Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/257

FROM THE ROMAN AVALL NORTHWARD INTO SCOTLAND. 221 that the Maiden Way passed over the Greyfcll, but the proper track appears to have been lost. One person pointed out to me the " Ancient Ditch," which I have found so closely accompanying the road, as the Maiden Way. That there were different Roman roads through the district is not at all improbable. Gibbon says, " the primary oljject of these roads was to facilitate the march of the legions, nor was any country considered as completely subdued till it had been rendered, in all its parts, pervious to the arms and authority of the Emperor." From the Brownhill the Maiden Way turns and aims nearly due north ; it passes out of the north corner of the Stocostead allotment, and enters into the Stocostead pasture. (590 yards.) At 2060 yards it traverses the Ashycroft Cleugh, almost at the head of the Stocostead pasture, where there must necessarily have been an embankment, and an arch which has disappeared. At the bottom of the Cleugh runs an old stone fence, with a part of it, on the north side of the Beck, jutting out w'ith some large stones, which may have been the foundations of an arch. The situation of this deep and solitary ravine is of the boldest character. The banks on each side rise abruptly — in some places almost perpendicularly — and are studded with rugged crags, so that the gulph has a very grand and awful appearance. Farther down this serpentine and sequestered glen the cliffs are crowned with brushwood ; and to complete the enchanting scene, the streamlet breaks in foam over the points of the rocks, and forms several small cascades. I was informed by more than one person that the Maiden Way passed through the Ashycroft ground, to the Crew, but no one could point out the exact locality. (120 yards.) At 2180 yards it enters the Hill pasture, near a bend in the stone wall. Here it passes near the vestiges, it may be, of another mihtary domicile of the Romans, situated on the west side of the Farm-house called the Hill. The ground-works arc about 22 yards square, covered with turf, and not above 3 feet high, presenting the appearance of having been one of the ancient camp-fortlets. There is also a kiln for drying corn, 3 yards in diameter, and nearly filled with loose stones, with traces of ancient mortar. It appears to have been placed at the end of a building (or perhaps within it) 14 yards long, and 5 yards