Historian's Photobucket media

BlisterHangarDunino.jpg

Historian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:51:10 MST

Historian posted a photo

BlisterHangarDunino.jpg

A Blister Hangar at the Royal Navy airfield at Dunino, Fife (HMS Jackdaw II). These were designed to offer the smallest possible target to enemy bombers. (Photo: Jim Bain)

DuninoTower.jpg

Historian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:42 MST

Historian posted a photo

DuninoTower.jpg

The Royal Navy style control tower at Dunino. Several buildings remain around the technical site, and are now used for agriculture. (Photo: Jim Bain)

LethanMuir003.jpg

Historian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:46 MST

Historian posted a photo

LethanMuir003.jpg

Part of the mounting frame for the platform.

LethanMuir002.jpg

Historian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:29 MST

Historian posted a photo

LethanMuir002.jpg

LethanMuir001.jpg

Historian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:06 MST

Historian posted a photo

LethanMuir001.jpg

This installation is opposite Knock Hill racing circuit, Fife. Accommodation building is on the left, while the other held the generator equipment.

Aberlady034.jpg

Historian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:04:03 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Aberlady034.jpg

Aberlady032.jpg

Historian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:03:40 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Aberlady032.jpg

Originally part of the East Lothian Coastal Crust defences, this wall would have stopped enemy armour leaving the beach at the south end of Aberlady Bay.

Aberlady031.jpg

Historian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:03:16 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Aberlady031.jpg

This wall sits beside the A198 at the east end of Aberlady, East Lothian, where the road heads for Gullane.

MarkinchStation002.jpg

Historian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:51:36 MDT

Historian posted a photo

MarkinchStation002.jpg

This concrete anti-tank wall and associated roadblock seal off the eastern embankment in Markinch railway station, Fife.

WARNING!

Historian — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:53:51 MDT

Historian posted a photo

WARNING! - GarletonHills001.jpg

A standard pattern hut at the former RAF DF station on the Garleton Hills, near Haddington, in East Lothian. All of the sites shown here are AT LEAST sixty years old, and not all of the are in the condition of this one. They were built quickly and cheaply, and in many cases used materials like Asbestos which are now known to be poisonous. Do NOT enter them alone, without a torch, or if you cannot CLEARLY see the floor.

Welcome!

Historian — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:53:38 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Welcome! - DavidStirlingMemorial002.jpg

This site aims to show the best examples of surviving military buildings in Scotland from two World Wars. These vast conflict resulted in many thousands of various types of buildings being constructed for a variety of purpose, of which very few now remain. However, Scotland fares better in this respect than the South of England, where the massive postwar building boom has all but obliterated the military heritage. I've always been fascinated by old military sites, and have spent many a happy hour exploring gunsites and camps trying to figure out where each fitted into the overall defence scheme. I've tried to present these pictures in their correct context so as to convey their full historical importance. Enjoy!

All photos this page (C) Stesh 2009

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:10:12 MDT

Historian posted a photo

All photos this page (C) Stesh 2009 - 11-04-09_1706.jpg

This is the other part of the battery at Hoxa. One of the searchlights designed for night actions.

11-04-09_1707.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:10:09 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1707.jpg

11-04-09_1711.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:10:05 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1711.jpg

One of the pits for the 6 pounder guns. This battery also orginally had 12 pounder guns mounted.

11-04-09_1712.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:10:00 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1712.jpg

11-04-09_1714.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:58 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1714.jpg

11-04-09_1715.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:54 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1715.jpg

The underground magazine.

11-04-09_1717.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:50 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1717.jpg

11-04-09_1723.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:48 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1723.jpg

Engine room to provide the battery's power.

11-04-09_1726.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:44 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1726.jpg

The magazine interior.

11-04-09_1728.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:40 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1728.jpg

11-04-09_1730.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:37 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1730.jpg

BOP.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:33 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BOP.jpg

The Battery Observation Post.

CASL.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:29 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CASL.jpg

DSCF1153.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:26 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1153.jpg

These may the foundations for Nissen hut accommodation.

DSCF1154.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:21 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1154.jpg

Possibly the remains of the canteen, or Officer's Mess.

DSCF1156.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:17 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1156.jpg

Engine room interior again.

DSCF1164.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:14 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1164.jpg

DSCF1170.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:09 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1170.jpg

The second magazine.

EngineHouse.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:06 MDT

Historian posted a photo

EngineHouse.jpg

Blockhouse wing on end of gunpit.

Gunpit.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:09:00 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Gunpit.jpg

The gunpit itself.

Magazine.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:08:57 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Magazine.jpg

And the crew stand-by building.

All photos this page (c) Stesh 2009

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:45 MDT

Historian posted a photo

All photos this page (c) Stesh 2009 - 13-04-09_1638.jpg

Crew standby room. This battery had 12 pounder quick-firing guns, and had also been a signal station in WW1.

13-04-09_1639.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:38 MDT

Historian posted a photo

13-04-09_1639.jpg

The 12 pounder gunpit.

