Description

This monument is a section of the Antonine Wall which runs from a field boundary 200m NE of Elf Hill, east of Bonnyside House, to a field boundary immediately E of the fort annexe. It includes the upstanding remains of the best-preserved of all the Antonine Wall forts.

This proposal forms part of a programme which is intended to update the scheduling of the Antonine Wall, and extends the protected area along this part of the line of the Wall.

The Antonine Wall at this location is very well-preserved and consists of upstanding remains of the the rampart, the ditch, the berm (area between rampart and ditch) and the upcast mound. Just to the W of the access point for motor vehicles, there is an expansion on the south side of the rampart, measuring approximately 10m E-W by 7m N-S. Expansions are turf platforms on a stone base which were built against the southern side of the Antonine Wall rampart, and which appear to occur in pairs close to forts. There is a second expansion 300m to the W in the grounds of Bonnyside House, and a second pair to the E of Rough Castle. Expansions are thought to have been used for watchtowers or signalling posts. The Military Way, along with its flanking quarry pits is clearly visible.

The fort at Rough Castle is the best-preserved of all the Antonine Wall forts, and the ramparts and ditches of the fort and its eastern annexe survive in good condition. The fort is enclosed within two ditches and the annexe has a single ditch to the S and three to the E. To the NW of the causeway across the Antonine Wall ditch into the fort there is a series of 10 rows of defensive pits. Excavations were carried out in 1902-3, the 1930s and 1950s; these located buildings inside the fort, including the commanding officer's house, headquarters building and a granary, with a bathhouse in the annexe.

The area to be scheduled includes the Antonine Wall rampart, berm, ditch and upcast mound, the fort and its associated ditches, the Military Way and an area to the N and S where traces of activities associated with the construction and use of the monument may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract. The scheduled area is defined by existing field boundaries on the W, S, E and NE, with the exception of an area to the N of the Antonine Wall W of the Rowan Tree Burn where all or part of the upcast mound lies beyond existing fence lines, and an area 10m to the N of the N edge of the upcast mound is scheduled. The top 50cm of the access track and car park lying within the scheduled area is excluded from the scheduling to enable the top surface to be altered without a requirement to obtain written consent. The above ground portions of the electricity pylons within the scheduled area are also excluded from the scheduling.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a major Roman frontier system which has the potential to increase considerably our understanding of Roman frontier policy and military organisation. The Antonine Wall is also the most substantial and important Roman monument in Scotland. Most of the area in question is in the care of Historic Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NS87NW 6.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Antonine Wall - Rough Castle
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/antonine-wall-rough-castle
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland