Site Name: East Millichen
Alternative Name(s):
Monument Type: Roman Distance Slab
Council: Glasgow City
Parish: New Kilpatrick
Map Sheet: NS57SE
Grid Reference: 257850, 672151
Canmore Number: 44473
Non-Statutory Register Code: F
WoSASPIN 8926
NS57SE 1 57 72.
A Roman distance slab was found in 1803 when forming a deep ditch on Low Millochan (now East Millichen) farm (NS 573 720) Stuart gives its findspot as about 100 yds from the Antonine Wall where it begins to ascend the height called "The Temple", and very near the farmhouse. The fact that the slab was dug up so far S of the rampart is enough to show that it had been moved from its original position, but Stuart's description is too vague to enable the exact find spot to be located (Macdonald 1934). It is almost certain, however, that it and the Summerston slab (NS57SE 2) had probably stood beside one another, near Summerston farm (NS 578 721), each slab describing different lengths built by different legions.
The slab, which is now in Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, (information from A S Robertson to OS, 1951) measures 4'9" x 2'5 1/2" and duplicates the design of that found at Castlehill (NS57SW 10). Its inscription reads: "IMP.CAES.T.AELIO.HADRIA.ANTONINO.AVG.PIO.P.P.VEXILLA.LEG. VI.VIC.P.F.PER.M.P.IIIDCLXVIS".
G Macdonald 1934; R Stuart 1852; Visited by OS (W M J) 14 August 1951.
Macdonald, G , The Roman wall in Scotland. Oxford.(1934)
Keppie, L , Roman distance slabs from the Antonone Wall: a brief guide. Glasgow.(1979)
Keppie, L J F , 'The distance slabs from the Antonine Wall: some problems', Scot Archaeol Forum, Vol 7, 1975, pp.57-66.(1976)
Hanson and Maxwell, W S and G S , Rome's north west frontier: The Antonine Wall. Edinburgh.(1983)
Collingwood and Wright, R G and R P , The Roman inscriptions of Britain. Vol 1, Oxford.(1965)
Stuart, R , Caledonia Romana. Edinburgh.(1852)