Recent work has focused on the corner towers and the remains of the range of buildings within the castle. Substantial remains of the northern tower are now exposed (see previous update), and the western and southern towers are currently being investigated. Along one edge of the western tower the wall alignment appears to be fairly intact, but, on initial investigation, the front wall of the tower appears to have partially tumbled into the moat. The possible tower in the south corner also appears to have survived better on one side than on the other. A trench was cut through the central part of this structure in the 1860s.
Within the range of internal buildings a roughly circular hearth has been identified (see image). This lies in the western section of the range. Here the wall footings are three or four courses high. Adjacent to one of the walls is a stone-capped drain running north west to south east. Another drain runs parallel to it, further to the north east.
A section of the central area of the moated platform is currently being excavated and should reveal further information about the layout and structure of the range of buildings and of the castle's courtyard.
In the later stages of the dig, Historic Scotland's stonemasons will begin the work of conserving the excavated walls so that they can remain exposed to public view in the future. For most of the walls, the masons will be able to clear out the soil between the stones and replace it with the type of mortar that was used in their construction. Fragments of mortar recovered during the dig will be studied so that the masons can produce a very similar mix. Only the very top layer of stones will be rebedded to ensure that water does not get into the walls and cause problems in the future.
LATEST FINDS
Medieval pottery continues to be recovered. One fragment from a jug is decorated by two faces, one above the other (see image). The upper face, just below the jug's rim, incorporates a spout. The lower face has a long beard and an applied, pointed nose. Another interesting recent find is a whetstone or hone, largely complete and in good condition, with a small circular hole near the upper end to allow it to be suspended on a thong and carried about the person.
VISITORS
Now that the school holidays have arrived both north and south of the border, increasing numbers of families have been visiting the castle and taking part in our regular guided tours of the dig. We are able to present the archaeological work to over 100 people on a typical day, and sometimes to as many as 200 people. A recent weekend event hosted for the Friends of Historic Scotland was very successful. Groups of Friends were given particularly detailed tours of the later castle and of the old castle site, and both adults and youngsters tried their hands at cleaning some of the recently excavated finds. Among the other parties to have visited us recently are a group of archaeology students from Nottingham University and a group of students from Lockerbie, along with their friends from the United States. We wish them all well, and we have been encouraged by the very positive response to the archaeological work shown by visitors.
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