Black Hill Roman Camps
Black Hill is one of several marching camps built by the Romans as they moved north during their re‑conquest of Scotland between AD 208 and 211.
Emperor Septimius Severus and his son Caracalla led more than 30,000 soldiers north of Hadrian’s Wall to defeat the Caledonian tribes. It was the largest army ever to invade Scotland.
After Severus died in 211, Caracalla ended the campaign. It was the last time the Romans would push so far into Caledonia.
The 53‑hectare camp at Black Hill was a temporary base that sheltered the army as it advanced. Other Roman remains in the area include the remains of several smaller camps, a watchtower and one of the best preserved Roman earthwork forts at nearby Ardoch.
The marching camps were probably completed in as little as a single afternoon, showing the remarkable efficiency of Roman troops. Within a few days, having stripped the surrounding area of resources, the army moved on.
Statement of Significance
You can find out more about Black Hill Roman Camps in our Ardoch Statement of Significance, part of a series of special documents outlining the history and development of Historic Scotland sites.
Discover more on trove.scot
See archive photographs of Black Hill Roman Camps, plus archaeology notes and more.
