Longfaugh Mains

Did the stones of Longfaugh Mains whisper secrets of Roman coins? We stand here, before the weathered remains of Longfaugh Mains, a place etched with echoes of Scotland’s past. Longfaugh Mains, once a bustling farm, now lies in ruins, yet its story remains vibrant. Longfaugh Mains isn’t just about crumbling walls; it’s about a circular fort, perched on the ridge west of the farmhouse. Imagine concentric ramparts, likely built of earth from the very ditch that separated them. Perhaps they were faced with stone or sturdy timber, standing tall against the elements. Longfaugh Mains guards a hidden treasure. Twelve Roman coins, discovered around 1785, hint at a Roman presence here. This discovery links Longfaugh Mains to the vast Roman Empire, adding a layer of intrigue to its story. In 1913, investigators meticulously documented the fort at Longfaugh Mains. They described it as roughly circular, measuring about 275 feet from east to west, and slightly less from north to south. The inner rampart, even then, rose an impressive five feet above the inner level. They noted the possibility of an entrance on the east side, where both inner and outer ramparts showed a break. Later, in 1975, another survey revealed that Longfaugh Mains fort was about 130 meters in diameter. The western portion of the inner rampart was best preserved, reaching a height of three meters. The name, Longfaugh Mains, appears in the 1852-1853 Ordnance Survey Name Books for Midlothian. It’s described as a former farm steading, now housing farm laborers, primarily those working on the Longfaugh farm. The land was owned by Captain Callender. In the same survey, the fort at Longfaugh Mains is referred to as a “Roman Camp.” The surveyors acknowledged, however, that its circular shape suggests a British origin. The interior, enclosed by a stone wall and filled with large trees, further fueled the debate about its true origins. Longfaugh Mains offers a glimpse into a rich past, where Roman coins mingled with the everyday lives of farm laborers. As you gaze upon these ruins, imagine the fort in its prime, the ramparts reaching towards the sky. Consider the lives lived within its walls, the stories they could tell. Longfaugh Mains, a place where history whispers.