Rough Castle is probably the best-preserved Roman site along the Antonine Wall. It is also one of the smallest of the 19 forts on the wall, with earthen banks fully six metres wide, enclosing an area of about 1.25 acres.
The 'castle' site has a section of ditch and earth rampart, in addition to earthworks used to create the fort defences. There is also a short section of a military road leading to quarry pits.
Rough Castle was built about 143 AD, and the remains of barracks, a headquarters building, the Commander's house, bath house and a granary were found during excavations on the site.
One interesting feature is a series of deep pits on the wall side. These pits, or lilias, had sharpened stakes at the bottom and were used to provide an extra layer of defence around the vulnerable entrance gate through the wall. The fort was the base for about 500 soldiers of the 6th Cohort.
About 3 miles away is Castlecary Roman Fort, another Roman encampment on the Antonine Wall.
About Antonine Wall, Rough Castle
Address: Bonnybridge, Central Scotland, Scotland
Attraction Type: Roman Site
Location: Off the B816 between Bonnybridge and High Bonnybridge
Website: Antonine Wall, Rough Castle
Historic Scotland
Location map
OS: NS835798
Photo Credit: Frank Garvock, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time
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NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Antonine Wall, Seabegs Wood - 1.5 miles (Roman Site) 
Watling Lodge (Antonine Wall) - 1.7 miles (Roman Site) 
Antonine Wall, Castlecary Roman Fort - 2.9 miles (Roman Site)
Callendar House - 3.9 miles (Historic House) 
Westquarter Dovecot - 4.9 miles (Historic Building)
Dullatur - 4.9 miles (Roman Site)
The Dunmore Pineapple - 6.2 miles (Garden)
Colzium Estate and Garden - 6.7 miles (Garden)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Antonine Wall, Rough Castle:
Stirling, Central Scotland
Sleeps: 4
Stay from:£621 - £1,754
