Joy after Antonine Wall gets world recognition
EAST Dunbartonshire councillors are delighted that the Antonine Wall, which runs through Bearsden, was awarded World Heritage status last week.
Councillor Billy Hendry, convener of East Dunbartonshire Council's development and environment committee, said: "The Antonine Wall is an important feature in our local history, and for it to be recognised as a World Heritage Site is excellent news.
"The council has worked hard over the last four years alongside Historic Scotland who led the bid and the other local authorities along the line of the Wall such as Falkirk, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire councils, and this excellent news is testament to that hard work."
The Antonine Wall runs from Old Kilpatrick on the River Clyde in the west to Bridgeness on the River Forth in the East. In East Dunbartonshire the line of the wall runs through Bearsden, incorporating the Roman Bath House, across to Kirkintilloch and then out to Bar Hill Fort in Twechar.
Councillor Hendry added: "The significance of the Antonine Wall has always been recognised locally and this international recognition will enable us to further promote this historical site and encourage visitors from further afield to come and explore our Roman heritage.
"Now the Antonine Wall has achieved World Heritage status we will also be looking at how we can enhance the signage at key points along the wall to ensure that we make the most of this important historic site."
Depute leader of the development and environment committee, Councillor John Dempsey, said: "The Antonine Wall is an important part of the Roman history of East Dunbartonshire.
"This status will help to enhance areas such as Twechar which are already undergoing regeneration and which will benefit from the added interest in the fort at Bar Hill which is part of the line of the Antonine Wall."
The Antonine Wall was the Roman frontier in Scotland to fend off Scots tribesmen. Construction began in 138 AD, during the reign of Antoninus Pius and was completed in 142 AD.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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