Mons Graupius Contender: Mondboddo
Introduction
Roy in 1790 proposed Mondboddo near Glenbervie in northern Strathmore, deep within Vacomagi territory as a possible contender. In so doing he was heavily influenced by his brother officers experiences as they advanced north in the latter stages of the "45".
Mondboddo was considered by military intelligence at the time as a possible location where the retreating Jacobite forces may halt and seek to confront the Government forces that were pursuing them.
Maxwell in 1990 considered this location further, and felt that the sites location - prior to the choke point at Stonehaven - was strong. Roman Scotland visited the site in 2008.
The suggested Caledonian position is on the low rolling ridgeline spanning between Knock Hill (+218m OD) to Herscha Hill (+223m OD). The corresponding Roman position near Auchenblae extends from Bankhead to Cushnie and is centred around Mondboddo.
A: Campaigning
Is the site located in an area of known Flavian campaigning?
Yes
Is the Flavian activity in the area likely to be Agricolan?
Possibly at the extent of Agricolan operations in 82 AD.
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
Yes, at Kair House.
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
No, 4.5 km away.
Does the marching camps position and orientation "address" the site?
No
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
Possibly underlying the known camp which displays late Roman marching camp morphology.
Is the size of the marching camp reasonably close to the 117 acre criteria required to accommodate 26,000 men?
No, the possible Flavian camp at a speculated 92 acres it is not large enough and could only accommodate 20,400 men
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
No, it is rather too long. A frontage extends over 4km between Knock Hill and the low lying flanks of Herscha Hill.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
The Luther Water and broken ground in the Glen of Drumtochty would have been something of an impediment to ready Roman deployment.
Does the site have a "plain" at the foot of the hill suitable for the recorded chariot action?
Yes
Is the hill of an appropriate gradient for:
- The Caledonians to be marshalled and advance down and around? Yes, ideal.
- A realistic Roman assault up? As above. However the ridge has exceptionally weak flanks, particularly Herscha Hill and there is little to force the Romans to commit to a simple frontal assault.
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
No, after Droop Hill it is fairly low lying territory. The Caledonians would also have their backs to the Bervie water which is situated immediately behind.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
Yes, at Inverbervie.
Is the likely point of contact with the fleet consistent with the broad strategy and location of the Roman fleet on the east coast?
Yes
Can the "Boresti" be identified locally?
No
Are there known marching camps which hint at Agricola’s movements after leaving the site of battle?
No
Is the sites location consistent with the position chosen the following year for the siting of the legionary fortress of Inchtuthil?
Mondboddo sits at about the very northern limit that a legionary post subsequently sited at Inchtuthil would appear acceptable.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons "Graupius" could be derived?
No
Summary
Mondboddo achieves 8 appropriate answers out of a possible 19, and as such it acquires a rating of "highly unlikely".
The orientation of the ridge is not one particularly well suited to block a suggested Roman advance -as Roy and Maxwell considered - along the line taken by the modern A90.
However in fairness to the theory the Romans on this occasion could have simply marched closer to the hills along the line of the modern Fettercairn road, in which situation Mondboddo does prove to be more of an obstacle.
The hill however does not inspire a great deal of confidence as a strong defensive position; and the Caledonians we remember adopted a defensive posture.
It certainly would suit the Jacobite scenario where musketry could be played out before a Highland charge down the fairly easy slope could be delivered.
Mondboddo, we consider is a thing of its time, a hang over from the Jacobite episode and yet another seemingly cross era analogy which sadly, under the light of serious scrutiny, does not deliver particularly convincingly.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Monifieth
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
