Margary 7

Roman Road

Margary 7 is one of the most significant long-distance Roman routes in northern Britain, running from Chester (Deva Victrix) on the Dee all the way to Cramond, near modern-day Edinburgh. It was catalogued as such by Ivan D. Margary in his Roman Roads in Britain, where he gave principal routes a number (in this case, 7) and its branch-sections a letter. This road effectively formed a major north–south artery, linking legionary bases, auxiliary forts, and key crossing points as it advanced into the north of England and southern Scotland.

The road began at Chester, the permanent base of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, before heading east to Manchester (Mamucium) — this first section being 7a. From Manchester, the road continued north to Ribchester (Bremetenacvm Veteranorvm) Roman Fort, a key fort on the River Ribble (7b). The next stage, 7c, carried the route further north through Low Borrow Bridge (near Tebay), strategically placed at the head of the Lune Gorge to guard the passage through the western Pennines. Section 7d then linked Low Borrow Bridge with Brougham (Brocavum) Roman Fort near Penrith, an important junction point where several roads met.

From Brougham, the line (7e) continued northwest to Carlisle (Luguvalium), one of the most important military centres in Roman Britain, guarding the western end of Hadrian’s Wall. The next section, 7f, ran north across the western lowlands to Crawford Roman Fort, where it joined with the route through Clydesdale. Finally, 7g connected Crawford to Cramond Roman Fort, on the Firth of Forth near modern Edinburgh, marking the Roman presence beyond Hadrian’s Wall and close to the Antonine frontier.

This chain of linked routes served both military and logistical purposes. It allowed the movement of troops and supplies between the key legionary base at Chester and the northern frontier zones, while also enabling communication with forts on Hadrian’s Wall and beyond. Its importance is reflected in the fact that it tied together a sequence of forts — Mamucium, Bremetennacum, Brocavum, Luguvalium — that collectively secured the northwestern approaches into Roman Britain.

Sites near Margary 7

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Literary References