Dalswinton Bankhead Forts I & II

The late-Flavian/Antonine Forts at Dalswinton Bankhead

Pottery sherds recovered from the environs of the Dalswinton Bankhead forts include a piece of Central Gaulish samian Form 37, which has been dated to the Trajanic period, also some South Gaulish decorated wares; a single piece of Form 29 and two (or three) pieces of Form 37, which may be Antonine.

Large Auxiliary Fort (Late-Flavian) Dalswinton Bankhead I

OS National Grid Reference: NX933843
Dimensions: c.600 x 600 ft (c.183 x 183 m)
Area: c.8¼ acres (c.3.3 ha)

Bankhead I: The first fort on this site measured about 600 feet square (183 m²), thus covering an area of about 8¼ acres (c.3.3 ha). There were gateways in the centre of the north-east and south-west defences. An annexe added to the northern half of the north-east rampart exhibited two phases of development.

Large Auxiliary Fort (Antonine?) Dalswinton Bankhead II

OS National Grid Reference: NX933843
Dimensions: c.775 x 600 ft (c.236 x 183 m)
Area: c.10¾ acres (c.4.3 ha)

Bankhead II: The second use of the site saw the north-eastern defences levelled and extended by 175 feet. The resultant fort, plainly oriented to the north-east, covered an area of roughly 10¾ acres (4.3ha). A large annexe measuring around 770 by 350 feet and enclosing 6¼ acres was added along the south-east (235 x 107 m; c.2.5 ha).

References for Dalswinton

  • Air Reconnaissance of North Britain by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. xli 1951 pp.58/9;
  • Roman Britain, 1910-1960 by I.A. Richmond in J.R.S. l (1960) p.183;
  • The Roman Occupations of Scotland by B.R. Hartley in Britannia iii (1972) pp.1-55;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1969-72 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lxiii (1973) p.217;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1973-76 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lxvii (1977) pp.131-3 & fig.5;
  • Roman Britain by Peter Salway (Oxford 1981) p.151;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Roman Britain 1977-1984 by G.S. Maxwell & D.R. Wilson in Britannia xviii (1987) p.27.

Roman Roads near Dalswinton

NW (3) to Barbvrgh Mill NNW (12) to Drvmlanrig (Dumfriesshire) ESE (13) to Ladyward (Dumfries & Galloway) Possible Road: SW (20) to Glenlochar (Dumfries & Galloway) Probable Military Road: SW (20) to Lovcovivm (Glenlochar, Dumfries & Galloway) possible road: E (6) to Mvrder Loch

Sites near Dalswinton Bankhead Forts I & II