An MSP has called for a new national tourism centre to be built in Perthshire to celebrate its Roman heritage.
Murdo Fraser, deputy Conservative leader in Scotland, said Historic Scotland and the Scottish Government must do more to promote the region’s links with the ancient empire.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, backed by Roman history education group the Antonine Guard, said a Roman centre would boost tourism.
Historic Scotland maintains four Roman sites in Perthshire – Blackhill camp near Braco and three watch towers on the Gask Ridge, near Trinity Gask.
The structures on the ridge, which runs between Perth and Dunblane, are the oldest and most northerly linear defence system in Europe.
Ardoch Fort, which dates back 2,000 years, near Braco, is privately owned.
Perth SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham wants the Roman fort and other remains made a World Heritage Site.
Mr Fraser said: “Perthshire has a rich Roman past and there are several important Roman sites in the area.
“We must ensure that the sites that are maintained by Historic Scotland and by private owners across Scotland are preserved for future generations.
“I want the Scottish Government to do more to promote Roman history and I believe that the next step is to create a National Roman Centre in Scotland.”
Antonine Guard secretary Ron Greer, of Main Street, Blair Atholl, said: “With the Antonine Wall achieving World Heritage status last year, the profile of the Romans in Scotland has been raised.
“We have a Pictish centre in Brechin and a Viking centre in Largs but nothing for the Romans so it seems an obvious gap to fill.”
Mr Greer said a new centre should not be built on the site of Roman remains but near enough to be “relevant”.
Culture Minister Mike Russell, in a written parliamentary answer to Mr Fraser, said Historic Scotland recently helped fund a conference in Perth that examined the earliest Roman presence in Scotland, which may have been earlier than previously thought.
A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland said: “We work with many groups across the country to promote and protect our outstanding Roman heritage. There have been various areas suggested for improved presentation and understanding, not least among the five local authorities that the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site spans, but we have not discussed locating a dedicated Roman centre in Perthshire.”