Public events on Antonine Wall plans in Bearsden and Twechar

Date: 
Wednesday, 15 November, 2017


Public events are being held in Bearsden and Twechar to help build exciting plans for the Antonine Wall.Image of rediscovering the Antonine Wall poster

Rediscovering the Antonine Wall is a £1.6m scheme to deliver a range of projects along the route of the famous Roman wall - from the Clyde to the Forth.

Bearsden and Twechar are key locations and local residents have been invited to get involved. There will also be fun and games for all the family.

A drop-in event is being held in Bearsden Cross Parish Church on Tuesday 21 November between 2pm and 8pm.

You can also get more information at Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre's Christmas Market on Saturday 2 December - between noon and 3pm.

Ideas include:

  • An Antonine Wall-inspired playpark at Peel Park, Kirkintilloch
  • Siting a replica distance slab near Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre
  • Multi-media projects related to sites along the wall
  • Developing and leading community initiatives - these could be anything from exhibitions and local research projects, to community gardens with a Roman twist and art activities
  • The ‘21st Century Legion’ - a volunteer group which will help raise awareness of the wall, as well as developing and delivering activities.

Rediscovering the Antonine Wall is being led by West Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and Falkirk Councils, as well as Historic Environment Scotland.

The project has received a first-round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), with development funding of £97,000 awarded to progress plans - allowing the group to apply for a full grant next year to implement the project.

Project Manager Emma McMullen, said, "Please come along to the events in Bearsden and Twechar to hear more about the project and the exciting plans. We want to engage with as many people as possible - enabling them to shape proposals for their communities."

Councillor Jim Gibbons, Convener of the Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "Innovative proposals range from Roman-themed play spaces to a multi-media tour, aimed at bringing history and heritage to life for people of all ages.

"The Antonine Wall is a key part of East Dunbartonshire's rich history - with much to explore locally - and I look forward to hearing more about this project as it develops."

  • Heritage grant applications are assessed in two rounds. A first-round pass is given when the HLF has endorsed outline proposals and earmarked funding. A first-round pass may also include an immediate award to fund development of the project. Detailed proposals are then considered by the HLF at second round and, as long as plans have progressed satisfactorily and according to the original proposal, an award for the project is confirmed.
  • The Antonine Wall was constructed in the second century AD and is one part of the much larger Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site (FREWHS), alongside Hadrian’s Wall and the German Limes. Extending 37 miles from Old Kilpatrick (in West Dunbartonshire) in the west to Carriden (in Falkirk) to the east, the Antonine Wall represents the most north-westerly extent of the Roman Empire’s general system of defence. Visit www.antoninewall.org

Pictured: The well-preserved bath house in Bearsden give visitors an insight into the daily lives of the soldiers stationed along the Antonine Wall. A number of artefacts have been found at the site, including the carved head of a goddess, a gaming board and a building stone inscribed by the men of the 20th Legion. Below that is a photo of the steps commemorating the Antonine Wall outside the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch.

Follow us on Twitter @EDCouncil or like us on Facebook for the latest updates.