We undertook a programme of archaeological excavations and watching brief at 21 Graham Street, Leith, Edinburgh, in advance of the site’s redevelopment as a new distillery for Crabbie’s. The site lies within the lands granted by David I to Holyrood Abbey in the 12th century, where a manorial building, Bonnigton Old House, previously stood. The house is shown on the ‘Petworth Map’ of 1559 embroiled in the Siege of Leith. Most recently, the site was the location of three 19th and 20th century light industrial buildings and associated yard.  

Formal excavations were conducted in two areas of the site, within the footprint of the main building in the south-east area of the site, and north of the industrial building complex towards the central area of the yard, and a watching brief was maintained across the whole site during ground-disturbing works.  The archaeological investigations revealed and recorded remains which may be assigned to three broad phases.  The earliest phase constitutes of buried soils, features and structures dating from the earliest detectable inhabitation of the site up to the construction of Bonnington Old House in the early/mid-17th century.  These include linear ditch features, one containing a near-complete ceramic vessel, garden soils, and a substantial rubble-stone wall. Some lead shots were recovered, although no artefacts could be directly associated with the Siege of Leith.  The second phase of occupation is composed of the remnants of Bonnington Old House, itself, with wall foundations and associated features, including a partially preserved area of late-use timber flooring.  The last phase of occupation is characterised by 19th and 20th century industrial features, structures and deposits, including structural remains of the Bonnington Saw Mill and later large kiln structures associated with the galvanising works of the 20th century.