Glenluce Temporary Camp

Marching or Temporary Camp

Discovered on aerial photographs in 1992, this large, squarish camp lies beside the Water of Luce just south of Glenluce village. Two gateways are recorded in the middle of the NW and SW sides.Despite the absence of any supporting material evidence the Roman temporary marching camp at Glenluce was almost certainly built during the campaigns of governor Agricola sometime around 81AD (see quote above). The fortlet at Gatehouse of Fleet about 28 miles to the east is probably contemporary.

‘In the fifth year of campaigning … he [Agricola] manned with troops that part of the British coast which faces Ireland …’ (Tacitus Agricola XXIV.i-ii)

References for Glenluce Temporary Camp

  • De Vita Julii Agricolae by Cornelius Tacitus, translated by M. Hutton (Harvard, 1970) chap.XXIV, verses.1-2;
  • Britannia xxv (1993) p.281. 

Map References for Glenluce Temporary Camp

NGRef: NX196566 OSMap: LR82

OS National Grid Reference: NX196566
Dimensions: 1,310 x c.1,310 ft (400 x c.400 m)
Area: c.40 acres (c.16 ha)

Roman Roads near Glenluce Temporary Camp

Probable Military Road: WNW (9) to Rerigonivm (Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway) Possible Military Road: ENE (14) to Newton Stewart (Dumfries & Galloway)

Sites near Glenluce Temporary Camp