Peel Park, Kirkintilloch
Peel Park in Kirkintilloch marks the site of a Roman fort on the Antonine Wall.
Visiting Peel Park, Kirkintilloch
Facilities at or near this site
Parking
Toilets
Local cafe
Playpark
Museum
History
Within Peel Park are the visible remains of a later medieval motte, known as the Peel, and the stone Kirkintilloch Castle which were constructed over the remains of the Antonine Wall and part of the fort. During Scotland’s Wars of Independence, the former Roman frontier here was refortified and functioned as a militarised borderland. It swapped hands between Scottish and English forces before the castle was finally destroyed by Robert the Bruce after his victory at Bannockburn in 1314.
© Historic Environment Scotland
What can I see today?
Nothing of the fort is clearly visible on the ground today. However, the site is well worth a visit because of the nearby Auld Kirk Museum and the site’s history of a Roman location refortified in later centuries.
There is a recently installed Roman themed playpark at the site.
Reconstruction of Kirkintilloch Fort
What was found there?
Despite the later use of the site in the medieval period, Roman artefacts have been discovered throughout the area of the fort and beyond. This includes building stones, coins and parts of an amphora. Nearby at Eastermains Farm, two distance slabs have been discovered dedicated by the Sixth Legion and 20th Legion who constructed parts of wall.
Distance slab of the 6th Legion, Kirkintilloch
Distance Slab, Kirkintilloch, Antonine Wall
Fragment of an Amphora, Kirkintilloch.
