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© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project

Bar Hill

The highest of all the Antonine Wall forts, the fort at Bar Hill has spectacular views in all directions.

Visiting Bar Hill

Facilities at or near this site

  • parking iconParking
  • sculpture iconSculpture

Accessibility

Bar Hill fort lies close to the village of Twechar, accessed from the B8023 Kirkintilloch to Kilsyth road. The site is signposted from the village main street, close to a war memorial. Follow the signs for the John Muir Way to the site.

The site lies 0.5km from Twechar, firstly up an unpaved track and access over a stile. The final stage is across an uneven field on a slopping hillside.

More information

Learn more about the local area on the council’s website.

Council's Website
Visit Scotland

History

Bar Hill fort is unique along the Antonine Wall as it is not directly connected to the line of the wall. Within the fort are traces of an earlier enclosure that was probably a temporary camp occupied during the construction of the Antonine Wall.

Close by is Castle Hill, an Iron Age fort located immediately north-east of the Roman fort and south of the Antonine Wall rampart.

© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project Bar Hill Fort, the remains of the bathhouse. A stone rectangle in the grass. A low stone arch in front. Trees and sky beyond.

© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project

What can I see today?

The fort platform, east gate, and the remains of the headquarters building, and bathhouse are visible today.

Nearby at the Twechar Health Living & Enterprise Centre, is a replica distance slab. This is located close to the original findspot for the Eastermains distance slab.

Reconstruction of Bar Hill Fort

What was found there?

A huge variety of objects have been found at Bar Hill, making it possible to understand more about life on the wall. Numerous objects were found thrown down the well, probably at the time the fort was abandoned. These include shoes from men, women and children, an altar, building columns, wooden beams, part of the pulley of the well, bones, shells and coins.

Childs shoe, Bar Hill

Wheel, Bar Hill

Copper cooking pot, Bar Hill

Where can I learn more?

Find out more about the discovery and investigation of Bar Hill fort.

From training and repairs, to socialising and cooking, discover the life of a soldier stationed on the wall.

Explore 3D models of artefacts discovered on the Antonine Wall.

Explore more sites

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© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project

Croy Hill

© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project