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Ardoch Roman Fort, Perthshire, Scotland
Monday, October 19, 2009
This evening, I am posting information on one my favourite Roman sites in Scotland, namely Ardoch Fort at Braco, Perthshire.
This site is huge, extending to up to 8.5 acres. During the Roma era it experienced at least three periods of occupation-the Gask period in the late 1st century, then the Antonine period (roughly AD 140-160) and in the early 3rd century.
During the Gask period (AD 70s-80s) Ardoch was garrisoned by cohors 1 Hispanorum equitata. At this time the site was at its peak of 8.5 acres. During the Antonine period Ardoch was refurbished in its role as an outpost for the Antonine Wall but at reduced size of 5.7 acres.
In the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow can be found a tombstone found at Ardoch and dating from the Gask era. This provides an interesting human touch in recording the death of a centurion, Ammonius, of the 1st cohort of Spaniards who died after 27 yrs service, i.e.about age
45 yrs.
The video clip shows the fascinating series of ditches along the eastern side and close to one of the entrance gates. These would have been built by the soldiers themselves who were expert engineers. Not far from the eastern side is the Roman road which is just visible running NNE for about 1 mile.
The scale and extent of this site is rivalled by few comparative sites elsewhere in the Empire and is a 'must' for visitors wishing to connect with the Roman period. Access is easy.
This site is huge, extending to up to 8.5 acres. During the Roma era it experienced at least three periods of occupation-the Gask period in the late 1st century, then the Antonine period (roughly AD 140-160) and in the early 3rd century.
During the Gask period (AD 70s-80s) Ardoch was garrisoned by cohors 1 Hispanorum equitata. At this time the site was at its peak of 8.5 acres. During the Antonine period Ardoch was refurbished in its role as an outpost for the Antonine Wall but at reduced size of 5.7 acres.
In the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow can be found a tombstone found at Ardoch and dating from the Gask era. This provides an interesting human touch in recording the death of a centurion, Ammonius, of the 1st cohort of Spaniards who died after 27 yrs service, i.e.about age
45 yrs.
The video clip shows the fascinating series of ditches along the eastern side and close to one of the entrance gates. These would have been built by the soldiers themselves who were expert engineers. Not far from the eastern side is the Roman road which is just visible running NNE for about 1 mile.
The scale and extent of this site is rivalled by few comparative sites elsewhere in the Empire and is a 'must' for visitors wishing to connect with the Roman period. Access is easy.
Labels: Roman Scotland
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:45 PM 0 comments 
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Bearsden Roman Bath-House, Scotland.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Today, we visited The Antonine Wall and Bearsden Roman Bath-House, Scotland.
The Antonine Wall was the northernmost frontier of the Roman'occupation. Construction was begun in 138 AD, during the reign of Emperor Antonius Pius, and continued for four years. The Antonine Wall represents an incredible part of Scotland's history. In 2008, the Antonine Wall gave World Heritage Status, from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, it recognised as one of the most important historical sites in the world.
After, we visited Bearsden Roman Bath-House. Bearsden Roman bath-house stood in a fortified annexe attached to Bearsden Roman fort. It was built in the years following 142 AD by the army of the Roman emperor Antonius Pius. The bath-house was used by the whole garrison and there had steam rooms, dry hot and cold rooms and hot and cold baths.
The bath-house was discovered in 1973 during excavations carried out in advance of the house construction.
The Antonine Wall and Bearsden Roman Bath-House are remarkable examples of the survival of ancient archaeological remains. Well worth a visit.
Labels: Roman Scotland
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:37 PM 0 comments
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Bothwellhaugh Roman Bath House Strathclyde Scotland
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
This morning I visited Strathclyde Country Park near Motherwell. Here, in 1973, was discovered a bath house close to the South Calder Water and in proximity to the Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort.
The fort was on the line of the Roman road linking Carlisle with the Clyde.
The bath-house comprised a number of rooms: a vestibule, a cold room, two warm rooms,a hot room and a furnace room. The facility would have been restricted to about 20 soldiers at any one time.
After the Romans departed there is evidence that local "squatters" were in occupation with the building a total ruin by end of the second century AD.
The fort was on the line of the Roman road linking Carlisle with the Clyde.
The bath-house comprised a number of rooms: a vestibule, a cold room, two warm rooms,a hot room and a furnace room. The facility would have been restricted to about 20 soldiers at any one time.
After the Romans departed there is evidence that local "squatters" were in occupation with the building a total ruin by end of the second century AD.
Labels: Roman Scotland
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:40 PM 0 comments
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Private Roman Day Tour of Perthshire
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Today I am presenting some pictures of our day trip to Falkirk and Perthshire with a Roman Scotland theme.
We went today to Falkirk to see the remains of the Rough Castle, ( Bonnybridge) from Roman History. You can see its well preserved ramparts, highlighting the fort, and also some stretches of the Antonine Wall, which was built from AD138 to 1442. The Antonine Wall (now a World Heritage Site) was used as a means of defence. You can also find a series of pits arranged in checkerboard configuration. they once contained sharpened stakes camouflaged with twigs and foliage. these pitfalls called "lilia" were used to stop and surprise the ennemy.
Then we went to Dunning, and met a very helpful local gentleman who drove us to an ancien roman site, in the Kincladie woods. You can find there a Roman Dyke which formed part of the outer boundaries of a temporary Roman Camp . After that, we saw the Dupplin Cross, which was before in Edinburgh and then placed to the care of Historic Scotland in 2002, and has been by ST Serf Church in Dunning since that time. The Dupplin Cross dates from arround AD800.
And also, a quick visit to another ancient roman site, Ardoch Fort, which dates arround AD80 in Braco and saw the Findo Gask Ridge and the Library of Innerpeffray, which well worth the visit.
Rough Castle and Antonine Wall
Dunning
ST Serf Church and Dupplin Cross
Ardoch Fort
Innerpeffray Chapel and Library
Findo Gask Ridge
Labels: Roman Scotland
posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:35 PM 0 comments
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