When In Rome

Beth McHugh visits Trimontium Museum to learn the story of Scotland's greatest Roman fort

- Beth McHugh

As Rachel and I paraded across the sodden grass in eager search of the fort site, gratefully raising our hoods as the drizzle graduated to a fully fledged shower, it crossed my mind that we might understand a little more of each other across the millennia than we tend to acknowledge.

We'd made the short trip from Melrose out to the Trimontium Fort site for its highly anticipated open day in September with promises of Roman dancing, guided tours and a ballista demonstration.

Visitors were greeted by volunteers bringing the past to life. Among them was Allan Mackenzie, known in his Roman guise as Alanis Maximus Aurelius. Dressed as a legionary soldier, Allan was quick to share both his enthusiasm and his journey into volunteering.

"I've always liked history," he said, "but I wasn't particularly involved with it before. When we moved here after I retired, I was looking for something interesting to do. I'd heard a few people saying that the Trust was great with volunteers - and they're absolutely brilliant."

Allan gives at least one day a week to Trimontium, helping at the museum, the shop and at community events, including family fun days.