Roman Military Campaigns
In Scotland and Northern England
Inchtuthill and the Glen Forts
It is likely that work started on the Inchtuthill fortress no earlier than AD85, the year after Agricola left Britain. This legionary base was abandoned uncompleted perhaps in the winter of 85/86, certainly by the summer of 86 when the removal from Britain of Legio II Adiutrix for use in Domitian's Dacian wars forced the Twentieth Legion to be withdrawn from Scotland to maintain the garrison at Chester, recently vacated by the Second.
At the same time as the Inchtuthill legionary base was being built, a number of forts were also constructed at the mouth of each glen leading into the Caledonian highlands, to the south-east of Inchtuthill at: Barochan on the Clyde, Drumquhassle at the SE corner of Loch Lomond, Malling at Menteith, Bochastle at Callander, Dalginross at Comrie and Fendoch at the mouth of the Sma' Glen, also to the north-east at: Ardoch, Strageath, Bertha, Cargill, Cardean and Stracathro. There may also have been another fort situated in the anomalously large gap between the latter two forts.
Ardoch may have been garrisoned by an auxiliary unit and a legionary cohort, and excavations at Fendoch and Cardean have demonstrated that both forts were evacuated after only a short occupation period. A number of bronze asses of AD86 have been uncovered at a number of military sites in Scotland; Inchtuthill, Camelon, Strageath, Stracathro, Crawford, Newstead, Cramond, Castledykes and Barochan. The finding of these coins, all in almost unworn condition, proves that all of these sites were garrisoned in that year or shortly afterwards. It is almost certain, given the stong garrisons in the glen forts that the Romans intended these camps to act as a springboard into the Caledonian highlands along the lines of the Glens. These plans were halted by the advent of war in Dacia.
"The abandonment of Inchtuthill was almost certainly accompanied by the withdrawal of the garrisons of the glen forts." (Breeze, p.61)
Dispositions During the First Flavian period (AD85-c.90)
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PINNATA CASTRA (Inchtuthill, Tayside) | NO1239 | Legionary Fortress Legio XX Valeria. |
| CORSTOPITVM (Corbridge, Northumberland) | NY9864 | Large Fort. |
| TRIMONTIVM (Newstead, Borders) | NT5734 | Large Fort. |
| Castledykes, Strathclyde | NS9244 | Large Fort. |
| Dalswinton, Dumfries & Galloway | NX9384 | Large Fort. |
| CAMELON (Camelon, Central) | NS8680 | Large Fort. |
| ALAVNA (Ardoch, Tayside) | NN8309 | Large Fort [Glen Fort] |
| Cardean, Tayside | NO2846 | Large Fort [Glen Fort] |
| Stracathro, Tayside | NO6165 | Large Fort [Glen Fort] |
| Bertha, Tayside | NO0926 | Large Fort of uncertain occupation period [Glen Fort?] |
| Broomholm, Dumfries & Galloway | NY3781 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| BREMENIVM (High Rochester, Northumberland) | NY8398 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Oakwood, Borders | NT4224 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Milton, Dumfries & Galloway | NT0901 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Easter Happrew, Borders | NT1940 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Loudoun Hill, Strathclyde | NS6037 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Elginhaugh, Lothian | NT3267 | Medium Fort in Lowland Scotland. |
| Barochan, Strathclyde | NS4169 | Medium Fort on the Forth of Clyde [Glen Fort] |
| Drumquhassle, Central | NS4887 | Medium Fort at SE end of Loch Lomond [Glen Fort] |
| Menteith, Central | NN5600 | Medium Fort at mouth of Glen Ard [Glen Fort] |
| Bochastle, Central | NN6107 | Medium Fort at mouths of Strath Gartney and Strathyre [Glen Fort] |
| Dalginross, Tayside | NN7721 | Medium Fort at mouths of Glen Artney, Glen Earn and Glen Lednock [Glen Fort] |
| Fendoch, Tayside | NN9128 | Medium Fort at mouth of the Sma' Glen [Glen Fort] |
| Strageath, Tayside | NN8918 | Medium Fort at W end of Gask Ridge [Glen Fort] |
| Cargill, Tayside | NO1637 | Medium Fort just S of confluence of Rivers Isla and Tay [Glen Fort] |
| Glenlochar, Dumfries & Galloway | NX7364 | Medium Fort of uncertain occupation period. |
| Ward Law, Dumfries & Galloway | NY0266 | Medium Fort? Fortlet (Lantonside) and Camp? of uncertain occupation period. |
| BLATOBVLGIVM (Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway) | NY2175 | Small Fort in southern Scotland. |
| ALAVNA (Learchild, Northumberland) | NU1011 | Small Fort; the northernmost Roman fort in England. |
| Cappuck, Borders | NT6921 | Small Fort in south-east Scotland. |
| Mollins, Strathclyde | NS7171 | Small Fort between the Forth and the Clyde. |
| Chew Green, Northumberland | NT7808 | Fortlet/Station on the England/Scotland border. |
| Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway | NX5957 | Fortlet/Station in south-west Scotland. |
| Castle Greg, Lothian | ? | Fortlet/Station. |
| Kaims Castle, Tayside | NN8612 | Fortlet on the Gask Ridge. |
- Large Forts - encampments in excess of 7 acres (2.8ha).
