Bellie

Bellie is a small locality in Moray, Scotland, set beside the River Spey near Fochabers. The remains of an old parish church lie two miles north of the village, though only its graveyard survives today. A newer Bellie Kirk stands in Fochabers, built in 1798 to replace the ancient structure. Two possible Roman camps have been identified in the area, which would make them the most northerly known examples if confirmed. One of these sites, Romancamp Gate, sits 100 metres north-east of the old church, with a steep cliff overlooking the river. The first site was recorded in 1799 by antiquarian George Chalmers, who described its rectangular shape and size. In the mid-20th century, O. G. S. Crawford questioned its Roman origins due to its small size and lack of gates, though later aerial surveys revealed ditches. A 1964 discovery of two silver pieces dated to AD51 added intrigue, but no further evidence confirmed its Roman use. The second site, 400 metres south, was excavated in 1967 by Kenneth St Joseph, who traced a deep V-shaped ditch suggesting a Flavian-period camp. Visitors to Bellie find a quiet riverside setting with traces of its past. The old church’s graveyard remains preserved, while the newer kirk in Fochabers serves the community. The landscape around Romancamp Gate shows the remains of ditches and cropmarks, hinting at its possible Roman use. Nearby fields bear further marks visible from the air, suggesting more of the camp’s outline. The River Spey’s banks provide a scenic backdrop to these historical remnants.