The fort sits on the River Tay where the River Almond joins it. There is thought to have been a bridge over the Tay at this point. This fort would have protected the bridge and may also have been a supply point down to Ardoch as well as up Strathmore. The River Tay is tidal up to this point, and Agricola is said to have reached the river in 80 AD. “The military expeditions of the third year discovered new nations to the Romans, and their ravages extended as far as the estuary of the Tay.” ( see Tacitus 23)
Visit Bertha Roman Fort
📍 Location: At the confluence of the Rivers Tay and Almond, north of Perth
👁 What survives: Nothing of the fort is clearly visible above ground today.
⭐ Best for: Understanding Roman control of a strategic Tay crossing and route into Strathmore.
🥾 Visit: Primarily a landscape stop; the archaeological remains are buried.
🏛 Nearby Roman places: Inchtuthil, Strageath and the Gask Ridge
Bertha at a glance
| Occupation | Flavian occupation with Antonine reuse; later activity has also been suggested, but a continuous occupation is not established. |
| Garrison | The resident unit has not been securely identified in the evidence summarised here. |
| Size | At least 3.9 hectares (9.6 acres) overall in the HES record. |
| Troop estimate | A substantial auxiliary force is possible, but the layout and mixture of infantry and cavalry do not yet support a secure numerical total. |
Inscriptions
A dedication to Discipulina Augusti recovered from the Tay near the fort is discussed by the Roman Gask Project. It contributes to discussion of later activity but does not name a resident regiment.
References
Bertha Roman Fort (Trove NRHE)
