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Site of GRIME'S DYKE or ANTONINUS'S WALL |
Wall of Antoninus Pius
Roman Wall - Called Grime's Dyke.
Grime's Dyke or Wall of Antoninus Pius |
Stewart's Caledonia Romana
Genl General Roy's map of the Wall
Chalmers Caledonia |
001 |
The site of the Roman Wall and Road which is now shewn on this Plan. I have insered in accordance with the opinion of the most intelligent in the locality, and also in accordance with the written accounts and maps which have been published hitherto concerning this work particularly those of General Roy and Mr. Stuart, Author of the Caledonia Romana. Although there are but very little Remains existing of the Wall at present, yet from the nature of the ground and the scanty Remains discovered, there is little doubt but that the line now shewn on Plan will differ (if at all) only in very few places from the original. Commencing my enquiry and research at Inveravon, I consulted Mr. Walker the occupier of the Farm at this place, and he states that his Uncle, Mr. Thompson (who was his predecessor in this Farm) dug up a considerable portion of the Roman Road, which had been previously used by him as a Cart Road, the Paving Stones of the Road were removed about 18 years ago; this portion of the Causeway extended from the letter A on plan westward to the Old Tower;- Mr. Thompson was of opinion that at this place, one of the Forts or Stations on the Wall must have stood, and that the Site of the Wall is identical with the present public road from a to b., and from a it ran a little north of the road, and nearly parallel to it, and directly North of the Old Tower, thence taking a South-west direction, as shewn on Plan across the River Avon. It is evident as General Roy remarks that the River has made some encroachments here on its eastern bank, as there is not at present sufficient space for the Site of the Fort so as to place it on the South side of the Wall, where it is probable it may have stood. It is the opinion of Mr. Walker and also the opinion of all the [page torn] consulted that the Old Tower stands within the Site of the Fort, and from the appearance of the ground and from the [page torn] |
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[Page] 1
Sheet No.1 - six Inch Scale Co. [County] Linlithgow
[Date Stamp] ORDNANCE SURVEY M.S. STORE 22 MAY. 95 SOUTHAMPTON
[note in left margin] Note The Wall was evidently built in the year 140 or Commenced there and finished about 144
[note on page] As the precise Sites of the Forts or Military Stations also the Wall within this plan were not well ascertained, Supposed Site of Fort is therefore recommended to be written to each on plan. |
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the bottom right hand corner of the page is torn with some of the words missing in the "description remarks" section. |
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Site of GRIME'S DYKE or ANTONINUS'S WALL |
Wall of Antoninus Pius
Roman Wall - Called Grime's Dyke.
Grime's Dyke or Wall of Antoninus Pius |
Stewart's Caledonia Romana
Genl General Roy's map of the Wall
Chalmers Caledonia |
001 |
of the Road going directly into the Tower, the Wall must have been immediately North of it. But as there have been no Remains found, nor any appearance to indicate where the Wall crossed the Avon, judging from the appearance of the ground and the shallowness of the River, it is generally believed to have crossed at a point which is fordable, as now shewn on Plan. Proceeding Eastward, some large Stones were dug up when the Slamannan and Borrowstouness Railway was being constructed; Mr. Alexander Kirkwood of the Farm of Hainnings states that he saw these large stones dug out of the Railway cutting, where the Site of the Wall is now shewn crossing it. Continuing still Eastward towards Kinniel:- from c to d, a portion of the Roman Road was dug up here, about 40 years since, by the Farmer of Nether Kinniel Mr Robert Learmonth, and he states that, immediately facing his Farm House, several yards of the Pavement still remains untouched, about 18 inches beneath the surface of the field, and is quite perfect, between 15 and 20 feet wide, he describes it as being constructed with large and small stones (whinstone and freestone), with well defined edges, composed of curb-stones, nearly of equal size.- Some Remains of the Wall are pointed out a little South of Kinneil House, where it crossed a Burn, these Remains consist of some slight traces of mason work, conjectured to be the remains of the bridge over which the Wall crossed the Burn. Proceeding thence to Dean, at c, whilst the gardener William Luck was constructing a Park at this spot about 2 years ago, having occasion to make some excavation; about 3 feet beneath the surface, he came upon what seemed to be a rudely constructed Wall, consisting of very large stones and earth, and having excavated to the depth of 12 feet, he did not come to the foundation, several gentlemen who came to see it from Edinburgh, Glasgow. Falkirk, and other places, were all of opinion that it was the Remains of the Rampart. About the same time that the above Remains were discovered the gardener had also occasion (in constructing a Bowling Green) to clear away the surface, a little South of the house of Dean, where he discovered a considerable extent of Pavement, made mostly with small stones ,(having a mixture of sand and gravel worked among them) the surface of which appeared to have been much worn away, [page torn] for a Roadway; but surpassing in width the ordinary breadth of the Roman Causeway; being about 40 feet [page torn] ; and this, being about the distance on the Wall from Inveravon, where another Fort might be expected to have |
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[Page] 2
[continued from previous page] |
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he bottom left hand corner of the page is torn with some of the words missing in the "description remarks" section. |
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Site of GRIME'S DYKE or ANTONINUS'S WALL |
Wall of Antoninus Pius
Roman Wall - Called Grime's Dyke.
