OSMap: LR78
Type: 3 Roman Forts, 2 Fortlets and 9 Camps.
Military Road: ESE (13) to Ladyward (Dumfries & Galloway)
Possible Road: SW (20) to Glenlochar (Dumfries & Galloway)
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NGRef: NX9384 OSMap: LR78 Type: 3 Roman Forts, 2 Fortlets and 9 Camps. |
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| Roads | |
|---|---|
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Military Road: NNW (12) to Drumlanrig (Dumfries & Galloway) Military Road: ESE (13) to Ladyward (Dumfries & Galloway) Possible Road: SW (20) to Glenlochar (Dumfries & Galloway) | |
The first Roman encampment at Dalswinton was a large installation built on the banks of the River Nith during the early campaigns of Gnaeus Julius Agricola sometime around AD80. The occupation of this 'vexillation fortress' was short, very likely only a single winter, after which the fortress was considerably reduced in size as the campaigns of this intrepid general moved the scene of fighting away to the north. The reduced fort was itself abandoned after a short period, probably due to flooding, to be replaced by another, slightly smaller fort on higher ground to the north-east. This second site was completely rebuilt and considerably enlarged during the tenure of governor Sallustius Lucullus, Agricola's successor c.AD90, in order to house two auxiliary cavalry units. It is likely that the complex at Dalswinton, in at least two separate phases during the Flavian and Trajanic periods, constituted the Roman military headquarters in south-west Scotland.
Like many other such places in the valleys of Lowland Scotland, Roman activities in the area of Dalswinton in Nithsdale has bequeathed the area with a profusion of military encampments, mostly on the north-east bank of the River Nith:
| Location | N.G.Ref | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Dalswinton Bankfoot | NX9384 | Agricolan Fort(s) |
| Dalswinton Bankhead | NX9384 | late-Flavian Fort(s) |
| Carzield | NX9681 | Antonine Fort |
| Barburgh Mill | NX9088 | Antonine Fortlet |
| Kirkland | NX8090 | Antonine? Fortlet |
| Dalswinton | NX9383 | 3 Marching Camps |
| Shawhead | NX8776 | 2 Marching Camps |
| Fourmerkland | NX9180 | 2 Marching Camps |
| Ellisland | NX9284 | Marching Camp |
| Gallaberry | NX9682 | Marching Camp |
| Armisfield | NX9984 | Marching Camp |
Bankfoot I: The first semi-permanent military site in the Dalswinton area was built on the flood-plain of the Nith south of Dalswinton and west of Dalswinton House. Since discovery from the air by Professor St. Joseph in 1972, it has always been known that a large fort lay on the river holms at Bankfoot, but it was not until the north angle was discovered from the air in 1984 that the fort's very-large size became apparent. The encampment defined by its double ditch system measures about 1,315 feet by 715 feet (c.400 x 218 m), enclosing an area of around 21½ acres (c.8.7 ha); this is sufficiently large enough to have housed a considerable proportion of a Roman legion, plus a couple of auxiliary cavalry units, a combined force of 2,000+ infantry and 1,000 cavalry. An establishment of this size and character is known as a 'vexillation fortress'.
Bankfoot II: After a short period of occupation the fortress (Bankfoot I) was reduced in size to that of a large fort. This second fort measured around 715 ft by 570 ft (c.218 x 174 m) and enclosed an area of 9¼ acres (c.3.7 ha). It was abandoned after a short time in favour of the site at Bankhead, situated on higher ground some 500 ft. (152 m) to the north, probably after severe flooding one Winter.
Bankhead I: The first fort on this site measured about 600 feet square (183 m²), thus covering an area of about 8¼ acres (c.3.3 ha). There were gateways in the centre of the north-east and south-west defences. An annexe added to the northern half of the north-east rampart exhibited two phases of development.
Bankhead II: The second use of the site saw the north-eastern defences levelled and extended by 175 feet. The resultant fort, plainly oriented to the north-east, covered an area of roughly 10¾ acres (4.3ha). A large annexe measuring around 770 by 350 feet and enclosing 6¼ acres was added along the south-east (235 x 107 m; c.2.5 ha).
Pottery sherds recovered from the environs of the Dalswinton Bankhead forts include a piece of Central Gaulish samian Form 37, which has been dated to the Trajanic period, also some South Gaulish decorated wares; a single piece of Form 29 and two (or three) pieces of Form 37, which may be Antonine.
