Roberton - Castledykes

NS94SW 45 from 92 40 to 928 442 RX 8.

Formerly RR 78a.

No traces of this road, for which a Roman date is suggested by Radford, followed by Margary, may be seen on this sheet, though its probable course would have taken it W of Caringryffe Hill (NS 9441) and Carmichael Hill (NS 9238).

C A R Radford et al 1953; I D Margary 1957.

The extant parts of this road, examined by RCAHMS, are considered to be parts of the medieval and later road-system connecting Upper Clydesdale with Lanark. However, excavations at the S gateway of Castledykes fort (NS94SW 7.01) uncovered two superimposed Antonine roads. The Antonine

II road was about 20 ft wide and well cobbled. It lay, only a few inches below the modern turf, on a foot of made-up soil, beneath which was the Antonine I road. This was also cobbled, but not quite as wide as the upper road. It rested on gravel on natural sand. A Flavian gateway lay slightly W of the Antonine one. Visited by RCAHMS July 1969. A S Robertson 1964; RCAHMS 1978.

The course of this alleged Roman road was perambulated between NS 922 356 and NS 926 376 but no indications of a road could be found.

Visited by OS (RD) 30 January 1968.

Aerial photography has revealed a linear feature running down the slope from the S gate of the fort (NS94SW 7.01). It can be traced from approximately NS 9284 4413 to NS 9282 4395.

RCAHMSAP (RHM) 28 June 1994

Site recorded during an archaeological evaluation conducted on 30 alternative route elements, with a combined length of c84km, for a proposed road linking the M8 near Whitburn, Lothian Region with the M6/M74 near Douglas, Clydesdale District.

NS94SW 45 RX 8 Roman road (supposed course)

An illustrated report will be deposited with the NMRS.

Sponsor: Roads Directorate of The Scottish Office Industry Department, managed on its behalf by Historic Scotland.

A J Dunwell and R J Strachan 1995.