Carlops Camp

Marching or Temporary Camp

Discovered on aerial photographs in 1984, this large camp is aligned NE-SW and is defined by a ditch a maximum of 9 ft. wide by 3 ft. deep (c.2.8 x 1 m). Its size is comparable to that of the camp at Kirkhouse, which lies about a day’s march to SW. Other A.P.’s taken in 1996 revealed an annexe attached to the north defences measuring about 330 by 200 ft. and enclosing an area of about 1½ acres (c.100 x 60 m, 0.6 ha). There are indications that the camp was altered by the building of two cross-ditches at either end, reducing the occupation area to about 30¾ acres (12.5). The camp is crossed by one of the main Roman military highways through eastern Scotland, and must be dated prior to it’s construction, probably during the initial campaigns into Scotland by the governor Julius Agricola.

References for Carlops Camp

  • Britannia xvii (1985) p.371;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Roman Britain 1977-1984 by G.S. Maxwell & D.R. Wilson in Britannia xviii (1987) pp.32/3;
  • Britannia xxviii (1997) p.408 & fig.7 p.409.

Map References for Carlops Camp

NGRef: NT1757 OSMap: LR65/66/72

OS National Grid Reference: NT171572
Dimensions: 2,130 x 835 ft (650 x 255 m)
Area: 40¾ acres (16.5 ha)

Roman Roads near Carlops Camp

NE (10) to Elginhavgh (Lothian) SW (9) to Kirkhovse (Strathclyde) SW (4.5) to Slipperfield

Sites near Carlops Camp