Elginhaugh

Elginhaugh is a Roman fort on the left bank of the North Esk, where excavations have uncovered multiple buildings, defensive ditches, and a bath house. The site was positioned to command a ford where the main road Dere Street crossed the river.

This was a Roman military outpost occupied between 77-86 AD during General Gnaeus Julius Agricola's campaigns to conquer Scotland. The fort served a short but important role in Rome's brief period of military expansion northward.

The fort's cavalry barracks reveal how soldiers and horses shared living spaces, offering insights into daily military routines in this remote posting. This arrangement reflects the practical needs of maintaining mounted forces along a frontier far from Rome.

The site is located in open countryside, so sturdy footwear and weather protection are advisable for visiting. It helps to bring detailed maps or GPS navigation since the remains are spread across the terrain and not always clearly marked.

After the Romans left, local people repurposed the fort as a livestock collection center, adding cobbled floors and specialized ditches. This reveals how communities adapted abandoned military structures for their own economic needs.

Location: Midlothian

GPS coordinates: 55.89440,-3.08583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20