Addyman Archaeology monitored a series of investigative trenches at Bellfield Church, Portobello to inform a proposed planning application for alterations and new structures on the site. The church is Category B Listed Building and is currently run by Action Port as a community events venue. The new proposals will improve access and utility of the building and include new buildings, toilets and bike sheds. Four trenches were excavated by mini digger with two to the west and two to the east of the church. The trenches were excavated by gravedigger staff from Edinburgh Council. The brick piers of a series of grave plots were identified on the western edge of the graveyard close to the boundary wall at a depth of 0.60m, although no human remains were encountered. The layout of these plots is shown on a drainage plan for the area made in 1922. On the south side of the church at a depth of 0.80m the remains of the edge of a coffin and metal fittings were recorded in section; a single loose bone was also recorded within the same trench. A possible grave cut was recorded further to the east, although there was also a lot of disturbance in this area resulting from the construction of the Church Hall in the 1960s. No further clear grave cuts or burial plots were identified and no human remains were disturbed.
K Macfadyen (Sat,) studied this question.