Torwood Camp

Marching or Temporary Camp

Discovered by the great antiquarian Roy in 1769 on heathland NW of Fairholm, parts of this camp have been incorporated into field boundaries. The Roman defences are best observed at the NW angle where the rampart survives as a mound 14 feet across. The two titulus outworks noted by Roy on the W now lie in a plantation; they were clearly visible in the 1950’s. The north side of the camp was clearly visible for the first time from the air as crop-marks during the early-1960’s, when it was discerned that there was a slight change of alignment at a centrally-placed gateway on this side.

The Ladyward fort lies a little way to the north-west (NY1182), and there is another marching camp beyond at Lochmaben (NY0982).

References for Torwood Camp

  • Air Reconnaissance of North Britain by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. xli (1951) p.58;
  • The Roman Occupation of South-Western Scotland by the Glasgow Archaeological Society (1952) p.101;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1961-64 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lv (1965) p.79.

Map References for Torwood Camp

NGRef: NY1281 OSMap: LR78

OS National Grid Reference: NY120818
Dimensions: c.1,550 x 1,000 ft (472 x 305 m)
Area: 35½ acres (14.7 ha)

Roman Roads near Torwood Camp

None identified

Sites near Torwood Camp