Irregular Roman earthworks follow Garrison Hill above the Cowie Water near Stonehaven. Raedykes is a Roman marching camp, a temporary military base used by troops on campaign or during long-distance movement.
Its position has drawn repeated attention in debates over Mons Graupius, the battle where Agricola defeated Caledonian forces. The pack is careful: Raedykes is one proposed area, but there is no general agreement and no direct evidence fixes the battle site.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Raedykes lies north-west of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. The site is a scheduled monument. The camp probably dates to the late first century AD, though Antonine or Severan dates have also been argued.
Its rampart encloses the summit and eastern slopes of Garrison Hill. The entire perimeter has been recorded and is irregular because of the terrain. Six gateways are known, five of them visible, and all were protected by titulus outworks.
Raedykes sits a day’s march north from Stracathro and a few hours south of Normandykes. The area around Raedykes and Kempstone Hill has been proposed as a possible Mons Graupius location. There is no general agreement about the battle location and no direct evidence to pinpoint it.
People
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Agricola
Roman governor associated with the Mons Graupius campaign.
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Portrait: Not given in text, but viewable on the sketch / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain Calgacus
possible Caledonian leader at Mons Graupius.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.0020°N · 2.2632°W
- Access
- Visible from a public way
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
The source pack does not provide reliable current admission details; verify before travelling.
- The scheduled Roman camp earthworks cross working farmland; the pack gives no formal visitor route.
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Questions people ask
- What is Raedykes?
- It is a Roman marching camp near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
- What is a titulus outwork?
- It is a short defensive bank or ditch placed outside a camp gateway to slow direct entry.
- Is Raedykes the site of Mons Graupius?
- No certain identification exists; the Raedykes area has been proposed, but the pack says there is no general agreement or direct proof.
- How is the camp laid out?
- Its irregular perimeter follows the terrain of Garrison Hill and includes six gateways.
Sources
Explore more: Fortified places · Roman · Aberdeenshire
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