Scottish Borders Research Articles

The hydro‐geomorphic effects of wooden leaky barriers in a steep headwater stream

AbstractPurposely placed in‐stream wooden leaky barriers (LBs) with lower gaps to facilitate flow during average conditions have become a popular type of nature‐based intervention in catchments for flood risk mitigation. Empirical evidence on their effectiveness remains rare, however. The hydro‐geomorphic effects of 16 LBs were monitored over three years on the Elm Sike, a small upland stream (catchment area: 0.33 km2) in the Scottish Borders, UK. The aims of the structures were to: (1) increase water storage and roughness and, in turn, attenuate and delay flood peaks; and (2) trap and store coarse sediment to reduce sediment‐related problems downstream. Annual topographical surveys were conducted to assess geomorphic changes, and continuous 5‐minute water levels were recorded to assess changes in peak flow travel times. Two‐dimensional hydraulic modelling (HEC‐RAS 2D) was undertaken to assess the hydraulic impact of the structures and geomorphic changes. The LBs had no effect on peak flow travel time and rate of stage rise or fall based on 22 events with an Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) of ≥ 3.7%. Hydraulic modelling showed limited velocity reduction and expansion of inundation extent due to the LBs for 50% AEP flows, but slightly greater effects for larger 5% AEP flows. However, for 50% AEP flows, inundation extent increased and velocities decreased more significantly due to morphological changes initiated by the structures. The limited hydrological and hydraulic impacts were related to the small size of the structures, close spacing and the steep, confined valley setting that limited water storage capacity. At the end of the three‐year period, a reach‐wide net deposition response of 3.49 ± 0.36 m3 and a 5.3% loss of total LB backwater storage were observed, but local geomorphic response due to the LBs was spatially variable. Backwater capacity at 10 structures was reduced, and the lower gap increased at eight structures due to bed scour, indicating accelerated underflow. Multivariable analysis showed that gap height change was inversely related to backwater shear stress, channel cross‐section area and channel slope. No factors explained backwater sediment deposition, but a threshold lower gap height of ≤0.4 m for initiating deposition was evident. These hydro‐geomorphic observations have implications for the design and placement of LBs in river restoration and flood risk management projects.

Evidence for Multiperiod Occupation at Popple Burn Bank, Ednam, Scottish Borders

Proposed development at Popple Burn Park, Ednam, Scottish Borders, prompted an archaeological evaluation in May 2018, which revealed several archaeological features. With the archaeological potential of the area identified, three subsequent phases of excavation between 2018 and 2021 revealed multi-period activity that ranged from the Bronze Age to the medieval period, evidenced through analysis of pottery, and a programme of radiocarbon dating. Several linear features that ran across the site likely represent the remains of former field boundaries, with the remaining features comprising pits and postholes that did not form any obvious structures. It is likely that the features encountered at Popple Burn Park are part of a wider zone of rural medieval activity centred beyond the extents of the excavated area, with sporadic elements of earlier prehistoric activity.

An analysis of the current and potential market opportunities for hempseed and fibre: the case of Scotland?

BackgroundThe growing demand for eco-friendly food and industrial products have renewed interest in industrial hemp which is a low-cost, biodegradable, sustainable, and multi-purpose plant. Many countries in Europe and Asia have changed their laws to take advantage of the tremendous benefits that industrial hemp present. However, the development of the sector in Scotland is very slow due to stringent laws. The goal of the present study is to present policymakers with economic data on the current and potential market opportunities for industrial hemp, trends in new product development, and the state of the hemp supply chain. This study entails desk-based research primary and secondary data analysis. Primary data were collected from farmers in Aberdeenshire and Scottish borders, and secondary data were collected from the FAOSTATS Office of National Statistics and the Global New Product Database.ResultsThe results of this study show that the opportunities from hemp seed and fibre are vast: hemp can sequester more carbon dioxide than traditional crops can, improve soil biodiversity, extract toxins from soil through phytoremediation, be used as an eco-friendly insecticide and pesticide, and provide an excellent source of protein, fibre and micronutrient vitamins and minerals, as well as a range of bioactive phytochemicals. The GNPD reveals that over 4000 hemp-based products have been launched worldwide. However, the supply chain for Scottish-grown hemp faces significant bottlenecks. The sector lacks a well-established market route, faces a high licensing costs, lacks hemp seed-pressing centres, etc.ConclusionThis study is relevant because it is the first study to provide a comprehensive analysis of the industrial hemp sector in Scotland. This study makes time-bound recommendations to grow the hemp sector in Scotland, which include regular extension services, easy access to licences for production, the establishment of a hempseed and fibre processing plants, and seed production centre.

