Fig. 1, the main production shed of the former Kinauld Tannery Works, 2010
Modern development along the Water of Leith to the southwest of Edinburgh has seen the disappearance of a once thriving mill industry that originated in the 18th century. The Water of Leith, with its powerful fiow and ideal transport links to the city, saw the area between Currie and Balerno busy with mills – mostly paper mills – along its banks. All of these sites have now been cleared for housing developments, and the large former tannery site owned by J Hewit & Sons Ltd at 371 Lanark Road West was one of the last sites to be cleared for new development in 2010.
The 1.2-hectare site was dominated by a four-storey production shed and chimney, with other buildings including a brick tanyard and boiler house (Fig. 1). The City of Edinburgh Council imposed a planning condition to ensure that this industrial complex, and any below-ground remains, were investigated. This project was undertaken following the advice of the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service (CECAS) and was commissioned by the developer, Dunhaven Homes Ltd.