The ‘most important Roman Road in Scottish history’ is FOUND after 2,000 years: Ancient highway discovered in a garden in Stirling was used by William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and EVERY King and Queen of Scotland
- Road found in garden near Stirling was used by key historical figures
- It was uncovered during an exploratory dig in the garden of the Old Inn Cottage
An ancient Roman Road dubbed the ‘most important in Scottish history’ has been found after 2,000 years.
The road was found in a garden near Stirling, and is said to have been used by key historical figures including William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and every King and Queen of Scotland.
The cobbled road was built by the Roman armies of general Julius Agricola in the first century and would have connected to a ford through the River Forth.
Many of the key historical figures of Scottish and wider British history would have used the road for military campaigns, given its strategic importance for crossing the Forth and reaching the Highlands, as well as its proximity to Stirling – Scotland’s former capital.
It was uncovered during an exploratory dig in the garden of the Old Inn Cottage, next to the 18th century Old Drip Bridge, a few miles west of Stirling city centre.
An ancient Roman Road dubbed the ‘most important in Scottish history’ has been found after 2,000 years
READ MORE: Time Team fan uncovers a huge hoard of Roman coins in a field in North Wales
The cottage is a former drovers inn built in the 17th century, and resident Jennifer Ure had no inkling the ancient road was buried in her garden until approached by Stirling Council archaeologist, Murray Cook, who believed the route may go through there and arranged the dig.
He said: ‘This crossing would have been used by the Romans, the Picts, William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and every King and Queen of Scotland, including MacBeth, Kenneth McAlpin and Robert the Bruce – but not Bonnie Prince Charlie who we know crossed the river at a ford at Frew to the west of Stirling.
‘It is the most important road in Scottish history so it’s an amazing discovery.
‘To literally walk where Wallace and Bruce went, let alone the Romans, Picts and Vikings is astonishing.
‘It has also never been clear before this find where this road ran.
The road was found in a garden near Stirling, and is said to have been used by key historical figures including William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and every King and Queen of Scotland
‘To the south the road heads towards Falkirk and would eventually take you to England.
‘To the north, it would take you a crossing over the Tay and the edge of the Roman Empire.’
Mrs Ure, who lives in the cottage with her family, said: ‘It’s amazing to think the likes of William the Conqueror and King Henry VIII had walked through where our garden is now – not many people can say that.
‘I’m lived in Stirling most of my life, and you know about all the great historical places in the area like Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, but I don’t think people appreciate all the other historical events that took place here which this discovery is bringing to light.
‘I had no idea that the road could have been there until Murray turned up and asked about doing the dig in the garden. When the road was found, I couldn’t help but feel excited especially given its significance.’
Mr Cook led the training dig which involving local volunteers and students.
He said the road was not maintained after the Romans left so what was uncovered is the eroded road surface.
He said: ‘We know that a ford has been recorded here since 1304 when the area was being monitored by Edward I’s spies during the siege of Stirling Castle, when he used the War Wolf, the world’s largest trebuchet.
‘Before the ford here was built, it was likely that the ford at Cambuskenneth was used which is the only place on the Forth that you can cross dry shod.
‘The ford is last recorded in the 18th century when it was replaced first by a ferry and then by a bridge. But all of these are in the same location as it’s more expensive to move the road.’
How England spent almost half a millennium under Roman rule
55BC – Julius Caesar crossed the channel with around 10,000 soldiers. They landed at a Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of Britons. Caesar was forced to withdraw.
54BC – Caesar crossed the channel again in his second attempt to conquer Britain. He came with with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal but were unopposed. They marched inland and after hard battles they defeated the Britons and key tribal leaders surrendered.
However, later that year, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left.
54BC – 43BC – Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.
43AD – A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius appointed Plautius as Governor of Britain and returned to Rome.
47AD – Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman empire. Networks of roads were built across the country.
50AD – Romans arrived in the southwest and made their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the river Exe. A town was created at the site of the fort decades later and names Isca.
When Romans let and Saxons ruled, all ex-Roman towns were called a ‘ceaster’. this was called ‘Exe ceaster’ and a merger of this eventually gave rise to Exeter.
75 – 77AD – Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, making all Britain Roman. Many Britons started adopting Roman customs and law.
122AD – Emperor Hadrian ordered that a wall be built between England and Scotland to keep Scottish tribes out.
312AD – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman empire.
228AD – The Romans were being attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country started to be recalled to Rome.
410AD – All Romans were recalled to Rome and Emperor Honorious told Britons they no longer had a connection to Rome.
Source: History on the net
Source: Read Full Article