Hadrian’s Wall is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain, it runs a total of 73 miles across the whole width of the island. Soldiers were garrisoned along the line of the wall in large forts, smaller milecastles, and intervening turrets. Homesteads Roman Fort is perhaps the best preserved and where we stopped for a visit this afternoon. The fort was occupied for almost 300 years and housed some 800 soldiers. Wooden floors in the various buildings were supported by vertical stones which kept the interiors dry and free of vermin.

In total, we spent more than 5 hours driving from the Lake District through the Scottish highlands to Glencoe, our destination for the night on what might be the most scenic road I have ever witnessed. Regrettably, heavy rain, high winds, and low clouds made photography impossible and we can only hope for better weather when we make the return trip.