Grime's Dyke or Wall of Antoninus Pius |
Stewart's Caledonia
Romana Genl General Roy's map of the Wall
Chalmers Caledonia |
001 |
stood, and also, the nature of the ground here, being favorable to that supposition; (being the only elevated spot in this neighbourhood from which could be seen the Fort at Inveravon, also the one supposed to have stood at Carriden,)
I have, in accordance with the opinions of the authorities quoted, marked on Plan. this place as being the Supposed Site of Fort. Proceeding from Dean, in direction of Carriden, at the spot marked f., another portion of the Wall was discovered, (about 3 feet below the surface), 25 years ago: this was seen by the Revd [Reverend] Mr. McKenzie, Minister of Bo'ness, and Mr KcKinlay, late Collector of Excise, but not residing near Leith, who at that time lived in the vicinity of Bo'ness: I consulted both these Gentlemen: The portion of the road west of GrahamsdyKe, (colored red at g) is generally belived to contain some Remains of the Wall, it is 16 or 17 feet wide, and raised above the surrounding surface about 3 feet, some of the large stones which appear to have formed the foundation of the Rampart are still to be seen along the side of this portion of the road. Revd [Reverend] Mr. McKenzie, Mr. McKinlay, Henry Cadell Esqr. Grange House, and Revd. Mr. Fleming Minister of Carriden, speak positively of this, as being the Remains of the Wall. A few chains to the east of Grahamsdyke is Deacon's Stone, and Site of Tumulus supposed by the above named gentlemen to have been part of the Wall, where it formed an angle or bend to the South East. Thence to Carriden House, there have been no Remains found within the memory of the present generation. Near to Carriden House at the Letter h. a sculptured stone was found some years ago, when digging up the trunk and roots of a large tree: this spot is considered by the authorities just quoted, to have been the termination of the Wall. Mr. Davidson, the Steward for Admiral Hope of Carriden House says that the sculptured stone was thrown aside for a long time, and at length was lost. All Antiquarians concur in the supposition that a Military Post or Fort stood somewhere in the vicinity of Carriden House, the place marked on Plan appears to be the most likely situation for such a work; it is a portion of elevated ground from which a good view can be obtained;- the Fort which is supposed to have stood at Dean, can be plainly seen from this Post, and the circumstances of a considerable portion of the Causeway having been dug up in a large Park direct East of Carriden House between the letters j and k, point to this spot as the probable site of the Fort. A portion of pavement supposed to have been |
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[Page] 3
[Date Stamp] ORDNANCE SURVEY M.S. STORE 20 MAY 95 SOUTHAMPTON
[continued from previous page] |
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Site of GRIME'S DYKE or ANTONINUS'S WALL |
Wall of Antoninus Pius
Roman Wall - Called Grime's Dyke.
Grime's Dyke or Wall of Antoninus Pius |
Stewart's Caledonia Romana
Genl General Roy's map of the Wall
Chalmers Caledonia |
001 |
part of the Fort was dug up at the letter i, within the last 5 or 6 years. On the West Side, and close to the Outbuildings belonging to Carriden House, runs a Burn through a deep Ravine, extending to the Sea:- by referring to the Plan, it will be seen that the supposed site of the Roman Road is shewn as running to the South of the Outbuilding presuming that the Road would seem in that direction to avoid the Ravine; this of course is only supposition, for it is just as likely to have been made straight from the Fort to Drum, as for it to maKe a detour; but the appearance of the ground favors the supposition of its running South of the Houses. In inserting the Site of the Wall and Road, where no Traces were found to guide me, I have been mostly guided by the opinions of the following Gentlemen & Farmers &c. all of whom I called upon and saw personally. William Walker Esq. of Inveravon; Dr. Walker, a gentleman who lived many years at Inveravon with the late Mr Thompson, and who is at present living with Mr. Walker;- Alexander KirKwood, Farmer, Hainnings:- Robert Learmonth. Farmer Nether Kinneil. William Luck, Gardener to Captain Wilson of the Dean, Revd Mr. McKenzie Minister Established Church Borrowstounness. Henry Cadell Esq. Grange House. Revd Mr. Fleming. Minister, Established Church Carriden, James Cruickshanks, Burnfoot;- William Davidson, Carriden House. Mr.McKinlay, Bonnington; by Leith, who resided many years near Bo'ness as Collector of Customs.- I have been influenced also by the situation and general appearance of the ground:- as it has been observed throughout the whole course of the Wall of Antoninus Pius, from KirKpatrick to Carriden, to have been constructed on the Northern Slopes of the Hills or Declivities that commanded a view to the North, from which the enemy would make the attack, and besides, rendered the construction of the ditch and Rampart easier. The Forts were also built with a view to system as appears from General Roy's observations, see Roy's Military Antiquities page 154. |
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[Page] 4
[continued from previous page]
[signed] C.N. Martin Capt. R.E. [Captain Royal Engineers]
[signed] Robert J. Winkup 2nd Cor. R E. [Corporal Royal Engineers]
3rd. May 1859 |
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[Page] 5
[Volume] 69
OS1/34/69
[Date Stamp]
NAME BOOK
SHEET / PLAN
Grime's Dyke or Antoninus's Wall, (Site of)
(1859)
Co. [County] Linlithgow |
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