Ochtertyre
Temporary Camp (Roman)
Site Name Ochtertyre
Classification Temporary Camp (Roman)
Canmore ID 46101
Site Number NS79NW 51
NGR NS 74617 98219
NGR Description Centre
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/46101
- Council Stirling
- Parish Kincardine (Stirling)
- Former Region Central
- Former District Stirling
- Former County Perthshire
NS79NW 51 745 982.
The rounded south angle and parts of adjacent sides of a marching-camp were identified by aerial photography in pasture on the south bank of the river Teith opposite the site of the camp at Craigarnhall (NS79NE 20). A gate with titulum was noted on the south-west side. The topography suggests that the camp is unlikely to exceed 6 ha (15 acres).
S S Frere 1983.
Situated on the river-flats about 500m NW of Ochtertyre House, roughly 150m of the SW side, together with the rounded S angle and a very short stretch of the SE side, was all that could be faintly discerned. The presence of the camp alerted observers, however, to the possibility that the Roman route into Caledonia might have bypassed the traditional passage near Stirling Bridge and sought a crossing higher up the Teith; evaluation of this line of reasoning led to the discovery of the fort at Doune.
G S Maxwell and D R Wilson 1987.
Publication Account (17 December 2011)
The camp at Ochtertyre lies on level ground on the south side of the River Teith, across from the camp at Craigarnhall. Only part of the camp has been recorded by Maxwell from the air as a cropmark in 1982. Over 160m of the WSW side is known together with a rounded southern corner angle and hint of the SSE side. But an entrance gap and titulus is visible in the WSW side, enabling its identification as a Roman camp. This gate lies 119m from the south corner. If centrally positioned, this south-west side would be around 238m in length, and if the camp occupied all the available space to the River Teith, then its overall dimensions could be in the region of 240m by 350m, thereby enclosing up to 8.4ha (20.7 acres).
R H Jones.
Note (13 January 2023)
The location, classification and period of this site have been reviewed.
