EXCLUSIVE: Mapping the ‘most important Roman Road in Scottish history’: Incredible chart reveals the route travelled by historical figures including William the Conqueror and Oliver Cromwell 2,000 years ago

By William On Nov 3, 2023

It has been called “the most important road in Scottish history”, having been used by the likes of Henry VIII, William the Conqueror and Oliver Cromwell.

Now, MailOnline can exclusively reveal where the 2,000-year-old road begins and ends, thanks to a detailed map drawn up after the cobblestone road was discovered in a park near Stirling.

Archaeologists say it was built by the Roman armies of General Julius Agricola in the first century AD, and it could have been connected to a ford across the River Forth.

The route would have been used by many key historical figures in Scottish history and wider British history for military campaigns, given its strategic importance for crossing the River Forth and reaching the Highlands, as well as its proximity to Stirling – Scotland’s former capital.

They included Robert the Bruce and every king and queen of Scotland, as well as the Picts, Vikings and a series of Roman legions in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

REVEALED: It has been called ‘the most important road in Scottish history’, having been used by the likes of Henry VIII, William the Conqueror and Oliver Cromwell. Now, MailOnline can exclusively reveal where the 2,000-year-old road begins and ends (pictured left). Experts say it is likely just a small part of what was a much wider network stretching all the way from Aberdeenshire down to Dover in Kent (right).

History: Archaeologists say the road was built by the Roman armies of General Julius Agricola in the 1st century AD and would have been connected to a ford across the River Forth

Where did the road extend from and to?

The 3.2 ft x 3.2 ft (1 m x 1 m) section of gravel road that has been discovered confirms that this part of the network ran west from Stirling for about nine miles to the village of Don.

It is known that there were a number of Roman camps and a fort nearby.

However, experts say what was confirmed was likely just a small part of a much wider network stretching all the way from Aberdeenshire down to Dover in Kent, a distance of more than 620 miles.

Much of the road network has survived to become modern roads, while other parts of history have been lost.

This discovery helped confirm that the road ran west from Stirling for approximately nine miles to the village of Doon.

However, experts say this was likely just a small part of what was a much wider network stretching all the way from Aberdeenshire down to Dover in Kent, a distance of more than 620 miles.

The map also reveals the location of a number of Roman camps, as well as a Roman fort near what is now Doune Castle.

It was originally built in the 13th century before being damaged in the Wars of Scottish Independence and rebuilt about 100 years later.

The road was discovered during an exploratory excavation in the garden of the Old Inn Cottage, next to the 18th-century Old Drip Bridge, a few miles west of Stirling city centre.

Its excavation was arranged by Stirling Council archaeologist Murray Cook.

He said the road had not been maintained after the Romans left, so what was discovered was a section of eroded surface measuring 3.2 feet by 3.2 feet (1 m x 1 m).

Asked where exactly the road would run to and from, Mr Cook told MailOnline: ‘That’s a difficult question, a lot of the road network has survived to become modern roads but a lot of it has been lost.’

“This piece confirms where it went west of Stirling and we know where it went north of Don.” So, it’s like a huge puzzle with missing pieces.’

He added that the 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 MacAlpine and Robert the Bruce.

“But not Bonnie Prince Charlie, who we know crossed the river at a ford in the fur west of Stirling,” Mr Cook said.

He described the newly discovered road as “the most important road in the history of Scotland.”

“Literally walking where Wallace and Bruce went, not to mention the Romans, Picts and Vikings, is amazing,” Cook said.

“It was also never clear before this discovery where this road was.”

The cottage is a former inn built in the 17th century, and resident Jennifer Orr had no idea the ancient road was buried in her garden until he was approached by archaeologist Murray Cook (pictured). He thought the road might pass through there and arranged for excavation

The cobblestone road was built by the Roman legions of General Julius Agricola in the 1st century and would have been connected to a ford across the River Forth

The road was discovered during an exploratory excavation in the garden of the Old Inn Cottage, next to the 18th-century Old Drip Bridge, a few miles west of Stirling city centre.

“To the south, the road heads towards Falkirk and will eventually take you to England.

“To the north, a crossing will take you over the River Tay and the edge of the Roman Empire.”

The cottage is a former inn built in the 17th century, and resident Jennifer Orr had no idea the old road was buried in her garden until Mr Cook approached her.

Mrs Orr, who lives in the cottage with her family, said: “It’s amazing to think that the likes of William the Conqueror and King Henry VIII would have passed through where our garden is now – not many people can say that.”

“I’ve lived in Stirling most of my life, and you know all the great historic 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 that this discovery highlights.

“I had no idea the road could be there until Murray showed up and asked me about digging in the garden.”

“When the road was found, I couldn’t help but feel excited, especially considering its importance.”

How England spent nearly half a millennium under Roman rule

55 BC – Julius Caesar crossed the Channel with about 10,000 soldiers. They landed at Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of British troops. Caesar was forced to withdraw.

54 BC – Caesar crossed the Channel again in his second attempt to invade Britain. He came with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal but encountered no opposition. They marched inland and after difficult battles defeated the British and the main tribal leaders surrendered.

However, later that year, Caesar had to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left.

54 BC – 43 BC – Although the Romans were not present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.

43 AD – A Roman force of 40,000 soldiers led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and captured the south-east. Emperor Claudius appointed Plautius governor of Britain and returned to Rome.

47 AD – Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman Empire. Road networks were built throughout the country.

50 AD – The Romans arrived in the southwest and left their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the River Exe. A city was established on the site of the fort decades later and was named Isca.

When the Romans allowed and the Saxons ruled, all former Roman cities were called “cester”. This was called “Exe ceaster” and the amalgamation of this eventually gave rise to Exeter.

75-77 AD – The Romans defeated the last of the resisting tribes, making all of Britain Roman. Many Britons began to adopt Roman customs and law.

122 AD – Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a wall between England and Scotland to keep out Scottish tribes.

312 AD – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman Empire.

228 AD – The Romans were attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country began to be recalled to Rome.

410 AD – All Romans were summoned to Rome and Emperor Honorius told the Britons that they no longer had any contact with Rome.

source: History on the network

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