Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM2829_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008984)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Stracathro Roman fort and camp, visible as cropmark images on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument was first scheduled in 1969. It is being rescheduled in order to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies about 800m E of Inchbare, on the S side of the West Water, at approximately 45m OD. It comprises a large Roman fort, which was originally one of a series of auxiliary forts screening the Agricolan legionary fortress at Inchtuthill. The fort is defended on the NW and SW sides by two ditches and, on the SE side, by three ditches. The steep river scarp above the bank of the West Water now cuts into the N angle of the fort.

The dimensions of the fort interior (ie. within the ditches) are estimated at c.183m NE-SW by 145m NW-SE, enclosing an area of some 2.6ha. An enclosure measuring c.90m NW-SE by c.60m SW-NE is attached to the southern half of the SW front of the fort, and would appear to be an annexe defended by a single broad ditch. Much of the annexe lies within the area of the temporary camp.

The temporary camp is situated to the SW of the fort and encloses an area of about 15.8ha. It comprises a rectangular parallelogram on plan, measuring c.425m NW-SE by 375m NE-SW (about 15.8ha). Its four clavicular gateways of the distinctive 'Stracathro' type, to which this monument has given its name, combined with its presumed relationship to the adjacent Flavian fort, suggest that it was constructed some time during the campaigns of Julius Agricola in AD 78-84.

In 1957, a section was excavated through the outer ditch on the SE side of the fort. This revealed a typical Roman ditch with a V-shaped profile, 4.27m wide and 2.13m deep. The excavator deduced that the gate on that side, which divides the length in a ratio of two to three, was the main entrance (the 'porta principalis dextra') and that the fort therefore faced NE. In 1969, however, another excavation (undertaken in advance of an extension to the burial ground which lies within the fort) discovered the remains of a possible barrack block, suggesting that the fort faced NW or SE. Finds from the excavations include Samian ware of Flavian date, and a coin of AD 86, of a type known as an 'As', which was in mint condition and identical to coins found at Inchtuthill.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. It is sub-rectangular in plan, with maximum dimensions of c.490m NW-SE by 680m NE-SW, as marked in red on the accompanying map. The buildings of Smiddyhill, the school, the church and graveyard are excluded from the scheduling. The surfaces of the Smiddyhill access road and the trunk roads crossing the site are also excluded to a depth of 20cm, to allow for routine maintenance and re-surfacing.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a Roman fort with associated annexe and temporary camp which has the potential greatly to enhance our understanding of the Roman military presence in Scotland, especially as it comprises different types of defensive structures (a fort, an annexe and a temporary camp). It is of particular interest as one of a group of forts believed to have been constructed during the short-lived occupation in the Flavian period under Agricola. The monument is also of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of the construction of Roman road networks.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.