© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project

Castlecary

The site of a Roman fort and annexe can be visited at Castlecary.

Visiting Castlecary

Facilities at or near this site

Parking

Accessibility

The site can be accessed from the village of Castlecary. Take a minor road marked ‘Walton’ which runs south from the Bonnybridge to Castlecary road B816. Park in a cul-de-sac left off Walton Road, close to the former schoolhouse (now residential). The site of the fort is marked by a clump of trees. The route is tarmac path then a grassy field which may be uneven.

More information

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

Council's Website

Find out more about visiting here at Visit Scotland.

Visit Scotland

History

The fort at Castlecary is one of the largest forts and only one of two forts along the wall to have featured stone ramparts. It was built before the wall reached the site so is widely considered to be one of the first forts constructed. A range of inscriptions and sculptures indicate the presence of soldiers from two Roman legions and three auxiliary units at the fort.

Today, the fort is bisected by the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line, which enters the fort at its south-east corner and exits just south of the fort’s west gateway.

© Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project
Castlecary fort site, a green field with low mounds on either side of a ditch. A white horse stands on the brow of the hill.

What can I see today?

Visible remains include: a low mound and portions of exposed stonework from the fort’s east rampart; small portions of the headquarters building near a cluster of trees within the centre of the fort; and, depending on the current height of grass, traces of stonework at the north gate.

What was found there?

A wealth of artefacts has been found at Castlecary fort. This includes a number of altars and statues, leather shoes, and large quantities of grain. A bronze lion head mount was also discovered.