Site Report

WoSASPIN 7662
NS46NW 17 centred 4135 6904.

(NS 4135 6904) The remains of a Roman fort are situated on the summit of Barochan Hill at 200ft OD, partly in scrubby woodland and partly in arable land. Rectangular on plan and measuring about 168m E-W by 96m N-S, it faces E with a gateway in the centre of that side. Trial excavations revealed two pits close to the S rampart, one (rectangular) for puddling clay; the other (circular), a slow oven for firing bricks. These bricks were built along the edge of the heavy foundations of a central building. The fort defences comprise a single stony rampart spread to about 10m, but with no outlying ditches - only a palisade trench at the SE angle which can be seen to be developing into a ditch in the E field.
Information from F Newall letter to R W Feachem, 30 September 1972.

In 1953 a piece of (? 1st century AD) glass bead was picked up by R W Feachem on the site, and donated to the NMAS in 1958 (Acc No: FR 668). (See NS46NW 4 - Roman patera found nearby).
A S Robertson 1970

Exploration of the S side of a defended enclosure whose W, N and E sides had been detected from air photographs showed to be a Roman fort of circa 1.3 hectares (3.2 acres). The S rampart was of turf and clay fronted by a palisade trench. Location of two internal buildings would indicate that the fort faced W. The date of construction was given by Agricolan pottery recovered from a tile kiln and puddling pit.
D R Wilson 1973; F Newall and A Hallifax-Crawford 1972

Photographed from the air by RCAHMS in 1977.

A fragment of a Samian bowl was found in the SE corner of the fort.
F Newall and W Lonie 1979
Work continued at the West Gate. The street inside this was 3.6m wide. Both north and south of the gate burnt material behind the rampart, overlaid by burnt red clay suggested use of these areas for ovens.
North of the gate two large pits, belonging probably to the construction phase, suggested by their contents that tile-making may have been undertaken nearby. Flavian date of the fort is confirmed.
S S Frere 1987.
The eastern half of the fort and all of the annexe have been ploughed for the first time since 1988, having been in 'set aside' for five years; barley has been planted. Fieldwalking revealed no Roman small finds, but burnt clay and charcoal were observed immediately behind the N rampart of the fort, and close to its NE corner.
L J F Keppie and M J Robb 1993.


The monument comprises the remains of a Roman fort dating to the late 1st century AD, with an associated annexe. The monument survives mainly as buried features visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The monument occupies the summit of Barochan Hill, at a height of approximately 70m above sea level, with views towards the River Clyde around 4km to the N. The monument was first scheduled in 1973, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present amendment rectifies this.

The rectangular fort measures approximately 168m from E- W by 96m transversely, enclosing an area of around 1.4 hectares. The fort is orientated WSW-ENE with the main entrance on the W side. Part of a bank is still visible on the NW side. Attached to the E side of the fort is a near square annexe with sides measuring approximately 65m, enclosing an area of 0.4 hectares. Limited archaeological investigations have revealed the remains of buildings, ditches and ramparts and have recovered a significant assemblage of artefacts. The evidence indicates that the fort was built around AD 79-80 and occupied probably for little more than a decade.

The scheduled area is an irregular polygon on plan to include the remains described above and an area around them in which evidence for the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive. The scheduled area specifically excludes the above-ground elements of all boundary features to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance
The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the Roman military advance into Scotland and the form and function of Roman forts. Excavations have confirmed that Barochan is a well-preserved example of a Flavian period Roman fort, probably associated with the campaigns of governor Agricola. Limited archaeological excavations have demonstrated the presence of important buried structures and artefacts, which can enhance our understanding of the construction and use of this fort. The fort occupied a strategically significant location on the S bank of the Clyde and was an important component of a network of Roman forts built between the Forth and Clyde: these formed an effective boundary controlling access and movement across central Scotland. The loss of Barochan Hill Roman fort would significantly impede our ability to understand the campaigns of the Roman army in Scotland during the 1st century AD.
Information derived from Historic Environment Scotland scheduling document, 04/02/16