Mons Graupius Contender: Fortingall
Introduction
Fortingall is located in Glen Lyon, north of Loch Tay in Caledonii territory.
The noted antiquarian Horsley, in 1732 suggested the location as the site of the battle as he felt that the action must have taken place within the Highland massif itself.
Horsley was undoubtedly attracted to Fortingalls’ traditional Roman associations – the site is reputed to be Pontius Pilates birthplace – and he claimed that the small rectilinear earthwork there was Agricola’s headquarters – Horsley’s “Proscenium” - at the battle. In fairness to Horsley the site fooled Roy too who planned the earthwork in Military Antiquities of the Romans in North Britain published in 1793.
The earthwork however is medieval, and Fortingalls ancient association with Rome is religious and certainly no older than the early monastic community suspected there.
A: Campaigning
Is the site located in an area of known Flavian campaigning?
No
Is the Flavian activity in the area likely to be Agricolan?
N/A
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
No
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
N/A
Does the marching camps position and orientation “address” the site?
N/A
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
N/A
Is the size of the marching camp reasonably close to the 117 acre criteria required to accommodate 26,000 men?
N/A
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
No, there is less than 2km width open ground at Fortingall into which the Romans could deploy.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
The site is bisected by the Aalt Odhar watercourse. The River Lyon, a considerable river, is situated immediately behind the Roman position (if facing Balnacraig) or intervening between the forces if the Caledonians were posted on Drummond Hill. Either way The River Lyon would have been noteworthy.
Does the site have a “plain” at the foot of the hill suitable for the recorded chariot action?
No, there is insufficient space for the Romans to properly deploy a minimum width battleline let alone a stretched one.
Is the hill of an appropriate gradient for:
- The Caledonians to be marshalled and advance down and around? No, too steep.
- A realistic Roman assault up? As above.
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
No, the land behind is mountainous highlands, pursuit would have been directly along Glen Lyon which is not how Tacitus describes the battles aftermath.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
No, several days travel along the Tay would be required to reach its navigable reaches.
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?
Fortingall is further into the highland zone than would be expected for a legionary fortress. Therefore a location sited back at Inchtuthil would be very appropriate.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons “Graupius” could be derived?
No
Summary
Fortingall scrapes only 2 appropriate answers out of a possible 19 and “does not rate serious consideration”.
The site is too small, is supported by no known marching camps near or approaching it. Again, a contender has been chosen on the basis of an academic hunch, this time placing it in the Highlands while sitting piggyback on spurious local traditions of Roman association which unfortunately have not stood the test of time.
Fortingall is a beautiful and secluded spot but identifying it as Mons Graupius is no longer viable.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Gask Ridge
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