- Medium-Sized Forts - camps between 3½ to 6½ acres (1.4 - 2.4 ha).
- Small Forts - camps around 1 acre (0.4ha).
- Fortlets and Stations - smaller camps with no administrative buildings.
The Gask Ridge
The Gask Ridge Looking East
from the station at Muir O'Fauld.
The war waged in AD83 by Domitian against the Chatti tribe east of the Rhine resulted in the withdrawal of many forces from Britain and a halt to the development of the fortress at Inchtuthill when the Twentieth Legion were forced to pull back to the recently abandoned fortress at Chester following the withdrawal of the Second Legion Adiutrix to the continent. The conclusion of this war was to see the division of Germania into two provinces, Superior and Inferior, along with a marked change of Roman military policy when a series of timber-built watch-towers were erected, spaced between 500-600m apart and fronted by a continuous timber palisade which stretched across the 120 miles (200km) of forested land between the natural barriers of the Rhine and the Danube. The concept that the Roman empire actually possessed limits began to emerge.
The Watch-Tower at Parkneuk
VRML Model from the RBO Scriptorium
This policy was continued in Britain around AD86 when a series of watch-towers were built along the Gask Ridge in Scotland. These small encampments were spaced between 760-1,520m apart, and were seemingly built to replace the Glen forts, most of which were being abandoned at this time, and their garrisons perhaps withdrawn to the Continent. A secondary line of defence to the south-east of the line of the glen forts had been occupied since Agricolan times, and upon the abandonment of these northernmost defences the forts at Ardoch and Strageath to the rear of this line underwent a period of secondary (or perhaps tertiary) occupation, and a (new?) fortlet was built at Kaims Castle. A number of watch-towers were built along the road between these fortifications, the only discernable difference between those built between Ardoch and Kaims Castle (including Westerton) and the others along the Gask Ridge to the east of Strageath is that the former possessed two enclosing ditches and the latter group possess only one.
The Gask Frontier in Tayside
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ALAVNA (Ardoch) | NN8309 | Fort, Watch-Tower W of road |
| Shiehill-1 | NN8511 | Watch-Tower W of road |
| Shiehill-2 | NN8512 | Watch-Tower E of road |
| Kaims Castle | NN8612 | Fortlet W of road |
| Westerton | NN8714 | Watch-Tower E of road |
| Strageath | NN8918 | Small Fort |
| Parkneuk | NN9118 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Reith/Raith? | NN9318 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Ardunie | NN9418 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Roundlaw | NN9518 | Watch-Tower N of road |
| Kirkhill | NN9618 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Muir o'Fauld | NN9818 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Gask House | NN9919 | Watch-Tower S of road |
| Witch Knowe | NN9919 | Watch-Tower N of road |
| Moss Side | NO0019 | Watch-Tower N of road |
| Thorny Hill | NO0220 | Fortlet, Watch-Tower N of road |
| Westmuir | NO0220 | Watch-Tower N of road |
| Bertha | NO0926 | Small Fort |
Pottery evidence points to all of these fortifications north of the Clyde/Forth being abandoned sometime before AD90.
The Withdrawal from Scotland
Following the withdrawal from the Highland borders around the Tay many other forts in lowland Scotland were decommissioned, and in the early 90's the northernmost frontier was delineated by a series of strongly held forts across the southern margins of the Cheviot Hills at Newstead, Oakwood, Milton, Dalswinton and Glenlochar.
Evidence for this period comes in the form of dateable pottery and structural remains. Newstead, Oakwood and Glenlochar exhibit two separate first-century structural phases. Milton went through at least two, possibly three phases of development during the first century. Dalswinton had perhaps as many as four separate first-century building phases. Late-first century samian ware has been unearthed at both Newstead and Dalswinton. Late-first century samian ware has been found at Castlecary, but no first-century structural remains have been discovered. As many as four first-century phases have been uncovered during excavations at the small fort on Loudoun Hill. The latest samian pottery from these forts was produced in the last decade of the first century which probably points to their being evacuated sometime about the turn of the second century.
