Archaeological dig unearths ancient Roman road in Stirling cottage garden
dailyrecord.co.ukA 2000-year-old Roman road has been discovered in a cottage garden on the outskirts of Stirling city.The cobbled road by the Old Drip Bridge was built by the armies of General Julius Agricola in the first century AD and would have linked to a ford crossing the Forth.The road, and river crossing, would have been used again by the Romans in the second and third centuries AD as legions launched fresh invasions under the emperors Antonine and Severan.Uncovered during a dig led by Stirling Council archaeologist Murray Cook, it has been described as “the most important road in Scottish history”.The work took place in the garden of Old Inn Cottage, a former Drover Inn built in the 17th century.Key historical figures of Scottish and British history would have used the road for military campaigns given its strategic importance for crossing the Forth and reaching the Highlands, as well as its proximity to Stirling – Scotland’s former capital city.Dr Cook said: “This crossing would have been used by the Romans, the Picts, William the Conqueror, Oliver Cromwell and every King and Queen of Scotland, including MacBeth, Kenneth McAlpin and Robert the Bruce – but not Bonnie Prince Charlie who we know crossed the river at a ford at Frew to the west of Stirling.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area. “It is the most important road in Scottish history so it’s an amazing discovery.“To literally walk where Wallace and Bruce went, let alone the Romans, Picts and Vikings is astonishing.
It has also never been clear before this find where this road ran.“To the south the road heads towards Falkirk and would eventually take you to England.“To the north, it would take you a crossing over the Tay and the edge of the Roman
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