Trimontium Roman fort has a unique place in the history of Iron Age Scotland.
Trimontium Roman fort site near Newstead lies just east of Melrose, the home of the NEW Trimontium Museum. Trimontium 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 NEW museum in Melrose 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 its 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.
BOOK MUSEUM TICKETS
Outside the NEW museum in Melrose 
Roman Cavalry display 
Iron Age native armlet 
Bronze cavalry face mask 
Museum shop in Melrose 
Infantry armour on display 
Youth group getting involved 
How it all started in 1905
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Museum
MuseumSupport the Trimontium Museum Trust
Help us expand our Museum, conserve our Roman past and inform current and future generations.
Why Help?
The Trimontium Trust
The Trust was born over thirty years ago from the embers of a public enquiry into a threat posed to the site of the fort by the proposed Melrose bypass. The enquiry was successful in moving the course of the road and in re-awakening interest in this fascinating site and its central place within the network of Roman sites built during their occupation of Scotland.
The Trust has recently opened a BRAND NEW £1.2 million, HLF funded museum, increasing its size & scope, the contents, interpretation and reach through careful design & display using a mix of traditional & the latest audio visual displays. The Trust are running more archaeology linked activities and offering new volunteer opportunities.
We have further plans for a new Phase II learning space extension alongside our museum site. This will house a community research and learning centre where families, students, enthusiasts and academics can access a range of innovative technologies (3-D printing, image manipulation, scanning & video editing) alongside visits to historic sites across the Scottish Borders & beyond.
