Mons Graupius Contender: Inverquharity
Introduction
Maxwell also speculated in 1990 on the battle taking place on ground lying close to the fort at Inverquharity – near Kirriemuir in Angus- which is situated to the north west of the River South Esks crossing points around Forfar.
The Forfar area "crossings" were used - based on later marching camp remains – on several occasions by Roman armies on campaign.
Inverquharity`s position however, off this apparently direct line of march on the map, was according to Maxwell, suggestive of Roman interest in this "forward" area that could have been based on the battle having taken place here
He expressed an interest in Cat Law (circa +678m OD), an outlier of the Grampian mountains sited next to Glen Prosen and interestingly close to the area that may perhaps have been the junction between the lands of the Venicones, Vacomagi tribes and the Caledonii.
Roman Scotland visited the site in 2008 and found Cat Law too mountainous and far removed from the sort of level plain Tacitus recorded for the initial phases of the action.
Roman Scotland however identified an alternative site fronting Caddam Wood, close to the famous Kirriemuir golf course. The notable escarpment here, comprising the low rolling hills of Meams, Castle, Culhawk and Kirkton Hills (circa +230m OD) presents a very plausible Caledonian position. The size available for the suggested battlefield is very convincing and the flanks of the ridge are sufficiently strong to assist it in being used as a credible Caledonian defensive position.
The low valley (circa +150m OD) between the suggested Roman and Caledonian positions is interrupted by only minor watercourses and is suitable for Tacitus description of unfolding events.
Further, and most tellingly the proposed Roman position sits astride Caddam Wood, where Keppie – a very reliable source - places a stretch of probable Roman road. This is quite compelling evidence, and, if as Maxwell suggested Cat Law was utilised as a hosting point for the Caledonians, then the low ridge mentioned above would be a suitable location to come down to and offer battle to the Romans marching along the route the (probably only slightly) later Roman road followed.
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, however the known Flavian marching camp, putative road and fort probably date to Sallustius Lucullus term as Governor.
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
Yes, at Inverquharity.
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
Yes, it is no further than 2km away.
Does the marching camps position and orientation "address" the site?
No
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
Yes
Is the size of the marching camp reasonably close to the 117 acre criteria required to accommodate 26,000 men?
No, at 5.7 acres it can accommodate only 1,200 men.
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
Yes, the low escarpment formed by Meams, Castle, Culhawk and Kirkton Hills extends to an effective 3.5 km.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
No, there are only minor watercourses.
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, very appropriate.
- 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?
Yes, broken uplands leading into highlands.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
No, a minimum of 2 days march to either the Montrose Basin or the Tay.
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, fronting the highland massif along the course of the River Isla.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons "Graupius" could be derived?
No
Summary
Inverquharity is a smashing site. However with only 12 appropriate answers out of a possible 19, it merely attracts a rating of "interesting".
The site suffers – as do many others - in not having a suitably sized Flavian marching camp in its immediate vicinity.
The putative stretch of Roman road here – most likely a short lived later Flavian creation - makes it clear however that much around this location still remains to be found.
Its position, at the north western edges of – if not beyond – Venicone territory however does beg the question of it being too far north to maintain a tribal confederations unity in the face of the advancing Roman column and the torch they will have put to over-run tribal homelands.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Kempstone Hill
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
