Redshaw Burn

NT01SW 2 03000 13980.

(NT 0300 1398) Roman Fortlet (R)

OS 6" map, 1962

Roman Fortlet, Redshaw Burn: This fortlet, which was discovered from the air in 1939 (S N Miller 1952), is situated 560 m SE of the summit of Errickstane Hill, about 75 m S of the point where the Roman road from Carlisle to the Forth (RR 7f) crosses the westernmost of the twin heads of the Redshaw Burn. Here the road has climbed to a height of 365 m O D, and the position of the fortlet has been chosen to command a view down the narrow valley of the Evan Water. Rectangular on plan (q.v.) with rounded angles, the fortlet measures 19.8 m form E to W by 17.4 m transversely within a rampart about 5.5 m thick but now not much more than 0.3 m in height. The entrance, about 4.0 m wide, is in the centre of the N side, facing the Roman road. From the E side of the entrance to the SW angle there are double ditches, but at some point on the W side of the fortlet, where erosion of the steep left bank of the burn has partly destroyed the defences, the two ditches united, and only a single ditch is present between the NW angle and the W side of the gate. The inner ditch averages 3.0 m in width and the outer one 2.1 m, but neither is more than 0.3 m deep at the present time. Intermittent traces of a low mound 3.0 m in width, which can be seen leading from the metalled (18th century) road in the direction of the entrance of the fortlet, may represent an original service-track. Subsequently, however, this approach was blocked by the creation of what was in essence a small annexe, access into which could be obtained only from the E. The E side of the annexe is formed by an outward extension of the ditch terminals to the E of the Gate, and the N side by a bank and ditch, 30 m long, whose W ends formerly rested on the bank of the burn. In addition to its main purpose of preventing a direct attack on the entrance, the annexe may also have served as a waggon park for small convoys passing up and down the road. This fortlet, which has not been excavated, was occupied in the 2nd/3rd centuries AD. It is one of the smallest of its class (0.8 ha - 0.2 acres in area), and could only have held about forty men.

RCAHMS 1978, visited 1972

Surveyed at 1:10,560.

Visited by OS (W D J) 13 August 1959

Deep furrow ploughing by the Forestry Commission is now taking place, but a 20 m space around the fortlet has been left undisturbed.

Visited by OS (E C W) 28 March 1974.

NT 030 139 A fragmentary large rectangular lead sheet was found close to Redshaw Burn Roman fortlet. The flanged edges and perforations suggest it may have come from a tank lining. Claimed as Treasure Trove (TT 122/99) and allocated to Wanlockhead Museum Trust.

F Hunter 2000