"Excavations at Cathcart Castle, Glasgow, 1980-81" with Dr. Brian Kerr

After gaining an MA in Archaeology and Medieval History from Glasgow University, Brian worked briefly for Ian Ralston, before leading excavations at Cathcart Castle in the early 1980s. Since then he has specialised in the archaeology of buildings, notably castles, monastic sites and managed landscapes.

He eventually became Head of Archaeological Investigation for English Heritage. He recently left “to spend some quality time with his pension”.

The remains of the towerhouse of Cathcart Castle partially collapsed in 1979 and in thorough Glaswegian fashion were then made safe by means of almost complete demolition.

An excavation was carried out under the sponsorship of Glasgow Museums, the results eventually being published in 2016 with the support of Historic Environment Scotland.

The sequence of development from the construction of the tower in the mid-15th century through to 17th century expansion was revealed and analysis of the ceramic assemblage suggested an earlier settlement from the 12th – 15th centuries. Most dramatic of all was the discovery of a large clearance assemblage relating to the partial demolition of the site in the middle of the 18th century. This produced evidence not only for the decoration of the interior of the tower but also for the lives and tastes of its inhabitants in the first half of the 18th century.

Brian’s talk is entitled “Excavations at Cathcart Castle, Glasgow, 1980 -81” and takes place at the Parish Centre, Berwick TD15 1FD commencing at 7.30 pm. All welcome.