George Hogg: Dr John Reid - The Romans in the Borders

Hawick Rotary's members had a most enjoyable and very interesting return to Mansfield House Hotel on Thursday 19^th, it having been one day short of a year since they had last met in person. After their very welcome hotel meal, their speaker for the evening was Dr John Reid – Chairman of the Trimontium Trust, who joined the meeting via Zoom, and was introduced by club member George Hogg. The subject of his talk was “The Romans in the Borders”

Dr Reid spoke of how he first became interested in Roman history during his teens and went on to explain how the Romans (from around 79AD) developed and built the Trimontium fort at Newstead near Melrose. He highlighted how they, during their occupation of Southern Scotland, had a big influence throughout the whole of the Borders. He mentioned their presence locally around Hawick, around the Penchrise Pen and Ruberslaw areas. He also spoke of his involvement with regard to the facial reconstruction of Trimontium Man, which was configured from a skull excavated from one of the pits at Trimontium.

Dr Reid also mentioned the Trusts new, state of the art, museum in Melrose which just opened to the public on the 2^nd of August this year, as well as the Trust's further development plans, where they hope to expand the museum even further by incorporating a new educational centre and library.

Dr Reid’s talk was well received, and very much enjoyed, by our club members. The vote of thanks was given by Club President Scott Elliot .

This was of course the first time a physical meeting of the members had enjoyed hearing a speaker on Zoom, and this style was much appreciated, giving members confidence for holding similar evenings in the future.