Plans to make The Antonine Wall a top tourist attraction

It provides a framework for the management, conservation, promotion and interpretation of the wall from 2014-19.

The wall, which runs from Bo’ness on the River Forth to Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde, was made a World Heritage Site in 2008.

When it was built, in the years following AD 142, it was the most complex frontier ever constructed by the Roman Army.

There are many sections exposed in East Dunbartonshire - such as foundation work at New Kilpatrick Cemetery and at Dobbies Garden Centre in Bearsden.

Bearsden also boasts its famous bath house site on Roman Road, which runs along the route of the wall.

In Kirkintilloch, a section of the wall can be seen at Peel Park.

The Antonine Wall is one of five World Heritage Sites in Scotland along with St Kilda, New Lanark, Heart of Neolithic Orkney, and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh.

The new management plan was widely consulted on during its development and includes many actions requested by local groups, community councils and others.

As well as ensuring that the Antonine Wall is suitably managed to safeguard it, the plan seeks to establish the Wall as a ‘world class visitor experience’.

Over the next five years, the aim is to strengthen local, national and international partnerships, create a new website dedicated to it, improve signage and paths and strengthening linkswith museums.

The management plan was drawn up by Historic Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Council, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, who will all work to implement it.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: “The Antonine Wall is a site that has international recognition as part of a serial transnational World Heritage Site. This plan will allow valuable opportunities in the areas of learning, tourism and research to be advanced.

“The Antonine Wall is enjoyed and appreciated by many individuals and groups, not only within Scotland, but nationally and internationally. The actions and ambitions set out in this management plan will help to improve their experiences of, and engagement with, the World Heritage Site for the next five years.”