The Outpost Forts
North of Hadrian's Wall 7 major forts and several fortlets are known as outposts. In the Hadrianic period only three of them (Birrens, Netherby and Bewcastle) were occupied. Since all three were located in the east they probably guarded the Brigantian territory that projected north of Hadrian's Wall. Newstead, Cappuck, High Rochester and Risingham were built in the Flavian period but they were abandoned under Trajan. With the Antonine occupation these forts along Dere Street were recommissioned and even after the re-occupation of Hadrian's Wall they remained occupied. In the AD 180s Newstead, Cappuck, Risingham and Birrens (presumably High Rochester too) were abandoned. After the Severan campaigns four outpost forts (Netherby, Bewcastle, Risingham and High Rochester) remained in use. All of them were occupied by a cohors milliaria equitata (besides the ala milliaria the most powerful auxiliary units) that garanteed a strong grip on Lowland Scotland.
Birrens is located just north of Carlisle and controlled the approach towards the Firth of Solway. It was occupied first in the Flavian period and became an outpost fort under Hadrian. With the Antonine occupation the fort was rebuilt in stone.	Antonine Fort Plan	It was destroyed in the AD 150s (possibly by enemy action) and the building inscription from AD 158 provided a part of the evidence for the chronology of the Antonine occupation of Scotland. Birrens
South Shields - Wallsend - Benwell - Chesters - Carrawbrugh - Housesteads - Birdoswald