Romans in Scotland | Bar Hill and Rough Castle | Antonine Wall | + Drone Footage!

We finally decided to go down to the Antonine Wall and find out more about the Romans in Scotland. The Antonine Wall was built, mostly from turf, starting in 142 AD and was the Northernmost frontier of the Roman invasion of Britain, stretching from the Firth of Clyde to the Firth of Forth. For reference, Glasgow and Edinburgh are located a little South of this wall. Before that, there was Hadrian’s Wall, begun in 122 AD, which is located in the North of England and can still be visited, since a lot of the stone work has been preserved. When the Romans came up North, they found that Scotland was a much wilder place than England. The Pictish tribes preferred guerillia war tactics over an open military confrontation and would harass and raid the Roman soldiers stationed in Scotland. Eventually, the Antonine Wall was abandoned in 162 AD and the Romans fell back to Hadrian’s Wall. Despite a third invasion in the 3rd Century, they never managed to reclaim and hold the territory between Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall. As a result, the Antonine Wall has deteriorated much quicker (the building method and materials used contributed too), but many Roman forts can still be seen in various degrees of preservation. The first fort we visited is called ‘Bar Hill’, located at 150m above sea level, it is the highest fort along the wall. The stone work is well preserved here and on top of the hill the headquarters can still be seen, including a well which is 43 feet / 13m deep. On the side of the hill are remains of a Roman-style bath house and latrine block, also well preserved with much of the stones remaining. Just a short distance to the East lies an Iron Age style hillfort, called 'Castle Hill', which may have been abandoned when the Romans arrived. It provides a great view over the surrounding area. Next, we decided to visit a fort further to the East, called ‘Rough Castle’. Rough Castle is a secondary fort, a smaller one, which was built in between the 7 main forts after it became clear that there weren’t enough to man the whole wall. The Antonine Wall is 37 miles (60 km) overall and every 2 miles there was a Roman fort or fortlet. Rough Castle is especially interesting for how well the Antonine Wall is preserved here. You can instantly see the landscaping that was done back in the day. There aren’t as many stone remains, as it was mostly built with timber, but there are defensive pits called ‘lilia’ on display, which you don’t see in many other places. Overall, we had a great time exploring the traces of the Romans. I hope you enjoy the video!
Searching for Roman Legionary Fortress Inchtuthil: • Inchtuthil - Searching...
Visiting Fendoch Roman Fort and Signal Station: • Sma' Glen | Dun Mor Hi...
Visiting Roman Forts on the Gask Ridge: • Visiting the Gask Ridg...
Visiting Bochastle Roman Fort (and Dunmore Pictish Fort): • Dunmore Hillfort and B...
Sources:
canmore.org.uk/site/45920/ant...
canmore.org.uk/site/45894/cas...
canmore.org.uk/site/46803/rou...
www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/...
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My name is Elena and I am a creative based in Scotland.
You can support the channel with a donation (and help us pay for fuel for our travels 😉):
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My craft items:
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My partner's hillfort tours and history blog:
www.lowlandheritagetours.com
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Footage and music are my own.
Editing software: shotcut.org
Music software: cakewalk.com / labs.spitfireaudio.com
Camera: Nikon D5300 / Samsung Galaxy Note 9

[@221jono]

nice video Elena, i've been there many times...👍

[@Bart9349]

Beautifully photographed and well narrated. Thank you.

[@Ver-wn6el]

First KZbin video where I've stood where the person filming is. Cool to see people enjoying historic sites so close to home.

[@OnMistyMountains]

The Antonine Wall is pretty impressive, especially at Rough Castle, so it's easier to imagine yourself back in the past. I'm very happy I went to visit it. I definitely think more people should take an interest in this part of history. 😁 Thank you for watching!

[@123edwardzpad]

Really enjoyed this.

[@drrd4127]

@10:21 I can see my hometown in this video 😂🤣😂. I can see my primary School and childhood home 🤣😂🤣. I haven't lived there for 25 years so didn't expect my hometown to pop up in your video.

[@OnMistyMountains]

What a coincidence. 😁 Did you visit the Antonine Wall a lot while you lived there or were you blissfully unaware?

[@zeropointconsciousness]

Our history is so interesting there is the remains of a roman fortlet near me just outside Greenock too.

[@omnipitous4648]

Nice video. I love Roman architecture in England/Scotland.

