Mons Graupius Contender: The Caterthuns
Introduction
The White and Brown Caterthuns form a conspicuous twin peaked hill, these being joined by a gentle saddle.
Each of the hills is crowned by a conspicuous hillfort, the older one on the Brown Caterthun is dateable to the mid 1st millennium BC while the earliest parts of that on the White Caterthun may be contemporary with the events discussed here.
The Caterthuns sit as the dominant outlier of the Angus Hills - which roll out from the Grampians and Cairngorms - and commands the passage north contained between the hill and the Montrose basin – of which it commands excellent views. Northwards thereafter the land widens out into the expansive Howe of the Mearns, this choke point therefore is indicative of the Caterthuns strong strategic position and explains its longevity.
Behind, the hill has excellent communications with the minor glens coming off Glen Esk and from which the Caledonian septs could be expected to arrive. Research on the layout of the Brown Caterthun makes it evident that the site had for generations been a focal point, of probably military as well as religious and civic matters.
The Caterthuns, identified by Roman Scotland as a contender was visited in 2008.
The plain below – or level platform around +130m OD rises to the twin peaks in a challenging but realistic gradient achieving the summits around circa +290 m OD.
A speculative Caledonian battleline on the lower slopes stretching between Balzeordie and Lundie Castle centred on Kildare stretches just over 3 km and allows a very convincing battlefield.
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 the probable (though as yet unproven) area of Agricola’s operations in 82 AD.
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
Yes, Stracathro and Keithock.
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
No, around 5 km away.
Does the marching camps position and orientation "address" the site?
No
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
Stracathro; yes.
Keithock; 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?
Stracathro; no, at 39.3 acres it can accommodate only 8,700 men.
Keithock; no, at 63.3 acres it can accommodate only 14,000 men.
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
Yes, the lower slopes of the Caterthuns extend for slightly over 3 km.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
No, minor watercourses only. The declivity at Donaldson’s Den, a natural feature may perhaps have a connection with Tacitus pro vallum.
Does the site have a "plain" at the foot of the hill suitable for the recorded chariot action?
The lower slopes around Forthill and Kilgarie are appropriate.
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? Yes.
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
Yes, broken upland setting leading to the highland zone.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
Yes, excellent location and Flavian connections at Montrose Basin.
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, Montrose basin is probably Trucculensis Portus – "Wilderness Haven".
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
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons "Graupius" could be derived?
No
Summary
The Caterthuns achieve 12 out of a possible 19 answers, which rates the site as "interesting".
Although no appropriately sized and dateable marching camp is located near the Caterthuns, there is plenty of space where one may perhaps have been located.
Further investigation therefore over the early 12th C AD medieval Stracathro battlefield in and around Blair Muir between Cairndrum and Lummington may perhaps pay dividends.
The Caterthuns dominant position in Strathmore, its proximity to the Montrose Basin and its proven tribal nodal importance before and after the events noted make it an intriguing site which well repays a visit.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Tillymorgan
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
