Work is continuing at the presumed site of a bridge across the inner moat (see image). A timber identified at the edge of our original trench has been found to extend to the south-west, and is over 3 metres long. This substantial timber appears to represent a component of the bridge structure, and it has been very well preserved in the waterlogged silt in the moat. A ceramic jug fragment, bearing a green glaze and traces of applied decoration, was found in the moat, and pottery continues to be recovered from newly-excavated deposits overlying the castle's courtyard.

LATEST FINDS

Pottery recovered during this summer's work exhibits a variety of decorative techniques, and many fragments appear to be from jugs, in common with last summer's finds. Metalworking debris recovered from the forge or workshop area also exhibits a range of morphology and will prove valuable in reconstructing activities on the castle mound following the castle's abandonment.

VISITORS

We have given guided tours to a steady stream of visitors during the past week. Many are from overseas and have been touring around other parts of Scotland before coming here. A school group from Cumbria was given a detailed tour around both castles, and the children asked plenty of questions! In addition to our regular guided tours, our interpretation panel at the site shows the ground plan of the old castle and provides a brief explanation of the archaeological work, while another panel nearby explains Historic Scotland's consolidation work at the site.