On Ossirarus kierani, a stem tetrapod from the Tournaisian of Burnmouth, Berwickshire, Scotland, and the phylogeny of early tetrapods

Recent discoveries in the Scottish Borders have greatly expanded our knowledge of post-Devonian tetrapods. Six new taxa have been named and briefly described so far. One of these, Ossirarus kierani, is represented by a single specimen from the coastal section of the Tournaisian Ballagan Formation at Burnmouth. It comprises the disarticulated bones of the posterior half of the skull, the anterior portion of the axial skeleton, and parts of the pectoral girdle and forelimbs. It is relatively small, with an estimated skull length of 54 mm. Like some Devonian tetrapods it has a preopercular and a lateral line system represented by pores. It shares with embolomeres, a tabular-parietal suture, an intertemporal and a long tabular horn. The gastrocentrous vertebrae resemble those of Caerorhachis and the brachial foramen pierces the humerus through the posterior edge, as in Mesanerpeton. Phylogenetic analyses place Ossirarus on the tetrapod stem, crownward of some – but not all – Devonian taxa. The topology of the tetrapod stem suggests that numerous lineages of Carboniferous tetrapods extended back into the Devonian.

Stills, Shielings and Retting Ponds

Folklore, Ethnology, Scottish History, Rural life, Regional Studies, Local Studies, Archaeology, Material Culture, Scottish Borders, Cultural History, Fieldwork, Excavation, Stills, Illicit Stills, Distilling, Shielings, Retting ponds, Farming History

Re-examining the reused Roman masonry at Rubers Law hillfort

Antiquarian exploration of the archaeological features on Rubers Law (NGR: NT 58030 15567), a large hill in the Scottish Borders, found approximately 30 worked Roman stones on the summit of the hill. Based on the prominent location and visibility from the site, these stones led to the conclusion that there had been a Roman tower on the hill, despite a lack of further supporting evidence. In order to investigate the possibility of a Roman structure on the hill, two surface surveys of the stone tumble were conducted in 2016 and 2017, locating almost 300 sandstone blocks around the summit of Rubers Law. The distribution of the stones was analysed using point density analysis in GIS and was examined in relation to the remaining archaeological features on the summit. Based on the hotspots in the distribution of the stones, the majority were in a tertiary context after being reused in the construction of a post-Roman nucleated hillfort. In light of recording a much larger number of Roman stones on Rubers Law, this paper also reinterprets the evidence for a Roman tower and explores other possible structures that could have been built on the summit.

Caridoid crustaceans from the Ballagan Formation (Tournaisian, Lower Carboniferous) of Willie's Hole, Chirnside, Scottish Borders, UK

ABSTRACT The descriptions of two co-occurring cardioid crustaceans from the Ballagan Formation (Tournaisian, Lower Carboniferous) of Chirnside, Scottish Borders, help to resolve the taxonomy of the genus Tealliocaris. Tealliocaris robusta Peach, 1908 is assigned to Schramocaris to form S. robusta (Peach, 1908) comb. nov. on the basis of morphological characters such as the rugosity and position of the branchial carinae as well as the nature of the pleon, and becomes the earliest representative of this genus in Scotland. A new species of Tealliocaris is also recognised from this locality and is described as T. briggsi sp. nov., based on the smooth carapace, lack of pleonic grooves and the number of spines on the scaphocerite and lateral margin of the anterior carapace. The systematic position of the Pendleian specimens identified by Peach (1908) as ‘Tealliocaris robusta var.’ is finally resolved and described as T. weegie sp. nov.

