Two overlapping Roman camps sit near the headwaters of the River Ythan, where natural springs supplied water. Ythan Wells, also known as Glenmailen, is a scheduled Roman military camp site near Glenmellan in Aberdeenshire.
The site matters because it preserves two superimposed camps of different sizes and dates. One was recorded by an eighteenth-century antiquarian, the smaller was discovered by aerial archaeology in the twentieth century, and the pairing helps scholars study Roman military design, logistics, and campaigning at Scotland’s northern edge.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Ythan Wells is also known as Glenmailen. The site lies near Glenmellan, east of the village of Ythanwells.
Two Roman marching camps have been found at the site. Colonel Alex Shand discovered the larger camp in 1785.
J. K. St Joseph discovered the smaller overlapping camp in 1968. The smaller camp predates the larger and has been dated to Agricola’s campaigns.
Natural springs at the headwaters of the River Ythan supplied potable water for the camp. Part of the defences survives as an upstanding earthwork.
The site is nationally important for understanding Roman camp construction, organisation, use, and design.
People
-
Col. Alex Shand
discovered the larger camp in 1785.
-
J. K. St Joseph
discovered the smaller camp in 1968.
-
Agricola
Roman governor whose campaigns are linked with the smaller camp.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.4324°N · 2.5762°W
- Access
- Visible from a public way
- Terrain
- Easy going
Opening & admission
The source pack does not provide reliable current admission details; verify before travelling.
- The Roman camps are largely earthwork/cropmark remains near farmland; the pack gives no visitor facilities.
Nearby places
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- Near Insch
- Easy path
Questions people ask
- What is Ythan Wells?
- It is a scheduled Roman military camp site in Aberdeenshire, also known as Glenmailen.
- How many camps are there?
- The pack says traces of two overlapping marching camps have been found.
- Who discovered them?
- Col. Alex Shand found the larger camp in 1785, and J. K. St Joseph found the smaller one in 1968.
- Why is the site important?
- Its two superimposed camps help scholars understand Roman camp design, logistics, and campaigning in northern Scotland.
Sources
Explore more: Fortified places · Roman · Aberdeenshire
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