Roman toilets were communal and going there was a sit-down social activity. In Scotland, the toilets were all attached to military forts. In the Roman Empire toilets were lavishly decorated.

The most famous Roman toilet in Scotland is at the Bearsden bathhouse where scientists have delighted in analysing and finding out what the Romans ate. Some of the items are

• Dried figs (shipped to Bearsden from the Mediterranean)
• Celery
• Lentils and beans
• Coriander, dill and opium poppies for flavouring
• Mint
• Emmer wheat for porridge, Spelt wheat for bread
• Barley for soup
• Raspberries, blackberries, celery and hazelnuts
• Olive oil

There was no toilet paper. Moss or a sponge on a stick called a terosium was used.