[@OnMistyMountains]

Thanks! I definitely want to explore more of the Roman stuff, seeing how well preserved it can be. 😊

[@omnipitous4648]

@@OnMistyMountains Hadrians wall is always amazing. It might always be interesting to find Julius Ceasers Landing spot in 55 B.C. North of Dover near Deal.

[@OnMistyMountains]

@@omnipitous4648 I nearly visited Hadrian's wall during a uni trip, but the bus driver got lost and all we got to see was a Roman camp in the end. 😅 Once they open the border, it's definitely a place to consider visiting.

[@ArturBFPV]

Great work. Enjoyed the walk!

[@OnMistyMountains]

Thank you! 😊

[@DomnulFisk1]

Thank you for making this video!

[@OnMistyMountains]

You're very welcome! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@michaelcrainie5520]

Lovely video guys ,we’ll narrated with lots of historical perspectives and insights into the wall and surrounding country..Next time you are back in the area a visit to Croy hill is recommended as this has a fantastic history of Roman occupation and lots of interesting archeology to review. All the best Mick in Cumbernauld

[@OnMistyMountains]

Happy you enjoyed! I remember giving a pass to Croy Hill because of its proximity to Cumbernauld Airport and potentially not being able to use the drone. I think it's right on the border of the no-fly zone. But I'll keep it in mind for future excursions to the Antonine Wall! Thanks for the tip! :)

[@angeloargentieri5605]

Il più grande e glorioso impero della storia, Roma ha conquistato, dominato, costruito e civilizzato, Roma aeterna, Roma invicta, Roma caput mundi ....

[@OakCityGamers]

Wish to visit one day. So cool! Thanks.

[@OnMistyMountains]

You're welcome! 😊

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

Thanks for that from Australia

[@OnMistyMountains]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

@@OnMistyMountains Cheers enjoying it

[@samc705]

The river Carron does not run past Bar Hill, I think you may be confusing it with the river Kelvin, the Carron is to the North in the Kilsyth hills.

[@jazzcats4563]

Love the video, nice too see some Scottish people talking about our history too :,)

[@OnMistyMountains]

Thank you! I should add that I am not Scottish, but my partner is. 😊

[@jazzcats4563]

@@OnMistyMountains went too see rough castle today!! What a mighty monument. Nothing could prepare me for the scale of it in real life!!

[@OnMistyMountains]

@@jazzcats4563 Nice! Yeah, when I saw the massive wall I was also in awe. 😁 It's great that so much of it is preserved there in a proper scale.

[@kyphe.]

Worth noting that the romans never fully pacified the northern Brigantes tribes. Despite taking all the major settlements after a long bloody campaign and forcing the leaders into submission, they still used guerrilla tactics from hidden bases in the Pennine mountains. Without secure supply lines through Brigantes territory the romans could not advance further north without risking being cut off. Part of the reason for Hadrian's wall was to cut off the northern Brigantes from the southern Caledones.

[@OnMistyMountains]

Interesting perspective. Is this based on your own research or has this been suggested by somebody else?

[@dcomea]

Even today in the Italian language the word "Brigante" means: Thug attacking at gunpoint the life and property of others (often as a member of a gang); robber, marauder. Latin is the origin of the Italian language. This proves that the brigantes had a bad reputation among the Romans and were much feared.

[@OnMistyMountains]

@@dcomea That's pretty interesting how these tribes still linger in modern language. e.g. Vandals and vandalism.

[@hardyhadi-zo4nu]

The wall in question was built by quintus lollius urbicus, a governor of Algerian origin from ancient Numidia born in tiddis in Constantine

[@tofgamman]

wait till the end for the best beginning ever

[@dawg4202]

The river Carron isn't in at Barr Hill bud.

[@alanjohnston1199]

It's the Kelvin

[@samc705]

@@alanjohnston1199 Yep I think they're confusing the Kelvin for the Carron.

[@geodezix]

do burnswark

[@OnMistyMountains]

Thanks for the tip! I have marked it on my map for places to go to. It's pretty far from us though, so it'll have to be when we happen to be in the area or if we're doing a road trip.

[@barrytees3849]

It was aba bescause we dn/t like inavder's beter of staying home

[@stelladonaconfredobutler9459]

dear gods. the hand held movement of that camera was annoying and dizzying. had to stop. Try making graphic inserts! couldn't read anssy of the information blocks anyway.

[@OnMistyMountains]

I agree that I should have panned over the information boards slower. Sorry about that!