Trimontium Roman fort has a unique place in the history of Iron Age Scotland.

Trimontium Roman fort near Newstead, just east of Melrose is of international importance as the largest Roman fort and settlement north of Hadrian’s Wall and the site of one of the largest concentrations of Roman military-related finds in the British Isles. The mystery of this great cache found in 117 pits and wells remains unexplained.

Our museum tells its story providing a modern window on the pivotal and turbulent history of this frontier post, which for much of its existence was the main forward base for the continued Roman invasion and occupation of Scotland.

Trimontium was a permanent garrison three times the size of the largest fort on Hadrian’s Wall and for a significant period was the most northerly bastion of the Roman Empire. A glimpse of it’s complex and often fraught history is revealed by the amazing archaeological finds from the site.

At Trimontium, the colourful story of everyday Roman Army life contrasts sharply with the grisly contents of the mysterious pits which baffle archaeologists and historians to this day.