Jo promotes Antonine Wall heritage bid

1.04.00pm GMT Fri 16th Feb 2007

Jo Swinson is firmly behind the Antonine Wall's bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Jo has called on the expertise of ex-Provost and local historian Robin McSkimming, who is currently writing a book on the history of Bearsden.

Jo and Mr McSkimming viewed three sites during a visit today: the Roman Bathhouse on Roman Road, Bearsden, the stone foundations of the Antonine Wall at Hillfoot Cemetery, off Boclair Road and the reconstructed section of the wall and ditch at Dobbies Garden Centre.

Following the visit, Jo said:

"The Antonine Wall's nomination last month for World Heritage Site status is a really exciting development for the Roman heritage of this area.

"Achieving a top award from UNESCO will ensure international recognition that some of the most important heritage of the Roman Empire can be found right here in East Dunbartonshire.

"Having viewed some of the area's local Roman sites today, I would encourage residents to take the opportunity to learn about East Dunbartonshire's Roman history by doing the same.

"Later this year there will be a visit to the wall by a site evaluator, followed by consideration of the bid by the UNESCO committee, before a final decision in July 2008. I will be doing everything I can to promote the Antonine Wall bid between now and then."

Jo has put forward a motion in Parliament, which has received cross-party support from 30 MPs so far, welcoming the nomination of the Antonine Wall for World Heritage Site status.

Related Links:

Full Text of Jo's Early Day Motion

Historic Scotland

Roman Britain: The Antonine Wall

UNESCO