Introduction
This afternoon, I am providing summary information on the Romans in Scotland. This post is targeted at persons, perhaps visitors, who wish to connect with this period of time in Scottish history.
Summary information on the Romans in Scotland
During most of the period AD43-AD410 the Romans occupied most of what is now England and Wales. They left a legacy of towns, cities, roads, luxury villas and engineering remnants of which are still with us today.
However, what is now Scotland, i.e. the territory north of Hadrian’s Wall, was never fully conquered. The Romans undertook various military campaigns in Scotland but failed to consolidate the territory within the Empire. The longest period of occupation was about twenty years when the northern limit of the Empire was extended about 100 miles north of Hadrian’s Wall. This was the time when the Antonine Wall stretched across country between (approximately) modern-day Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Hikers on section of the Antonine Wall
Roman sites within range of Glasgow
Bearsden Roman Bathhouse
Located about eight miles NW of Glasgow city centre. Open 24/7. This is the bathhouse connected to the local fort on the Antonine Wall. More information can be found here.
Bothwellhaugh Roman Bathhouse
These remains are located within Strathclyde Country Park, about sixteen miles SE of Glasgow. More information can be obtained here.
Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
The Hunterian has an entire section dedicated to the Antonine Wall. Here is information on distance slabs recording construction of the Wall.
Display at Hunterian Museum
Antonine Wall
Refer this link for sections of interest. The Wall is accessible 24/7.
Roman sites within range of central Scotland (e.g. Stirling)
Ardoch Roman Fort
Located at the village of Braco, about fourteen miles north of Stirling. Open 24/7 with free entry. See this link for more information.
Kaims Castle
A watch tower, a few miles from Ardoch, forming part of the Gask Ridge. See this link for more information.
Image of Kaims Castle in winter
Inchtuthil Roman Legionary Fortress.
Located near Blairgowrie, about forty six miles NE of Stirling. See this link for more information. Open 24/7 with free entry.
Dunning Roman Camp
About twenty seven miles NE of Stirling. Open 24/7 with free entry. See this link for more information.
Part of camp’s defences
Roman connections within range of Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotland
A carved lioness from the Roman period can be seen in the National Museum along with other artefacts.
A hoard of Roman silver, probably a bribe, which was found at Traprain Law, a former Pictish hill fort. See this link for more information.
Part of silver hoard
Cramond
A former Roman military supply base located about six miles west of Edinburgh. Open 24/7. No entry fee. More information on Cramond can be found here.
Artist’s impression of original supply base.
Roman site in the Scottish Borders region.
The key site in the Borders region is Trimontium, a fort near Melrose. Again, 24/7 free access. There are information boards.
More information
Information on Hadrian’s Wall, the Antonine Wall and Scotland’s history can be found in Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.