OS1/9/10/47

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Remains of Fosse or Ditch of R. [Roman] Wall/Continued 024 ; 025 the Bridge over the "Board Burn", & the "Ruin" at "Shirva" where a part of one side of the Fosse, before described, is to be seen. There is not the faintest sign of a hollow to be seen here now. From Wester Shirva to the Fort of "Auchindavy" the track of the Ditch, which is known to have kept close to the south side of the old Steading of "Shirva Dyke", is entirely obliterated; and it is only faintly to be seen, as pointed out by Mr. J. Duncan, from the Fort to where the Forth & Clyde Canal again crosses it. The connection of the Fosse is broken off at one place between "Auchindavy" & the Canal. The well known "Roman Well", of which there is nothing very remarkable in the appearance or depth, stands at the top of the south side of the present form of the Fosse, within the Fort, & near to its north eastern junction with the Wall. Of the Fort of Auchindavy the Caledonia Romana in making mention of the Roman Antiques found here says that, "Among the principal discovery of recent years have been various fragments of Roman Pottery - a deep hollow, containing charcoal & ashes - a deposit of Stone bullets about the size of 24 pound shot, lying many feet under the surface; and a Well of excellent Water, surrounded with masonry, and covered by a Stone slab, over which the soil had accumulated to a considerable depth. All these were found within what was the area of the Station; the Stone bullets had no doubt been at one time deposited beside some of the projectile engines which had stood upon the platform of the rampart; & the Well is, we should say, unquestionably that which had supplied the ancient garrison." At the south west angle of one of the office houses of Auchindavy, within the area of the Fort, there is a stone built into the wall, having the figure of a Roman, about 6 inches in height, cut upon it. The stone is built in with the head downwards. The Continuation of the Fosse after crossing the Canal from "Auchindavy", is again seen on the farm of Eastermains, from which point to Whitehill (Trace 2. 25-2) & from Whitehill to Hillhead (25-2-4), as pointed out by Mr. Gillies & Mr. G. Buchanan, the Remains are just traceable by the faintest hollow varying slightly, in greater depth, at "Eastermains" where, near the Well which stands in the fosse, a Legionary Stone was found - upon the last two authorities quoted, but at what exact place is not known. (See Cal. [Caledonia] Romana P. [Page] 320). To the south of Whitehill a roman Sword was found (at the spot marked on Trace) in what appears to have been the track of the Military Way, judging from its distance off the Ditch, & the Stony or Causewayed appearance which these stones are said to form in the ground. In the field where the Ditch track is again picked up after passing Whitehill, the farmer of Cleddans, on which Farm the field is, filled in the Fosse about two years ago. Previous to this the remains were in good preservation. At Hillhead going westwards to the Fort of Kirkintilloch, better or commonly known as the "Peel" (on 1/500 Scale) the Course of the Ditch takes along the bottom of the gardens close to "Banks" & there are now several wells formed in it, but the hollow is entirely filled in. The track is not again seen until within a short distance of the Park Burn - the By. [Boundary] of the Ph. [Parish] at this part - in the west near "Adamslee" (Trace 4 & 5. 24-8) where, upon the authority of Dr. [Doctor] Stewart & the last three personal authorities quoted in the Column of Authorities, the south side of the Ditch would appear to have been formed out of a natural ridge which [ridge] running westwards from the "Peel", & which is also known as the ridge where a wall stood, terminates at the western By. [Boundary] of the Parish, while the continuation of the Ditch of the Roman Wall may be seen to the west of the By. [Boundary] in Cadder Ph. [Parish], Lanarkshire.

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 47

Co. [County] Dumbarton -- Kirkintilloch Parish

Transcriber's notes

Continued from page 46

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Alison James- Moderator

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