Effective Trigger Speeds for Vehicle Activated Signs on 20 mph Roads in Rural Areas

This paper aims to offer novel empirical evidence as to the identification of the most effective Trigger Speeds (TS) for Vehicle-Activated Signs (VAS) in rural areas. To achieve this, an experimental study was carried out in the area of Scottish Borders, UK, in settlements with 20 mph speed limits. To determine the effective trigger speeds for VAS, in terms of reducing vehicle speeds, a comparative quantitative analysis was conducted using traffic and speed data collected during different waves of a traffic survey, for which various TS settings were deployed (24 mph, 28 mph and 35 mph). The descriptive analysis showed that the 24 mph TS threshold seems to be more effective compared to the other TS settings considered, mainly in terms of reducing the 85th percentile speeds. The 28 mph threshold was identified to yield slightly lower mean speeds compared to the other TS settings. Non-parametric and parametric statistical tests were conducted on the basis of approximately 2.8 million speed observations to identify any statistically significant speed differences under various TS settings. Overall, the findings of this study show that the application of VAS in addition to 20 mph speed limits helps reduce vehicle speeds. In particular, setting a TS to remind drivers, especially those driving between 21–24 mph, that they should slow down has led to statistically significant reductions in speeds driven. This provides road safety benefits both from the reduction in kinetic energy in the transport system, any consequent crash-related outcomes, and also by improving perceived safety for all who use and live close to roads where 20 mph speed limits augmented with VAS have been implemented.

A social turn for Construction Grammar: double modals on British Twitter

Construction Grammar is an emerging theory of language, but the analysis of sociolinguistic variation is still relatively underdeveloped in the framework. In this article, we consider the representation of social meaning in Construction Grammar through a corpus-based analysis of double modals in British English on social media. We describe the use of double modals in a large corpus of geolocated Twitter posts, including presenting an inventory of observed double modals and maps showing the regional distribution of each of these forms. We find that double modals show a general northern pattern and are concentrated in the Scottish Borders. We also find various rare double modals that occur more widely across the UK. To account for these results, we propose a Construction Grammar account of double modals. We argue that defining double modals as grammatical constructions requires that aspects of their social meaning be delimited, especially register and region. Furthermore, we argue that double modals may be enregistered as dialect constructions, distinguished from standard constructions of British English. We conclude by considering the importance of incorporating social meaning into Construction Grammar, underlining the value of a Cognitive Sociolinguistic approach to grammatical theory.

An overview of the Scottish National Adder Survey 2022-24

A study was commissioned by NatureScot to analyse changes in the status of the adder (Vipera berus) and other native reptiles at 16 sites across mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Arran over a 30-year period from 1992-93 to 2022-24. In 2022-24, volunteer surveyors revisited sites that were previously surveyed in 1992-93 to identify changes in occupancy. Visual surveys recorded adder, common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), common frog (Rana temporaria), common toad (Bufo bufo), smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), and palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus). Adders were observed in comparable or even greater numbers at eight sites (seven of the original sites surveyed in 1992-93), but an apparent loss of adders at three of the original sites, and major declines at a previously favourable site on the Scottish Borders are cause for concern. Of the other reptiles, common lizards were the most widespread, recorded at 12 sites; and slow-worms were least often recorded, in low numbers at only four sites, though this could be expected in visual surveys for this cryptic species. This publication reviews the factors most likely to be affecting adders in Scotland, particularly the loss of suitable habitat, the likely historic impact of persecution and the potential effects of disturbance by recreational site users. It highlights the importance of sympathetic habitat management, with a particular focus on maintaining favourable micro-habitats for reptiles.

Small socketed axeheads from northern Britain

In 2019 a miniature bronze socketed axehead was discovered near Morebattle, Scottish Borders. As such artefacts are rare finds in northern Britain, the opportunity has been taken to draw together the range of unusually small socketed axeheads recorded from Scotland and northern England, and to discuss them in their wider British context. For the first time, scientific techniques are applied to these objects, including optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis and computed X-radiography, to inform discussions of wear analysis, material composition, manufacture and chronology. The paper concludes with a discussion of the function and meaning of small socketed axeheads and their changing role over time. Canmore ID 25199 Canmore ID 55084 Canmore ID 69801 Canmore ID 11986

Hume Village and Castle

A three-year community archaeology project was completed on behalf of the Hume Castle Preservation Trust at the village of Hume in the Scottish Borders. The project engaged with over 300 members of the public, providing training and volunteering opportunities in a suite of archaeological skills. The project work focused on Hume Village and its surrounding landscape; in particular Hume Castle and the remains of the former medieval village immediately surrounding it, and the associated kirkyard which housed the former Hume Parish Church. Extensive survey work was completed in the kirkyard and adjacent Glebe, in the grounds of Hume Castle, and at the castle itself. Excavations were completed in the castle grounds, the Glebe, and in the garden of West End Cottage in Hume Village. The results of the survey and excavation works portray the changing settlement pattern and use of land in the village area, particularly highlighting occupation and use of the former buildings surrounding the castle up to 200 years after its destruction. A similar pattern was found in the kirkyard, with continual use of the cemetery over 300 years after the abandonment, and probable destruction, of the former kirk. The results indicate that despite the destruction of its castle and kirk, the village of Hume has persevered, maintaining an important sense of place and memory in the landscape.

