Chapel-on-Leader, Earlston, Scottish Borders: Watching Brief

Addyman Archaeology undertook an archaeological watching brief at Chapel on Leader, Earlston, Scottish Borders in advance of the development of the site to construct a new dwelling. As the place name evidence suggests, there may have been a chapel in the vicinity of the site, which is recorded from the 16th century. There was therefore the possibility that archaeological evidence for a chapel or burial ground or of medieval or post-medieval occupation may exist on the site. The archaeological investigations conducted prior to the building of new dwellings at Chapel on Leader did not reveal any significant finds or features. The features recorded were field drains, modern pipes and structures from the 1940s buildings demolished earlier this year. Judging by the undisturbed field to the north, it is likely that no significant constructions existed prior to the erection of these buildings during the first half of the 20th century.