Biggar Archaeology’s excavation at Glengonnar, 1km south of Lettershaws, entered a new phase at the end of 2025 and has continued apace this year with the discovery of our prime goal – the house of Bevis Bulmer, the Earl of Hopetoun’s first mine manager in the 1590s. 

However, this is more than just one house.  It is an L-shaped building constructed in phases comprising five connected units.  A central unit measuring c.8x6m has the base of a spiral stone staircase, an oven and a hearth in an arched alcove at the western end.  A western wing was added the building and to the east another wing which may pre-date the central structure contains an S-shaped drain and another hearth.  Following this eastern wind southwards, another two apartments have been discovered containing two more hearths and another narrow spiral staircase.  The overall dimensions of the site now measure c. 18.5×18.5m.

Back-to-back hearths in the southern wing

Oven in the central unit

Vertical drone image 13.9.26