Assessing the Impact of 20 mph Speed Limits on Vehicle Speeds in Rural Areas: The Case of the Scottish Borders

This paper aims at delivering new empirical evidence as to the effectiveness of 20 mph speed limits in rural areas. For this purpose, speed and traffic data were drawn from the area of the Scottish Borders, UK, where the local Council led the rollout of a 20 mph speed limit trial in 97 villages and towns from October 2020. This intervention is considered as one of the first of its kind in the UK and overseas, as it was carried out on a large scale, in predominantly rural areas. To evaluate the impact of the 20 mph speed limit on vehicle speeds, we conducted a “before–after” quantitative analysis using traffic and speed data collected in different waves before and after the intervention. The descriptive analysis showed that both mean and 85th percentile speeds reduced directly after the introduction of the 20 mph speed limit (by 3.1 mph and 3.2 mph, respectively), and that such speed reductions were largely maintained even up to eight months after the onset of the intervention. The largest speed reductions were observed in locations with high-speed patterns before the intervention, and especially in those having mean speeds greater than 25 mph before the intervention. Both non-parametric and parametric statistical tests, which were conducted using approximately five million speed observations, showed that the observed speed changes were statistically significant for the vast majority of cases. Linear regression models were also estimated confirming the significant impact of the 20 mph limit on vehicle speeds, while controlling for the influence of traffic volume. Overall, the findings of this study will likely assist in filling an evidence gap regarding the effectiveness of 20 mph speed limits in rural settlements. They can also provide encouragement to those local authorities in the UK and abroad that are currently actively examining the possibility of setting the 20 mph as the default limit in built-up areas.

High-resolution definition and correlation of the Asbian–Brigantian boundary in northern England and the Scottish borders, using foraminiferal diversity and richness

Foraminiferal diversity and taxa richness from beds transitional between the Asbian and Brigantian substages (Middle Mississippian) show patterns of secular change which allow detailed inter-regional correlations to be established. Foraminifera from the Askrigg Block, Stainmore Trough, Alston Block, South Cumbria Shelf and Solway Basin show similar secular changes (foraminiferal trends, FTs), allowing correlation to be made with the basal Brigantian Stratotype at Janny Wood. Despite the absence of consistent microfossil first occurrence markers for the recognition of the base of the Brigantian, this horizon can be confidently recognized by means of foraminiferal trends. The FTs allow the precise location of the base of the correlated Brigantian in sections where this boundary was questioned or controversial in previous studies, as well as to amend the position of the foraminiferal zones and subzones during the late Asbian and basal Brigantian. This type of analysis when used in combination with foraminiferal zonations, emergent surfaces and lithological cyclicity, together, provide a robust means for high-resolution correlation. This methodology, provides the least uncertainty in sections that have been most densely sampled, whereas for less intensely sampled sections there is more correlation uncertainty.

Soil and spatial analyses in the assessment of the focal point of the extinct medieval royal burgh of Roxburgh

Soil and spatial analyses in the assessment of the focal point of the extinct medieval royal burgh of Roxburgh

From Underwear to Outerwear: The Influence of Machinery on Creativity and Garment Styling in the Scottish Knitwear Industry, 1920s–1970s

Although machine knitted garments are ubiquitous today, they have only been manufactured for little over a century. The growing popularity of knitted outerwear and the demand for readymade clothing during the interwar period gave hosiery manufacturers an opportunity to diversify their product range using machinery and processes previously only used for the production of underwear. This case study uses the surviving design books of a single company, Peter Scott and Co. Ltd, based in the Scottish Borders to explore a little-known period of creative experimentation. The company exploited two very different types of production during the years between the wars. A comparison of these, and the garment designs they yielded, offers an opportunity to interrogate the relationships between design, product, and process. An examination of the relationship between product and machinery reveals influence and opportunity as well as negotiation and restriction. This case study not only assesses the influence of machinery on garment styling but also serves to place design into the context of business and industry, which can reveal how business dilemmas, choices and challenges impacted its use.