13-04-09_1645.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:31 MDT

Historian posted a photo

13-04-09_1645.jpg

The lights themselves are on the beach, with a flight of steps down to them.

13-04-09_1647.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:24 MDT

Historian posted a photo

13-04-09_1647.jpg

The centre light had the longest beam, with the two on either side shooting shorter beams slightly to one side. The idea was to create a parabolic arc to illuminate an entire area of the sea.

13-04-09_1652.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:17 MDT

Historian posted a photo

13-04-09_1652.jpg

A surface boom strecthed across the water from this battery to the cliffs of Hoy.

DSCF1235.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:06:11 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1235.jpg

All photos this page (C) Stesh 2009

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:58 MDT

Historian posted a photo

All photos this page (C) Stesh 2009 - 11-04-09_1729.jpg

This large battery was built on the northern part of Hoxa Head, overlooking Sound of Hoxa, the main southern approach to Scapa Flow, which was the main Royal Navy base in both world wars.

11-04-09_1734.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:55 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1734.jpg

The Battery Observation Post which would direct the battery's fire. This battery originally had twin 12 pounder guns in 1940, but in April 1941 these were replaced by twin 6 pounders. These quick-firing guns were designed to stop enemy torpedo boats penetrating the Sound.

11-04-09_1736.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:52 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1736.jpg

There are also magazines, searchlights, and an accommodation camp.

11-04-09_1739.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:49 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1739.jpg

11-04-09_1749.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:44 MDT

Historian posted a photo

11-04-09_1749.jpg

Holdfast bolts in the gunpit.

DSCF1188.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:40 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1188.jpg

DSCF1194.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:35 MDT

Historian posted a photo

DSCF1194.jpg

The gunpit. The rooms to the rear would have personnel shelters, and for servicing the guns.

Engineshed.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:02:28 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Engineshed.jpg

Engine house for the generators. There were generally two of these, in case one was destroyed by enemy fire.

HoundPoint008.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:38:36 MDT

Historian posted a photo

HoundPoint008.jpg

HoundPoint007.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:38:16 MDT

Historian posted a photo

HoundPoint007.jpg

Western gun.

HoundPoint006.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:37:38 MDT

Historian posted a photo

HoundPoint006.jpg

This is the eastern gun, and you can clearly see how the remodelling left the 'wedding cake' shape seen today. This was the fire control room for this gun.

HoundPoint005.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:37:11 MDT

Historian posted a photo

HoundPoint005.jpg

Bunker, comprising three rooms. The battery was decommissioned in December 1916.

HoundPoint003.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:36:39 MDT

Historian posted a photo

HoundPoint003.jpg

Hound Point battery at Dalmeny, on the south side of the Forth. Originally a Victorian battery of 6 pounder guns, it was remodelled to take 12 pounders just before WW1.

CharlesHill026.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:12:33 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill026.jpg

CharlesHill013.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:12:10 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill013.jpg

Spigot mortar mounting for the 29mm Blacker Bombard, or Northover Projector. This was widely issued fom 1941 for close defence, and fired a dustbin-sized charge which was capable of destroying early German tanks.

CharlesHill012.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:11:43 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill012.jpg

Mountings for the anti-submarine boom net which stretched from this battery across to Inchmickery island in the background. From there it stretched across to Cramond Island on the south side. Part of the net can still be seen behind the pillars.

CharlesHill011.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:11:21 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill011.jpg

Mounting poles for unrotated projectiles (rockets!) next to the site of the Battery Observation Post. The rockets were fired in salvos against dive bombers to disrupt their aim. Another one was mounted at the opposite end of the site.

CharlesHill010.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:10:58 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill010.jpg

This hand-painted 'V' for victory graffiti must have been painted just before, or not long after, the battery was abandoned postwar.

CharlesHill009.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:10:26 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill009.jpg

Battery office. Note the original camouflage paint.

CharlesHill008.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:09:57 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill008.jpg

Lyon light, designed to illuminate the shore in the event of an enemy landing. A 75mm gun was mounted nearby for local defence.

CharlesHill007.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:09:33 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill007.jpg

Each building had its own generator, and the searchlghts were protected by steel shutters when not in use.

CharlesHill006.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:09:00 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill006.jpg

Coast Artillery Defence Lights, just west of the guns. The centre light had the longest range, while the other two fell just short either side, the idea being to create a parabolic pool of light for night engagements.

CharlesHill005.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:08:36 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill005.jpg

Holdfast bolts.

CharlesHill004.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:08:13 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill004.jpg

Another view of the platform. A local heritage group cleaned the site up years ago, and installed crush barriers for visitor's safety.

CharlesHill003.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:07:52 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill003.jpg

Entrance to the underground magazine. The cast iron pipe seen helps to firmly date the buildings' construction to pre 1939.

CharlesHill002.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:07:30 MDT

Historian posted a photo

CharlesHill002.jpg

Ths ww2 batery at Aberdour Bay, Fife, was originally a prewar militia camp. The gunpit originally had a cantilevered concrete roof, but this collapsed years ago. The battery had twin-mounted 6 pounder Quick-firing guns, designed to engage enemy surface craft.

