A professional archaeologist is to share why and how the Roman Empire impacted Scotland.

Dr Alan Leslie will share information surrounding the methodology and reasons behind why the Antonine Wall was built.

He’ll also explore some less well-known facts about life as a Roman soldier on this stunning example of Roman conquest in a talk to be held in Paisley.

This free talk starts at 2pm on Thursday, October 3, in the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, Paisley. Refreshments are available from 1.30pm.

The Antonine wall is a fortification dating back 1900 years and is the most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire. It stretches around 60km from near the Firth of forth, to the River Clyde. Less well known than its stone counterpart, Hadrian’s wall, the fortification was comprised of turf ramparts and a deep ditch – the 60km fortification was pockmarked with forts and fortlets, controlling movement north and south of the wall.

Museums and sites can be found across five local authorities in Scotland, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, and Falkirk.

In 2008 the Antonine Wall was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, as part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.

Dr Alan Leslie said: “The significance of the Antonine Wall relates to its role as part of a physical manifestation of Roman imperial strategic policy, in the form of an empire-wide frontier system constructed and occupied during the height of Rome's power.”

Dr Leslie went on to explain that he finds it interesting “trying to understand the effect of this imposition on the people living in lowland Scotland and how the two groups (Roman soldiers and local population) would have adapted to this situation.”

u3a chair, Kathy O’Donnell, said: “It’s fascinating to realise how far the Roman Empire had reached by AD 142. Hadrian’s Wall in the Borders and the nearby Antonine Wall are now under the care of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. Our members can find out the importance of the Antonine Wall for that period of history and for today.”

u3a is a UK-wide collection of 1000+ charities that provide the opportunity for those no longer in work to come together in their local communities and learn for fun.