Documents

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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

  Legal Documents for Barochan Hill,Roman fort (SM3318)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600001737)

Summary

Description

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, as shown in red on the accompanying map. 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.

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.