5. Conclusion

Ptolemy's map of Scotland clearly shows a site dedicated to Nike (Victoria) the Roman goddess of victory in what appears to be Strathearn in the vicinity of Rossie Law. We also know that in the Flavian period an army of over twenty thousand men was deployed possibly by sea to the foot of this hill fort. Moreover, at this time Rossie Law was probably known as Dun Crub or Crup, a name that may have been echoed in Tacitus' Mons Graupius. Therefore given these various strands of evidence a very strong case can be made for considering the site of the battle of Mons Graupius at Rossie Law near Dunning, especially when one looks at the limited and problematic evidence from alternative sites in Scotland. The line of Flavian marching camps that move from Carpow to Dunning would be consistent with a significant Roman military intervention in the region around the time of Agricola. However until the excavation of some conclusive piece of evidence the debate will rage. Nevertheless, while we cannot say definitely Rossie Law is the site of Tacitus’ Mons Graupius, there is compelling grounds for its consideration.