OS1/32/11/58
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antoninus' Wall or Graham's Dyke continued | [continued from page 57] -wards received that name. The work consists of an earthen wall and ditch or vallum, and was intended as a line of defence, and also to form the boundary of the empire in Britain. Its whole length is 36½ miles, and extends from Caerriden on the Frith of Forth to Dunglass on the River Clyde. There are few traces of it in the parish, as time and the enterprise of the husbandman, has done much to destroy all marks of it, still it can be traced out in some places especially in the policies of Callendar Park, and Bantaskine. * |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 58Falkirk Ph. [Parish]
* "The first wall was raised by the emperor Hadrian along the line of the nearest chain of forts in the
year 120. The second was executed by Lollius Urbicus, in the reign of Antoninus , along the farthest chain
of forts, in the year 140. From Castle Cary the wall keeps on its usual course, along the slope of the commanding
ground, having the Bonny in front. Near a place called the Dyke something like a small tumulus exists in the ditch; and
farther on faint vestiges on the rampart may be perceived. Having passed through Sebeg Wood, it comes to the house
of that name, situated on the south brink of the ditch; and either here, or at Dick's-house, a little more to the eastward
(which is likewise called Mill-quarter), there hath been a station. From Castle Cary to Sebeg-house is 3300 yards.
The wall having passed Dick's-house, comes to the Chapel-hill, which is a small Castellum, situated on the north
side of the ditch, and surrounded with one of its own. Between this place, and the traces of an old watch tower, near
Elf-hill, according to tradition, Grime, with his Britons, broke through the wall; from which circumstance it might probably
have the name Grime's Dyke. Hence continuing eastward, and crossing Roundtree-burn we come to the station called
Rough castle, which is the last, that is the easternmost now existing on the wall, and distant from Sebeg-house 2860 yards
This station consists of two divisions, whereof the principal one seems to have been that towards the west, as it is surrounded
with triple envelope. The eastern part was probably an addition for lodging a greater body of troops, when, on some
particular emergency, the wall was repaired; and within it some foundations may be seen.
From Rough castle, eastward to Gilmor-seat, and some little way beyond it, is now the most entire part of the
whole wall. Beyond this, opposite to Tamfour-hill, the Roman way leading to Camelon, hath issued from the wall.
The author of the Britannia Romana places this ancient Roman city, on the tract of the wall itself, where there is not
a single vestige to be seen, whereas those of Camelon are very conspicuous three quarters of a mile in front it; which shews
that he could not have examined scrupulously every point himself, but had in some cases trusted to the slight and inaccurate
information of others. From the sortie of the Roman way, the wall continues its direction, and having crossed Tamfour-burn,
ascends the ridge whereon the house of Bantaskin is situated 3430 yards from Rough castle.
From Bantaskin, continuing along the ridge, the wall appears to have passed through the grounds now occupied by the * see page 59
[continued on page 59]
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator, Brenda Pollock
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