OS1/26/19/78

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 78 TOWN OF PAISLEY

"in the head of Eusdale, to Maul's Mire, at this end where it bordereth this Shire, (Called this day Watline Street * corruptly for Vitellian or Vitellius Street (*Note, the Roman Road here referred to is that from Carlisle to Paisley, Maulsmyre is on the estate of Castlemilk, and not far from Rutherglen, and there the remains of an Ancient Causeway are to be traced) So there are Confirmed vestiges of their having been in this Shire; for at Pasley, there is a large Roman Camp to be Seen. The praetorium or innermost Part of the Camp is on the West end of a rising ground or little hill Called Oakshawhead, on the South-east descent of which Standeth the town of Pasley. The Praetorium is not very large, but hath been Well fortified With three foussees and dykes of earth, which must have been large, when to this day their vestiges are So great that men on horseback will not See over them. The Camp itself hath been great and large, it comprehending the Whole hill. There are Vestiges on the north Side of the foussees and dike, whereby it Appears that the Camp reached to the River Cart. On the North Side, the dike goeth Alongst the foot of the hill; And if we allow it to have gone So far, on the Other Side, it hath enclosed all the Space of ground on which the town of Pasley Stands, And it may be guessed to be About a mile in Compass, Its Situation was both Strong and Pleasant, overlooking the whole Country. I have not heard that any have been So Curious as to dig the ground into the Praetorium; but when they tread upon it, it gives a Sound as if it were hollow below, where belike there are Some of their Vaults, Near to this Camp, About a quarter of a mile, Stands two other rises or little hills, the one to the West, the Other to the South, which, with this, make Almost a triangular form, where have been Stations for the Outer Guards. The Vestiges of these Appear, and make them little larger than the Praetorium of the Other Camp, of the Same form, without Any other fortification than a foussee and dike" ___
Extract from the New Statistical Account of Scotland