Archaeological dig on blaze site reveals 'Cowgate palaces'

ARCHAEOLOGISTS digging at the site of the fire that devastated part of Edinburgh's Old Town have uncovered remains of buildings going back to the 16th century.

It is thought the homes may have belonged to some of the city's wealthiest inhabitants. Fragments of pottery, coins and pipes have been recovered from the site, where a major archeological dig is going on before a hotel is built in the next few years.

About half the area is being examined during the three-week project, the biggest archaeological analysis there since the blaze, which destroyed a number of buildings.