Dalginross Temporary Camps

Marching or Temporary Camp

There are two overlapping temporary camps here.  The southernmost camp is well defined, is.a so-called Stracatho style marching camp and is thought to date to the Agricolan campaign of 82-83.   These camps include Dalswinton, Castledykes, Menteith, Dalginross, Ythan Wells, Auchinhove and Inverquharity.  All of them have distinctive double clavicula protuding entryways.  The right clavical projects outward in a straight line, while the left one projects in an arc.  This type entry was first observed at the Stracatho Marching Camp.

Dalginross Camp 1

OS National Grid Reference: NN774208
Dimensions: 1,000 x 960 ft (305 x 293 m)
Area: 23½ acres (9.5 ha)
First recorded by Roy in the late 18th century and reported by him in 1793, this camp possesses Stracathro-type gateways which are indicative of an Agricolan foundation date. A.P.’s taken in 1955 revealed both the clavicula and oblique ditch of the north gate, the clavicula of the south gate and the oblique ditch of the west gate. Other A.P.’s taken in the early-1970’s revealed traces of the tent-lines within the camp’s interior.

Dalginross Camp 2

OS National Grid Reference: NN7720
Dimensions: 585 x 300+ ft (178 x 90+ m)
Area: >4 acres (>1.6 ha)
This small enclosure, first recorded in 1961 and partly obscured by the multiple north-eastern defences of the larger fort, is thought to have been a camp housing the labour force responsible for the construction of the smaller fort.

References for Dalginross Camps

  • Air Reconnaissance of North Britain by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. xli (1951) p.64;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1955-7 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. xlviii (1958) p.92;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1961-64 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lv (1965) p.81;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1965-1968 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lix (1969) p.109;
  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1969-72 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lxiii (1973) p.224;
  • Britannia xxxiii (2002) p.285.

Map References for Dalginross Camps

NGRef: NN7721 OSMap: LR51/52/57

Roman Roads near Dalginross Camps

None identified

Sites near Dalginross Temporary Camps