Balnagieth Camp

Only partly recorded, this camp lies on the east bank of the River Findhorn just west of Forres. The enclosure is defined by a V-shaped ditch approximately 10 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep (c.3.0 x 1.2 m) with a square cleaning-slot at its base. It is possible that the camp was possessed of six-post corner-towers and that the front of the rampart was revetted in timber, which would suggest a more permanent encampment.

Three trenches were cut and excavated by Barry Jones in 1989 to investigate the north and west sides, and northwest corner, of an enclosure visible as a crop mark on aerial photographs. Ground penetrating radar was carried out to determine the extent of the enclosure and identified two other features. One was a section of ditch across the entrance to the enclosure suggested to represent the remains of a titulum. The second was a ditched feature at right angles to the entrance. South of the entrance radar survey detected further length of enclosure ditch curving towards a presumed southwest corner. The enclosure is suggested to be a Roman camp, originally up to 2.4 hectares, on the bases of its plan, possible titulum and ditch profile.

OS National Grid Reference: NJ02465781

Dimensions: 767 x 230+ ft (234 x 70+ m)

Area: c.10 acres? (c.4 ha?)