SHETLAND

(1) Aith (HU 44 30): metal-detectingFootnote ¹¹ produced an unusual copper-alloy strip-bow brooch (fig. 1). The near-flat, broad bow with narrow knobbed arms flanking the hinge for the pin has so far defied ready parallel among standard types, though various characteristics find first-century comparanda.Footnote ¹²

FIG. 1.

The Aith brooch. (© Crown Copyright)

PERTH AND KINROSS

(1) Meigle (NO 2883 4453): extensive excavationFootnote ¹³ of an unenclosed Iron Age roundhouse settlement with a substantial souterrain produced a number of Roman finds, including sherds of samian ware and the mortar and grinder of a cosmetic set, the first from an Iron Age site in Scotland.

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE

(1) Kirkintilloch, Peel Park (NS 65109 73994): magnetometer surveyFootnote ¹⁴ within Peel Park located a feature likely to be the fort's western rampart or intervallum road.Footnote ¹⁵ Medieval structures appear to have removed all traces of the northern part of the fort.

FALKIRK

(1) Seabegs Wood (NS 81362 79294): ground-penetrating radar surveyFootnote ¹⁶ clarified the structures identified in previous workFootnote ¹⁷ between the Wall and the Military Way; they seem to be orientated on a post-Roman trackway.

(2) Falkirk, South Pleasance (NS 8859 7975): expansion of a previously excavated areaFootnote ¹⁸ to the west of Falkirk fort revealed a fourth ditch on this south-west side. This was soon backfilled, with a large aisled building erected over it represented by two rows of posts and associated surfaces (figs 2 and 3). Previous work had revealed an iron-working furnace set within this. The sequence suggests the fort was initially laid out with enhanced defences, some of which were backfilled when the western annexe was constructed.Footnote ¹⁹

FIG. 2.

Plan of the 2017 and 2023 trenches at Falkirk, South Pleasance. (Drawn by Geoff Bailey)

FIG. 3.

Reconstruction of the building at Falkirk, South Pleasance. (Drawn by Geoff Bailey)

EAST LOTHIAN

(1) Inveresk, a) Kirk Park (NT 3407 7195): a complete granite lower rotary quernstone and some coarse ware and samian (one stamped) were foundFootnote ²⁰ in a geological test-pit excavated south-west of the fort.

b) Lewisvale Park (NT 34978 72076): geophysical surveyFootnote ²¹ using a range of techniques revealed the line of the aqueduct,Footnote ²² two large enclosures with a trackway between them, and a series of other enclosures (fig. 4). One is square with a central square building reminiscent of a mausoleum. Survey around the excavated MithraeumFootnote ²³ showed that it was longer than recognised on excavation (around 12–14 m), resulting in a more typical ground plan.

FIG. 4.

Gradiometer survey at Inveresk, Lewisvale Park. (© Historic Environment Scotland)

SCOTTISH BORDERS

(1) Easter Happrew (NT 19 40): metal-detecting in the vicinity of the fort complex uncovered an Iron Age linch pin and seven coins, the datable ones all late first century.Footnote ²⁴

(2) Bemersyde Hill (NT 5990 3440): excavationFootnote ²⁵ within the larger of two later prehistoric enclosures revealed a trumpet brooch and a small sherd of fineware.Footnote ²⁶