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Antonine Wall is a Roman frontier fortification built across central Scotland in the 2nd century AD. This section, stretching from approximately 855 metres west-south-west to 605 metres east-north-east of Wester Shirva in Dunbartonshire, forms part of the wall's 37-mile course between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. Constructed under the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius around AD 140, the wall represented Rome's northernmost land frontier in Britain and was maintained for approximately twenty years before being abandoned in favour of Hadrian's Wall.
The monument sits upon bedrock of the Clackmannan Group, Westphalian-age sedimentary rocks that provided a stable foundation for the wall's construction. The linear earthwork comprised a stone foundation, standing wall and frontal ditch, built with materials sourced from the local landscape. Archaeological investigation has revealed the remains of associated military structures, including forts and fortlets positioned at intervals along the wall's length.
This section of the Antonine Wall is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM727. The site represents a significant archaeological and historical asset, illustrating Roman military engineering and the extent of imperial territorial ambition in northern Britain during the 2nd century AD.
Antonine Wall, 855m WSW to 605m ENE of Wester Shirva is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM727. View the official record →
Antonine Wall is a Roman frontier fortification built across central Scotland in the 2nd century AD. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM727.
Antonine Wall, 855m WSW to 605m ENE of Wester Shirva is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM727.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Forth and Clyde Canal: Kirkintilloch - Auchinstarry Farm (0.4 km), Antonine Wall and fort, 130m NE to 375m WSW of Auchendavie Farm (0.8 km), Twechar, Roman temporary camp NW of St John of the Cross RC Church (1.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Antonine Wall, 855m WSW to 605m ENE of Wester Shirva's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Antonine Wall, 855m WSW to 605m ENE of Wester Shirva stands on Clackmannan Group, bedrock that formed in the Westphalian. The rock here is sedimentary rock cycles, clackmannan group type.