Thomshill

Thomshill, located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of Elgin in Moray, Scotland,[1] is the site of an excavated rectilinear enclosure that has been interpreted as a possible Roman military camp or fort.

[2] The enclosure covers an area of approximately 3.25 hectares (8.0 acres) and is situated at a height of 72 metres (236 ft) above ordnance datum.

[3] Ground observation and aerial photography during the 1980s revealed cropmarks suggesting three sides of a rectilinear ditched enclosure, situated on an eroded spur overlooking a dry river valley dominated by two nearby distilleries.

[9] Two small ditches that predated the main enclosure were also found on the site, and were taken to represent an unknown earlier phase of occupation.

[10] Following these excavations, the site at Thomshill was interpreted as being comparable to those at Balnageith, Boyndie and Easter Galcantray, which were seen as semi-permanent Roman fortifications and explained as the hibernia or winter quarters taken in or close to the land of the Boresti by the forces of Agricola after their victory at the Battle of Mons Graupius, as described by Tacitus in his biography Agricola.