Explore South Lanarkshire's Roman Past

It was inevitable that the Romans should find their way into Scotland via Lanarkshire. Tentatively they made their way north from Hadrian’s Wall to quell the northern tribes and in search of slaves. The Romans crossed the River Clyde at Elvanfoot for the first time around 80 AD.

Despite building a network of roads, forts and camps the Romans were unable to quell the native Selgovae and Damonii, tribes and by 110 AD they had returned to their frontier at Hadrian’s Wall.

Nevertheless they were to return in 138 AD and it was during this visit that they built the Antonine Wall which cuts across Scotland from the Firth of Clyde to the Firth of Forth.

Two Roman roads meet at Crawford where the Romans had a fort. One from the south-west and one from the south via Beattock summit.

From Crawford a single road continued north to Biggar and then Dolphinton where a spur goes off in the direction of Lanark and another major fort at Castledykes near Ravenstruther.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 soldiers were stationed in Lanarkshire however to get a true sense of the forts it is necessary to visit the Moat Park Heritage Centre in Biggar where you can view a scale model of the fort at Crawford.

Much more obvious are the Roman roads and it is possible to wander along significant sections of these ancient highways.

On the Roman road between Durisdeer and Troloss on the A702, south of Elvanfoot you will have some sympathy for the soldiers who would have manned the remote fortlet among the brooding Lowther Hills in this very inhospitable corner of the Roman Empire.

At Crawford however the Romans broke their straight road rule and built one that curves away from the Clyde Valley at Crawford. The chose this high route around Castle Hill because they feared ambush by the locals. The views from the high point are extensive and the Romans would have been able to see trouble coming before they returned to the valley.

Another atmospheric stretch served as the main road between Biggar and Edinburgh until the 18th century and is easily followed between Dolphinton and West Linton.

BY 180 AD the Romans had abandoned the Antonine Wall but they made their presence felt with regular patrols and invasions to put down rebellions.

On and off the Romans stuck around until halfway through the 4th century.

Roman Places of Interest in Rural Lanarkshire
 

Roman Roads

• Castle Hill – most easily accessed from just beyond Southwood Farm, Abington it can be followed to Normangill farm (right-of-way)
• Dolphinton to West Linton - start the route from a short distance from the A702 at the former railway station.
• The Well Road (Durisdeer to Troloss) – obvious route to the rear of church in Durisdeer. Road climbs to Roman fortlet at the top of the pass.

Roman Forts

• Castledykes Roman Fort – a scheduled ancient monument that can be accessed from the A70 a short distance south of Ravenstruther.
• Moat Park Heritage Centre, Biggar - contains a series of displays on the area’s Iron Age and Roman histories.