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The lilia at Rough Castle, rows of grassy defensive pits, some holding water, under bare spring trees.
Stirlingshire

Rough Castle Roman Fort

The best-preserved fort on the Antonine Wall, east of Bonnybridge, with the tallest stretch of its rampart and rows of Roman defensive pits.

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Welcome

For a feel of what the Romans built across Scotland, nowhere on the Antonine Wall shows more than Rough Castle.

The Romans began their wall from the Forth to the Clyde around AD 142, and this small fort east of Bonnybridge is the best preserved of all the forts along it. It's all grass and earthworks now, but the shapes are easy to read once you're standing in them. There's the deep ditch of the wall, the tallest stretch of its turf rampart still standing, and the banks and gateways of the fort and its annexe. Just north of the wall are the lilia, rows of defensive pits that are among the best-preserved examples of their kind. The fort was home to the Sixth Cohort of Nervians, whose inscription was found in its headquarters building. Since 2008 the wall has been part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site. A lovely way in is the signposted path up from the Falkirk Wheel, about fifteen minutes on foot, so you can finish with a coffee in the Wheel's café.

A short drive awayThe Fork & MustardA family-run café on Glebe Street in Falkirk, making its comfort food, cakes and baking in its own kitchen.7 min by roadSee itFried eggs on smashed avocado toast with tomatoes on a blue plate.
Before you go

Open at any time, all year.

Where
East of Bonnybridge, on the hill above the Falkirk Wheel, FK4 2AA.
Getting there
Signposted at Bonnybridge, along a quiet side road from the B816 between Bonnybridge and High Bonnybridge, to a small car park at the end. Or park at the Falkirk Wheel and follow the signposted path up from the visitor centre, about fifteen minutes on foot.
Toilets and food
At the Falkirk Wheel visitor centre, with its café.

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Where it is

East of Bonnybridge, on the hill above the Falkirk Wheel, FK4 2AA.

Close byFalkirk and Stirling.
  1. The Falkirk WheelThe Falkirk WheelThe world's only rotating boat lift, lifting boats 35 metres between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.2 miles 5 min by road
  2. The KelpiesThe KelpiesAndy Scott's two 30-metre steel horse heads beside the canal at Falkirk, the largest equine sculptures in the world.6 miles 15 min by road
  3. A tall white flagpole rises from a grass mound encircled by a low stone wall, bare trees lining the path beside it.BannockburnThe field where Robert the Bruce won in 1314, with his bronze statue, the rotunda and a view to Stirling Castle; grounds open daily.9 miles 19 min by road
  4. The PineappleThe PineappleA stone pineapple of 1761 on a garden summerhouse near Airth, called the most bizarre building in Scotland; grounds open daily.11 miles 20 min by road
  5. Stirling CastleStirling CastleThe great royal castle on its crag above Stirling, where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned, with the Great Hall and the Royal Palace.14 miles 25 min by road
  6. Wallace Monument tower rising above snow-covered trees and hills near StirlingWallace MonumentThe tall Victorian tower on the Abbey Craig above Stirling, with the Wallace Sword inside and a view from the Crown after 246 steps.14 miles 25 min by road
Directions
AttractionsRosebank Distillery2.4 miles
Fried eggs on smashed avocado toast with tomatoes on a blue plate.RestaurantsThe Fork & Mustard3.2 miles
CafeThe Milk Barn4.1 miles
A long wooden footbridge on trestles crossing the River Carron, the water running fast over boulders below.WalksCarron Glen5.2 miles
Bags of coffee beside a lightbox sign reading #TheBuffetBox Cafe.CafeThe Buffet Box5.5 miles
The ruined drystone walls of Tappoch Broch on its heathery hilltop in the Tor Wood, Scots pines round it and farmland and hills far off under a blue sky.AttractionsTappoch Broch6.0 miles
The roofless front of Plean House, its windows empty and its doorway pillared, behind a wire fence, with benches and a lawn in front.WalksPlean Country Park7.7 miles
The bar at the Swan, a silver swan on a slate wall behind the taps, with green velvet stools in front.BarsThe Swan, Banton7.8 miles
Colzium House from the air in spring, its grey stone front among lawns, conifers and woods at the east end of Kilsyth.AttractionsColzium-Lennox Estate9.3 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the fort, and when each is next free.

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