Castle Greg

A small Roman camp located on Camilty Hill in the S of West Lothian, 3 miles (5 km) southeast of West Calder, Castle Greg is said to be one of the best-preserved Roman earthworks in Scotland, perhaps because of its moderately remote location. It comprises two concentric ditches and a rampart protecting a rectangular site of approximately 0.4 ha (1 acre). There would have been a wooden palisade on the rampart, standing at least 3m (10 feet) in height, with a parapet walkway patrolled by the garrison. The entrance was to the east and the fortlet probably contained two barrack-blocks, although little evidence of these remains. Various excavations have taken place; a hoard of coins found in 1830 indicated a date of c. 170 AD, while more systematic work was carried out in 1852 by Prof. Sir Daniel Wilson (1816-92), revealing fragments of glass and amphora. The fort was probably used as an observation station, with views along the shores of the Firth of Forth and into Fife.

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