OS1/9/14/68
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remains of WALL OF ANTONINUS (Continued) | Remains of Fosse or Ditch of Roman Wall Continued | [continued from page 67] that the traces of the outer side are very faint. The same thing may be noticed on Hutcheson Hill, and in the field to the east of "Ferguston Muir". (6-23.12), where the Wall ran along the top or brow of a ridge. From Thorn to Ferguston Muir, as pointed out by the Revd Dr. [Reverend Doctor] Sym, passing the village of Kilpatrick & the Fort there the track of the Fosse is easily followed except where a house or other enclosed part of N. [New] Kilpatrick village has been placed on the line of wall, defacing completely the hollow for a short distance. Immediately to the east of Thorn in a field, and upon the inner or south side of the hollow, there are two distinct appearances; the upper or short steep bank represented appearing to be the mingling of the wall of earth with the side of the Ditch; the under sloping or fall being exactly of the same depth as the opposite side of the great Ditch. No opinion has been given of this part by the authorities quoted. There seems to be naturally a ridge on the inner side of the part described not much broader than the breadth the wall occupied, but in no other part of the Fosse in the Parish, is there anything more easily seen. Both slopes described appearing to be distinct from one another. This part is ploughed over. Passing the top - the north of the station at N. [New] Kilpatrick, along the top of a steep bank falling to the Burn below (before described) the continuation of one side of the Ditch is well preserved, but eastwards from the Fort to the Farm house of Ferguston (2-23-16) the hollow is lost for a short distance. The course of the Burn north of the Station appears to be partly formed in the Fosse going eastwards to Ferguston. From the last traces seen of the hollow to the east of the fort to the south side (this supposed south side is very unnatural in form probably from filling in the Ditch) which remains in front of Ferguston Steading, the track is lost, but as stated by Mr Burnside, the Farmer, great quantities of stones, which may be seen on the roadside, are taken out of a spot where the curve of the Fosse would cross the Ph. [Parish] Road into the field in which the Steading of Ferguston stands. The Ph. [Parish] Road through the Fort is said to be on the line of the Military Way. It is known as the Causeway to the older inhabitants as far west as "Ledcameroch" (Trace 3.23-15, See N.S. [Name Sheet] of M. [Military] Way) "Tradition", says the Cal. [Caledonia] Romana "(P. [Page] 308) points to a spot in the vicinity" (of the Fort of N. [New] Kilpatrick) "called the Bears Den as the burial place of the Roman Garrison". This is generally known & believed by the Revd. Dr. [Reverend Doctor] Sym to be in this case correct, but nothing more than this can be said as nothing has been found to corroborate the tradition. The name "Bearsden" is applicable to Cothouses (1.23-16). After crossing the T.P. [Turn Pike] Road near Ferguston (better known as the "Milngavie Road" here) the fosse is deeper on the south side in ascending the hill to "Ferguston Muir" than at any other place in the Parish. While making a cutting for the Loch Katrine Water Pipes about two Years ago (1858) a causeway or foundation similar to such, as stated by Mr. Cole Inspector of Water Pipes, was found in the track of the great Ditch close to the east side of the T.P. [Turn Pike] Road, in the arable ground. In the Muir (Ferguston Muir) part of the Rampart or Wall with the Ditch in excellent preservation may be seen. (See descript. [description] of this part in the beginning on the other side). The old road to the south of the Wall in Ferguston Muir is understood to be on the Military Way, but its actual or even probable extent is very indefinite. From Ferguston Muir to the Farm of "Temple of Boclair" as pointed out by Mr. A Russell of Boclair & A McLachlan of the Temple, the course of the Wall is easily traced, the hollow of the Ditch, or the south side of it in the field adjoining the Muir being, as before described, very plain. It ran upon a ridge in this field. After crossing the Ph. [Parish] Road between the last points described, the hollow is generally faint and has formed in it fences & dykes for the divisions of fields. Considerable turns are made here which is verified by the Cal. [Caledonia] Romana (P. [Page] 311) which says "the course of the Wall took considerable turns in order to keep the high grounds, especially that commanding height which overlooks a place called the Temple, & to avoid as much as possible what must anciently have been the marshy hollows round Millochan Farm". After turning the high point which is a small wood near the Trigl. [Trigonometrical] Station (Trace 4.24-9) the hollow track is unconnected more between this & the Kelvin than at any other part of the Parish. The portion between the T.P. [Turn Pike] Road & "Summerston" (6.24-9), as pointed out by Mr. Graham & Mr McLachlan, is well seen. The Wall is known to have passed through Summerston Steading but no more Traces can be shewn than appears on the Trace. From Summerston to the Kelvin as pointed out by Mr. Graham & Messrs. Scott & McFarlane of Balmuildy Farms on the Lanark side of the river, the hollow of the Ditch is seen at intervals very faintly until it approaches near to the river side where it is somewhat better defined. This is the last point in New Kilpatrick Ph. [Parish] where the hollow of the Fosse or Ditch of the Roman Wall is seen going in direction of the Fort of Balmuildy in Cadder Ph. [Parish] Lanarkshire. The point shewn where the Wall crossed the Kelvin to the Fort of Balmuildy is only a site, nothing is to be seen close to the rivers edge on either side. That shewn on Trace in red as the point of crossing would give a very unusual turn to the Wall. The traces of the Fort on the opposite side are obliterated - Nothing is known of the site of the Military Way from Ferguston Muir to Balmuildy & Summerston. |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 68Co [County] Dumbarton & Stirling -- New Kilpatrick Parish
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Alison James- Moderator, Jim-B
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