Bronze Age Platform Round-houses, Lee Burn Head, Cardrona, Scottish Borders

An archaeological excavation was undertaken in 2020 to assess the condition and impact of accidental tree planting on two poorly recorded unenclosed platforms on the hills south of Cardrona, Scottish Borders. The work recorded two round-houses in the centre of the platforms, and excavation focused on Platform 2, revealing evidence of multi-phased occupation. An artefact assemblage of coarse stone tools, stone objects and pottery sherds was recovered. Radiocarbon dating and artefactual evidence suggest a Middle Bronze Age date.

Prenuptial Rituals in Scotland: Blackening the Bride and Decorating the Hen

Prenuptial Rituals in Scotland: Blackening the Bride and Decorating the Hen

How long do bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) control treatments maintain effectiveness?

Pteridium aquilinum is a problematic, perennial, invasive species worldwide that poses serious problems in the British uplands. However, there is a lack of knowledge on long-term success in terms of weed control and land improvement. We assessed the effects of six P. aquilinum-control treatments at two acid-grassland sites in the Scottish Borders (Sourhope 1 & 2). There were six treatments: (i) untreated, (ii) cutting once-yearly, (iii) cutting twice-yearly, (iv) asulam sprayed in year 1, (v) cutting once in year 1/asulam in year 2, and (vi) asulam in year 1/cut in year 2. The annual cutting treatments were stopped after 9/10 years. We measured the response of three variables over 25/26-years assessing P. aquilinum-performance, agricultural-improvement and species richness. We estimated the treatment “effect window”, defined as the period over which the P. aquilinum-control treatments had a significant effect relative to untreated experimental-controls.Results were completely different for all variables in the two experiments. At Sourhope 1 the cutting treatments had much longer “effect windows” than the herbicide-based treatments in reducing P. aquilinum performance, especially the cut twice-yearly treatment with a 25-year window. At Sourhope 2, the treatment differences were much reduced with the best treatment (cut twice yearly) producing a 13-year window. At both experiments, asulam-based treatments produce a minimum “effect window” of 10 years. Increases in both the agricultural-improvement index and species richness were also obtained at both sites. “Effect windows” for both agricultural-improvement index (TVI) and species richness also showed some improvement; “effect windows” were obtained of 12–20 and 9–20 years for TVI, and 7–17 and 2–10 years for species richness at Sourhope 1 and Sourhope 2 respectively. Species richness declined though time in both experiments.Cutting, and preferably twice per year, was the most effective treatment but also the costliest, with the most cost-effective approach being a single asulam spray. However, the length of the “effect windows” suggest that repeat-spraying every 10-years is needed. Unfortunately, where the aim is to recover biodiversity interventionist techniques such as seeding will also be needed.The use of “effect windows” for estimating long-term impact of perennial weed control is novel and may be of use in other situations.

Whetstones in Roman Britain: Character, Distribution, Provenance and Industries

AbstractA substantial database of published excavation and other reports has been used to map the character and distribution in Roman Britain of whetstones, those unprepossessing implements essential in the home, farmstead, workshop and barracks for the maintenance of edge-tools and weapons. The quality of the geological identifications in the reports varies considerably, but a wide range of lithologies are reported as put to use: granite, basalts-dolerites, lava, tuff, mica-schist, slates/phyllites, Brownstones, Pennant sandstone, micaceous sandstones, grey sandstones/siltstones, Millstone Grit, Coal Measures, red sandstones, ferruginous sandstones, sarsen, Weald Clay Formation sandstones, sandy limestones, shelly limestones, cementstones, and (Lower) Carboniferous Limestone. On distributional evidence, some of these categories are aliases for alternatively and more familiarly named lithologies. Bringing ‘high-end’ products to the market, the long-running industry based on sandstones from the Weald Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous) emerges as a British economic feature, evidenced from the Channel coast to the Scottish Borders, and with a recently demonstrated, substantial representation on the Roman near-continent. The distribution maps point to another and more complete British industry, based on the Brownstones (Old Red Sandstone, Devonian) and Pennant sandstone (Upper Carboniferous), outcropping close together in the West Country. A more systematic and geology-based treatment of excavated whetstones in the future is likely to yield yet more insights into the role these artefacts played in the economy of Roman Britain.