Trimontium - Newstead Roman fort
Trimontium (the place of three mountains), a massive Roman fort at Newstead near Melrose, was the Roman military headquarters for the south of Scotland.
It was a key position overlooking the river Tweed, and the site resembled a wheel with roads radiating out in all directions. The fort itself was built and rebuilt many times, and the garrison numbered between 2000 and 5000 at any one time.
A frontier town spread around the fort to house artisans, suppliers and traders.
The principal buildings were laid out in a strict pattern within the fort: the headquarters was the ‘Principia’; nearby was the Commandant’s house and the officers’ homes – all with the luxury of under-floor heating. There were also barracks, a granary with enough grain for a year, stables and a drill hall. The workshop and baths were built outside the ramparts in case of fire.
The Romans abandoned Trimontium as a permanent base around AD 185.
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Explore the artefacts discovered at the Roman Fort in Newstead, Roxburghshire. -
Digital images and information about the Roman site at Newstead from the Royal Commission. -
Information and photographs about the remains of the Roman Fort at Newstead.
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Information about the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre, a museum with artefacts, photographs, models and more relating to Roman Britain.