Dispositions During Flavian Period II (c.AD90 - c.105)
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CORSTOPITVM (Corbridge, Northumberland) | NY9864 | Large Fort |
| ALAVNA (Learchild, Northumberland) | NU1011 | Large Fort |
| TRIMONTIVM (Newstead, Borders) | NT5734 | Large Fort |
| Milton, Dumfries & Galloway | NT0901 | Large Fort |
| Dalswinton, Dumfries & Galloway | NX9384 | Large Fort |
| Glenlochar, Dumfries & Galloway | NX7364 | Large Fort |
| BREMENIVM (High Rochester, Northumberland) | NY8398 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| Broomholm, Dumfries & Galloway | NY3781 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| Oakwood, Borders | NT4224 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| Loudoun Hill (Strathclyde) | NS6037 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| Cappuck, Borders | NT6921 | Small Fort |
| Chew Green, Northumberland | NT7808 | Fortlet |
| Castlecary, Central | NS7978 | Fortlet |
The Stanegate Fortifications
listed from east to west
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Washing Wells, Whickham, Tyne & Wear | NZ2160 | fort overlooking the Tyne |
| CORSTOPITVM (Corbridge, Northumberland) | NY9864 | large fort at the Dere Street/River Tyne crossing |
| Newbrough, Northumberland | NY8667 | probable fort |
| VINDOLANDA (Chesterholm, Northumberland) | NY7766 | fort |
| Haltwhistle Burn, Northumberland | NY7166 | small fort |
| MAGNIS (Carvoran, Northumberland) | NY6266 | fort at Stangate junction with Maiden Way |
| Throp, Northumberland | NY6365 | small fort |
| Nether Denton, Cumbria | NY5964 | fort |
| Old Church, Brampton, Cumbria | NY5161 | fort |
| LVGVVALIVM (Carlisle, Cumbria) | NY3956 | large fort guarding the Eden bridge |
| ABALLAVA (Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria) | NY3259 | forts and watchtower |
| Kirkbride, Cumbria | NY2257 | fort on the Wampool estuary |
Hadrianic Period (c.AD122 - c.136)
Hadrian's Wall Forts - listed from east to west
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SEGEDVNVM (Wallsend, Tyne & Wear) | NZ3066 | Fort |
| PONS AELIVS (Newcastle, Tyne & Wear) | NZ2564 | Fort |
| CONDERCVM (Benwell, Tyne & Wear) | NZ2164 | Fort |
| VINDOBALA (Rudchester, Northumberland) | NZ1167 | Fort |
| ONNVM (Halton Chesters, Northumberland) | NY9968 | Fort |
| CILVRNVM (Chesters, Northumberland) | NY9170 | Fort |
| BROCOLITIA (Carrawburgh, Northumberland) | NY8571 | Fort |
| VERCOVICIVM (Housesteads, Northumberland) | NY7868 | Fort |
| AESICA (Greatchesters, Northumberland) | NY7066 | Fort |
| CAMBOGLANNA (Birdoswald, Cumbria) | NY6166 | Fort |
| BANNA (Castlesteads, Cumbria) | NY5163 | Fort |
| VXELODVNVM (Stanwix, Cumbria) | NY4057 | Fort |
| ABALLAVA (Burgh by Sands, Cumbria) | NY3259 | Fort |
| CONCAVATA (Drumburgh, Cumbria) | NY2659 | Fort |
| MAIA (Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria) | NY2262 | Fort |
Click Here for Further Information on Hadrian's Wall
The Outpost Forts and the Hinterland of the Wall
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ARBEIA (South Shields, Tyne & Wear) | NZ3667 | Fort at mouth of the Tyne |
| MAGNIS (Carvoran, Northumberland) | NY6266 | Fort on Stanegate |
| FANVM COCIDI (Bewcastle, Cumbria) | NY5674 | Northern Outpost Fort |
| CASTRA EXPLORATORVM (Netherby, Cumbria) | NY3971 | Northern Outpost Fort |
| BLATOBVLGIVM (Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway) | NY2175 | Northern Outpost Fort |
| VINDOLANDA (Chesterholm, Northumberland) | NY7766 | Fort on Stanegate |
| ALAVNA (Maryport, Cumbria) | NY0437 | Fort of the 'Western Sea Defences' |
| GABROSENTVM (Moresby, Cumbria) | NX9821 | Fort of the 'Western Sea Defences' |
