Introduction

This evening, I am reporting on the Lurg Moor Roman Fortlet high above Greenock in the west of Scotland. This dates from the second century AD.

Section of Roman era ditch with Greenock in far distance.

Information on the Lurg Moor Roman Fortlet.

This is one of the best preserved of a group of Roman fortlets located on the western end of the Antonine Wall. The grass covered rampart measures 43m by 49m with a height of up to 1 metre. There is a well preserved surrounding ditch. This dips to a depth of up to 2m below the crest of the rampart. Access to this site is difficult with no defined path or signage. Nearby are the remains of three hut circles which may date back to 1000BC. These remains have nothing to do with the Roman era.

Video clip of the Lurg Moor site with Greenock below.

For illustration purposes the image below is an artist’s impression of a 1st century Roman observation tower. This particular construction is on the Gask Ridge in Perthshire, central Scotland. It might bear some resemblance to the original Lurg Moor fortlet.

Access is difficult. In the past I have parked near the cemetery at foot of the hill and then climbed up. There is no path, difficult fences have to be tackled and the ground is very wet. However, on good weather days there are excellent views across the Clyde and to mountains beyond. See video clip below.

View north from Lurg Moor to the Clyde and beyond.

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 is also available via Kindle.