The Antonine Wall
HADRIAN’S Wall is often mistakenly regarded as the most northern frontier of the Roman Empire. That accolade in fact belongs to the Antonine Wall, running from Old Kilpatrick in west Dumbartonshire to Carriden, near Bo’ness, on the Firth of Forth.
Its construction in turf and timber began in AD 142 on the orders of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and took 12 years, spanning roughly 63km (39 miles). It was about 3m (10ft) high and 5m (16ft) wide.
A series of forts protected the wall, one of which was at Bearsden. Others were strategically placed every 3.2km (2 miles) including Bishopton, Kirkintilloch, Castlecary and Falkirk. It was abandoned eight years after completion, when the Romans withdrew to the more imposing Hadrian’s Wall. Today, the Antonie Wall is under the care of Historic Scotland and substantial lengths of this remarkable monument can still be seen.
One of the best viewing points is near Bonnybridge, where the line of wall and protective ditch can be seen clearly running for quarter of a mile through Seabegs Wood, to the south of the Forth and Clyde Canal. At this point the ditch is some 12m (40ft) wide, but only around 2m (6-8ft) deep. In places, the rampart survives to a height of just over a metre (4ft).
You can find out more in a permanent exhibition in Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum, which showcases some of the artefacts that have been found at the wall.