (HMcB) 29/03/01

Trial trenching and a metal detector survey was undertaken, by Headland Archaeology, on the assumed site of the Bishop's Residence, adjacent to Bishop Loch, Easterhouse, to establish the character, date and complexity of remains with a view to interpret the site to the public. Six trenches were excavated radiating out from the summit of the mound. A moat was uncovered curving round the SW of the site, containing the possible remains of a barmkin wall. The finds assemblage strongly indicates the presence of an important medieval site in the area. Several finds of lead plate, believed to be roofing lead, indicate the location of a high status building as does numerous fragments of roofing slate. The evidence is supported by the pottery assemblage, that includes imported wares. Also the recovery of six coins dating to the 13th and 14th centuries were recovered.
Entered WoSAS 14/5/07 (PM)