Raedykes, Roman military camp in Stonehaven, Scotland.
Raedykes is a Roman military camp sitting on Garrison Hill with four visible entrances and earthen ramparts spreading across the land. The fortifications form an irregular shape that adapts to the natural terrain, with defensive ditches and walls built to house soldiers during ancient times.
The camp was established in the first century AD as a temporary base for Roman legions pushing north into Scotland. It served a short-term military purpose before being abandoned as the Romans moved their forces elsewhere.
The earthworks reveal how Roman soldiers organized military spaces, with reinforced corners on the north side and specialized defensive features along the eastern edge. You can see these practical military designs still visible in the landscape today.
The site is located northwest of Stonehaven and remains easy to access when exploring the camp's visible walls and ditches. The surviving earthworks are still clear to see, though erosion and time have naturally worn down some features over the centuries.
The camp was deliberately built on Garrison Hill to use the natural slope for added defense and visibility across the land. This choice shows how Roman commanders combined military strategy with the surrounding landscape to their advantage.
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