Bedrule Castle: Excavation Field School 2026

Location: F948+X2 Hawick, UK

Season: August 8, 2026 to August 20, 2026

Application Deadline: May 31, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.harparchaeology.co.uk/field-schools/bedrule-castle-scotland

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Heritage and Archaeological Research Practice (HARP)

Project Director:
Ian Hill (HARP) Phil Richardson (Archaeology Scotland)

Project Description:

HARP, in association with Archaeology Scotland, will be running a two-week excavation field school from Saturday 8^th to Thursday 20^th August at the site of Bedrule Castle in the Scottish Borders. This field school is intended for those who have no prior experience with archaeological excavations, as full training will be provided, but we also gladly welcome those who have previous archaeological experience and are looking to increase their skill set and broaden their excavation experience. Working in partnership with Archaeology Scotland, the field school will also provide an introduction to community heritage and archaeology, and how to work with local communities to research, excavate and understand their local heritage, with the excavation continuing on from Archaeology Scotland’s Towers of Rule project that has been running in the region for the past several years.

Bedrule Castle, once a stronghold of the Comyns, and later the Turnbulls, was a pivotal site in the Rule Valley, likely dating back to the 12^th century. Potentially slighted in the 16^th century by the Earl of Hertford during the Rough Wooing, Bedrule Castle was witness to turbulent times during the Anglo-Scottish wars. Whilst no above ground architecture remains, the undulating landscape and hints of some upstanding masonry below the surface have suggested substantial sub-surface remains. Previous work including geophysics and trial excavation, have revealed a significant site with substantial architectural remains. The most recent excavations revealed large masonry walls and evidence of late medieval use of the site; some of the stonework revealed the re-use of carved masonry, potentially removed from an older building (perhaps an earlier iteration of the castle or an early church).

This excavation field school intends to expose the interior of a large building believed to have been either a tower as part of the medieval castle complex, or a later medieval manor house, and will provide students with a hands-on experience of working on an archaeological excavation. All participants will learn how to excavate to a professional archaeological standard, as well as how to record the remains by completing context sheets, technical drawing, photography and surveying. Students will also have the opportunity to work with various artefact material types uncovered during the excavations such as pottery, glass and animal bone during post-excavation. Workshops on a variety of post excavation techniques including finds photography and environmental processing will also be provided.

This course will include:

• Archaeological excavation using the single context recording system
• Site recording including technical drawing, context recording and photography
• Artefact processing including handling, cleaning and storage
• Basic site surveying, monument identification and recording
• Expert workshops by specialists

 

Costs

Student Price: £ 1,095.00 • Includes full training • Includes Accommodation • Includes all meals • Includes return transport from accommodation to site each day Student Price^: £ 645.00 • Includes full training • Includes return transport from Melrose to site each day • No Accommodation • Only lunches provided Non-Student Price: £ 1,195.00 • Includes full training • Includes Accommodation • Includes all meals • Includes return transport from accommodation to site each day Non-Student Price^: £ 745.00 • Includes full training • Includes return transport from Melrose to site each day • No Accommodation • Only lunches provided

^For those selecting to book their own accommodation you must ensure that you are able to be in Melrose by 8:30am each day to ensure no hold ups to the transportation to site or, if you have your own vehicle, be in Bedrule by 9am; we bear no responsibility for collecting you from your accommodation at the start of the day, or returning you to your accommodation at the end of the day.

*Flights or travel to Scotland are not included*

Transport to and from the field school is not included but free pick-ups will be arranged between Tweedbank train station and the field school accommodation. A non-refundable 25% deposit will be required on your acceptance to secure your place.  Places are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis upon receipt of your deposit.  Prospective participants will need to complete an application form.

Accommodation

For those choosing to stay in the project accommodation this will be provided in Melrose. Shared rooms will be provided across four apartments, a short walk from the centre of Melrose which has shops, bars, and restaurants. All meals on workdays will be provided for you during the project, with catering duties shared by the group, and packed lunches provided for when we are out in the field (dietary requirements will be taken into account). The field school will include a day off, allowing participants to explore the surrounding area at their leisure. Local highlights include Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh Abbeys, the Borders Distillery in Hawick, Trimontium Roman Museum, as well as plenty of local walks.

Workbooks/Portfolios

Each participant will have the opportunity to complete a training manual and portfolio. For an extra fee of £40 (GBP), participants will be provided with extra training sessions, and a training manual and portfolio that they will fill in during the course of the excavation to take away with them. Individuals completing an Archaeological Skills Passport will have relevant sections checked off.

Application

There is no application deadline. Places are limited and are given on a first come first served basis. For more information or to apply for a place please complete the application form and return it to Ian at ian@harparchaeology.co.uk

Full terms and conditions for HARP field schools can be found at https://www.harparchaeology.co.uk/field-schools/field-school-terms-and-conditions.

 

Period(s) of Occupation: Medieval, Post-Medieval

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No Experience necessary, all welcome

Room and Board Arrangements:
For those selecting project accommodation it will be provided in holiday cottages in Melrose where twin rooms will be provided. The holiday cottages are a short walk into Melrose, which has shops, bars and restaurants. Meals are prepared communally on all working days, by participants. A full list of suggested items to bring will be sent out upon receipt of a deposit for your place on the course.

Academic Credit:
No formal credit offered but participants have the opportunity to complete a training manual/portfolio which can be used as evidence towards credit.