196 FIELD MEETINGS. 
evidence. The conspicuous position, the tabular summit, the 
strategic site, are, of course, geographical factors sufficient 
in themselves to condition the selection of Birrenswark as a 
place of strength in early British times. However invitingly 
easy it would be, in accordance with local patriotism and a 
superficial historical geography, to assert that the Romans 
entered Scotland by the western gateway and _ penetrated 
northwards by the Kirtle Water and Annan Valleys, I cannot 
bring myself to regard this as accurate history. It would be 
nearer the truth to hold that, about 82 a.p., the great Julius 
Agricola, having entered Scotland by the eastern gateway and 
having constructed his chain of forts between Forth and 
Clyde, conducted a punitive expedition against the South- 
western Selgovee, who had in all likelihood aided their kins- 
men, the Brigantes, in their opposition to the advance of the 
Romans through Northern England. This expedition brought 
Dumfriesshire, and incidentally Birrenswark, into the light of 
history. The fortifications round Birrenswark, as we see 
them, are unquestionably Roman—the archeologist tells us 
that. The late Mr Barbour, our foremost authority, had no 
doubts about the matter, and the Historical Monuments Com- 
missioners agree. To the geographer, the interest of the 
nerth and south enclosures lies in their hill-crest-ward defen- 
sive formation. It does not require much acumen to surmise 
that a hill like Birrenswark, possessing every imaginable ad- 
vantage, could not but be the rallying point for the assailed 
Britons, the site of their stand against the disciplined invader. 
Here they were besieged by Agricola, and here the great 
Roman general and administrator caused to be constructed 
the works known to antiquarians as the north and south 
camps. They are thus earlier by at least half a century than 
the mighty camp at Birrens. It may reasonably be conjectured 
that, after the establishment of the latter, the south camp at 
the Hill became a sort of summer camp. Its better state of 
preservation and its obviously fuller plan favour this assump- 
tion. 
Just a word on the Birrenswark system. It is claimed by 
some that a fairly complete triple circumvallation has girt the 
