Mons Graupius Contender: Strathfinella
Introduction
Sometime before 1793 Roy – influenced by the experiences of his brother officers in the "45" - suggested a location "near Fettercairn" in Angus.
Roman Scotland has long viewed the prominent mass of Strathfinella Hill (near Fettercairn) in the Howe of the Mearns with interest, and marrying the two prompts together visited the site to determine its applicability in 2008.
The proposed battleline, along the slopes of Strathfinella Hill, terminating on Black Hill is very compelling indeed.
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?
This is possibly the area of Agricola’s most northerly operations in 82 AD.
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
Yes, Kair House and Marykirk.
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
No,
Kair House; 5 km away,
Marykirk; 9 km away.
Does the marching camps position and orientation "address" the site?
No, they address their local crossing points of the Bervie Water and North Esk.
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
Kair House; possibly underlying the known camp which displays late Roman marching camp morphology.
Marykirk; No, it 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?
Kair House; no at (a speculated) 92 acres it is not large enough and can accommodate only 20,400 men.
Marykirk; close but too large. At 126 acres it can accommodate 28,000 men.
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
Yes, an impressive Caledonian position 3.5 km long is available on the concave theatre-like slopes of Strathfinella Hill, centred on East Cairnbeg and extending between the lower slopes of Black Hill and the heavily broken ground of the ridge above Odmoston.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
No, there are only minor watercourses on the immediate site. To get to the site the North Esk would have to be crossed – at a distance – from Marykirk while the Luther Water and Bervie water would require to be crossed from Kair House.
On the contrary however the broken ground above Odmoston admirably matches Tacitus account of difficult "rough" ground on the flank impeding the progress of the cavalry.
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
- A realistic Roman assault up? Yes
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
Yes, the broken ground around Drumtochty leads to the Highland zone.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
Yes, a days march to 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?
Yes, Inchtuthil is not too far removed to the south from this site.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons "Graupius" could be derived?
No
Summary
Strathfinella achieves 11 appropriate answers out of a possible 19, rating this site as "interesting".
Should earlier suggestions of a square enclosure on the site of the Kair House marching camp be proven then Strathfinellas rating will improve as will our understanding of Agricola’s most likely northern penetration – though this was probably in 82 AD.
Strathfinellas theatre-like profile and the clearly rough ground on the flanks fits well with Tacitus’s account.
It is of an appropriate size for the forces involved and bounds the modern Fettercairn road that Roy suggested was another route the Romans may have followed north.
The flat farmlands of the Howe of the Mearns have ample space where a suitable Flavian camp may be sought and one day found.
In conclusion the site is well worth a visit.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: The Caterthuns
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
