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Kids Learning Zone

Roman Scotland 

Scotland has a rich history from all periods including Roman. You may not know that right here we have one of the oldest Roman frontiers in the world, the Gask Ridge running from Stirling to Perth and further up the East coast. A Roman road with a series of watch towers along its length with forts and camps dotted along the route from different ages.

There are a good number of forts & camps marking the route of the Roman invasion of Scotland. The occupation lasted in total about 40 years spread over a period of 150 years, between the 1st & 3rd centuries although it may be longer with new evidence that has been discovered. It was a very fluid occupation where they were here for few years then retreated again to Hadrian's Wall then reoccupied again for a while then left again.

The Antonine wall which runs from Bo'ness on the Forth to Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde was a turf & timber wall, built to help control the natives & demonstrate the might of Rome. There are to this day some truly amazing earth work remains to be seen especially in the Falkirk area. A number of bathhouse remains can still be found in Bearsden & Strathclyde park. You can actually see the base of the walls & the layout of the rooms.

Below are some pictures of what is still visible today, if you know where to look. Ask your local museum about the Roman remains & artefact's in your area you will be amazed at what is to be found right on your door step.

The units Stationed or who campaigned in Caledonia would probably have come from the northern capital of Eboracum 'York'. They would have marched up north probably along Dere Street the main road north following part of the modern A1 & A68.

 
Ardoch Fort near Braco, Perthshire. One of the most significant Roman remains in Europe. (picture courtesy David Wooliscroft) The 'Vallum' ditch at Rough Castle near Bonnybridge, part of the Antonine Wall.

'Lillia' minefield at Rough Castle, these are holes that had rough stakes at the bottom to deter attackers, also you could find large steaks above ground to deter cavalry.

 The 'Vallum' ditch & Roman road at Seabegs Wood near Bonnybridge, part of the Antonine Wall.
The Bathhouse at Bearsden still clearly visible beside a modern housing complex. A typical Roman toilet block with deep water channels below where the wooden bench seats were, also showing the spongia washing channel in the center of the floor with hand wash basins or spongia bowls for the communal sponges.
The extent of the Roman empire at it's greatest time, you can see most of Europe and Northern Africa were part of the vast Roman rule. Still visible today the ring ditch of Muir of Fauld on the Gask Ridge near Perth. (picture courtesy David Wooliscroft)