OLD KILPATRICK

Much has been written about Hadrian's Wall, which separated England and Scotland in Roman times and much of which still survives to this day.  Much less well known is the Antonine Wall, the fortification built by the Romans which connected the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde.  The wall was relatively short-lived, the occupants retrreating to Hadrian's Wall in 162 after just 20 years.  The wall marks the northernmost territory that the Romans were able to conqueur, and its western extremity is near Old Kirkpatrick, a small town on the north bank of the River Clyde near the Erskine Bridge.  Roman remains were discovered here in 1790, when the Forth and Clyde Canal was being dug.  Old Kilpatrick is reputed to be the birthplace of St Patrick, hence the name.  An area called The Saltings has been bestowed with Local Nature Reserve status, quite rightly given the site is home to Swans, Grey Herons, Cormorant, Oyster Catcher and Curlew as well as unusual butterflies.  The Reserve also enjoys wonderful views of the River Clyde and Dumbarton Rock.  Other attractions include a Distillery.

Map of the area.

Old Kilpatrick 1109. Photo by Dave Souza, via Wikimedia Commons