| MEDIOBOGDVM (Hardknott, Cumbria) | NY2101 | Hinterland Fort |
| LAVATRIS (Bowes, Durham) | NY9913 | Hinterland Fort |
Antonine Period I (c.AD142 - c.158)
The Antonine Wall - listed from east to west
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VELVNIATE (Carriden, Central) | NT0280 | Fort and Minor Settlement |
| Kinneil, Central | NS9780 | Fortlet |
| Mumrills, Central | NS9179 | Fort |
| Falkirk, Central | NS8879 | Fort |
| Watling Lodge, Central | NS8679 | Fortlet |
| Rough Castle, Central | NS8479 | Fort |
| Seabegs, Central | NS8179 | Fortlet |
| Castlecary, Central | NS7978 | Fort |
| Westerwood, Strathclyde | NS7677 | Fort |
| Croy Hill, Strathclyde | NS7376 | Fort, Fortlet and Minor Settlement |
| Bar Hill, Strathclyde | NS7075 | Fort |
| Auchendavy, Strathclyde | NS6774 | Fort |
| Kirkintilloch, Strathclyde | NS6574 | Fort |
| Glasgow Bridge, Strathclyde | NS6373 | Fortlet |
| Cadder, Strathclyde | NS6172 | Fort |
| Wilderness Plantation, Strathclyde | NS5972 | Fortlets |
| Balmuildy, Strathclyde | NS5871 | Fort |
| Summerston, Strathclyde | NS5772 | Fortlet |
| Bearsden, Strathclyde | NS5472 | Fort |
| Castle Hill, Strathclyde | NS5272 | Fort |
| Cleddans, Strathclyde | NS5072 | Fortlet |
| Duntocher, Strathclyde | NS4972 | Fort and Fortlet |
| Old Kilpatrick, Strathclyde | NS4673 | Fort |
| Bishopton, Strathclyde | NS4169 | Fort on south bank of the Clyde |
Click Here for Further Information on the Antonine Wall
Other Antonine Encampments
Barburgh Mill Fortlet in Dumfries & Galloway
VRML Model Prepared in the RBO Scriptorium
Antonine Period II (c.AD158 - c.162)
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TRIMONTIVM (Newstead, Borders) | NT5734 | Large Fort |
| Glenlochar, Dumfries & Galloway | NX7364 | Large Fort |
| CORSTOPITVM (Corbridge, Northumberland) | NY9864 | Fort |
| HABITANCVM (Risingham, Northumberland) | NY8986 | Fort |
| BREMENIVM (High Rochester, Northumberland) | NY8398 | Fort |
| Inveresk, Lothian | NT3472 | Fort |
| Cramond, Lothian | NT1976 | Fort |
| CASTRA EXPLORATORVM (Netherby) | NY3971 | Fort |
| BLATOBVLGIVM (Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway) | NY2175 | Fort |
| Castledykes, Strathclyde | NS9244 | Fort |
| Bothwellhaugh, Strathclyde | NS7357 | Fort |
| Whitemoss, ? | ? | Fort |
| CAMELON (Camelon, Central) | NS8680 | Fort |
| ALAVNA (Ardoch, Tayside) | NN8309 | Fort |
| Strageath, Tayside | NN8918 | Fort |
| Bertha, Tayside | NO0926 | Fort |
| Cappuck, Borders | NT6921 | Small Fort |
| Crawford, Strathclyde | NS9521 | Small Fort |
| Chew Green, Northumberland | NT7808 | Fortlet |
| Milton, Dumfries & Galloway | NT0901 | Fortlet |
| Lyne, Borders | NT1840 | Fortlet |
| Lurg Moor, Strathclyde | ? | Fortlet |
| Outerwards, Strathclyde | NS2366 | Fortlet |
The Antonine Wall was reoccupied at this time (see above).
Severan Marching Camps in Scotland
- Small Camps ~ 63 acres / 25 ha
- Medium Camps ~ 110 acres / 44 ha
- Large Camps ~ 130 acres / 52 ha
- Massive Camps ~ 165 acres / 66 ha
Third/Fourth Century Forts
| Name | N.G.Ref. | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HORREA CLASSIS (Carpow, Fife) | NO2017 | Possible Large Fort |
| Cramond, Lothian | NT1976 | Possible Medium-Sized Fort |
| TRIMONTIVM (Netherby, Borders) | NT5734 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| FANVM COCIDI (Bewcastle, Cumbria) | NY5674 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| BREMENIVM (High Rochester, Northumberland) | NY8398 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| HABITANCVM (Risingham, Northumberland) | NY8986 | Medium-Sized Fort |
| Cappuck, Borders | NT6921 | Fortlet |