BraefootPlantation015.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:04:34 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation015.jpg

Mounting blocks for the iron railings which originally surrounded the perimeter in lieu of barbed wire. War Office plans show the battery was supposed to be surrounded by trenches, but these were never built.

BraefootPlantation014.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:04:13 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation014.jpg

Supply jetty at the west end.

BraefootPlantation013.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:03:50 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation013.jpg

Rear of the defended barracks. Between the two blocks were the cookhouse, latrines and mess halls.

BraefootPlantation012.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:03:32 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation012.jpg

Another shot of number 1 gunpit.

BraefootPlantation011.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:02:48 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation011.jpg

This one was built overhanging the cliff, and overlooking the beach path.

BraefootPlantation010.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:02:20 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation010.jpg

Behind this one is the original access path to the beach, now destroyed by a landslide.

BraefootPlantation009.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:01:53 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation009.jpg

One of three unusual pillboxes on the site, thought to date from late in WW1.

BraefootPlantation008.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:01:07 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation008.jpg

This blockhouse sits on the highest part of the hill, in the centre of the battery.

BraefootPlantation007.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:00:44 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation007.jpg

BraefootPlantation006.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 14:00:21 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation006.jpg

Battery Observation Post and Command Post, from where any firing was controlled.

BraefootPlantation005.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:59:55 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation005.jpg

Number two gunpit. The newly-formed Forestry Commission acquired the land after WW2 and extensively planted it with native British species of trees. There was a similarly sized battery along the coast at Kinghorn, and when it was decommissioned in 1956, someone bought the land and built a home in one of the gunpits!

BraefootPlantation004.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:59:23 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation004.jpg

This blockhouse sits on the shore beneath the west end of the battery, and guards the supply jetty. The steel poles on either side of the windows supported steel shutters originally.

BraefootPlantation003.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:58:55 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation003.jpg

The magazine was built directly into a purpose-built gully in the rock. A tram line ran from here to both gunpits to supply them with ammunition.

BraefootPlantation002.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:58:10 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation002.jpg

One end of the battery's defended barracks. The windows were designed to be partially closed by steel shutters, so that troops could return fire. The battery was abandoned in 1917 for unknown reasons, but reused in WW2.

BraefootPlantation001.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 13:57:14 MDT

Historian posted a photo

BraefootPlantation001.jpg

#1 gunpit, designed to mount a 9.2 inch naval gun to cover the Firth of Forth. This battery at Dalgety Bay, Fife was built 1914-15 and was part of a line of defences intended to close the Firth to enemy shipping. Not all of the planned installations were built though.

Lochend022.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:29:35 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend022.jpg

Lochend021.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:29:11 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend021.jpg

Lochend020.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:28:48 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend020.jpg

Lochend019.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:28:25 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend019.jpg

Lochend018.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:28:04 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend018.jpg

This was probably the bathhouse, since there are remains of urinals to be seen on the platforms on either side.

Lochend014.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:27:35 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend014.jpg

Lochend009.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:27:10 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend009.jpg

These huts seem to have varied in size, from guard huts to dormitories.

Lochend008.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:26:44 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend008.jpg

Lochend006.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:26:21 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend006.jpg

Lochend004.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:25:53 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend004.jpg

Lochend003.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:25:28 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend003.jpg

Lochend002.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:25:03 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend002.jpg

The battalion formed part of the 9th Training Reserve Brigade based in Dunfermline. This was probably the communal building, since there appears to be a concrete 'stage' in the western corner.

Lochend001.jpg

Historian — Sat, 9 May 2009 10:24:35 MDT

Historian posted a photo

Lochend001.jpg

This camp just north of Dunfermline was originally a cavalry barracks in 1914, but by 1916 had been converted into a training camp. The 11th Reserve Bn Black Watch occupied it from May 1916 until the Armistice. All that remain now are the two brick buildings seen here, and around a dozen concrete hut bases.

PortEdgar001.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:22:59 MDT

Historian posted a photo

PortEdgar001.jpg

This was a major naval base on the south shore of the River Forth at South Queensferry. Opened before WW2 it included a naval hospital with full facilities.

PortEdgar002.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:22:47 MDT

Historian posted a photo

PortEdgar002.jpg

The base closed in 1959 and is now a marina. The Forth Road Bridge was built over the top of the old base in 1964. These huts are all that remain of the wartime buildings.

PortEdgar003.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:22:38 MDT

Historian posted a photo

PortEdgar003.jpg

It was also the site of HMS Lochinvar, training and operations centre for minesweeping ships.

PortEdgar004.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:22:27 MDT

Historian posted a photo

PortEdgar004.jpg

GarletonHills003.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:13:49 MDT

Historian posted a photo

GarletonHills003.jpg

The radio equipment was located in this building, which has been reused for modern mobile phone masts. The original baffle walls protect the doors, which are still painted in Air Ministry blue.

GarletonHills004.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:13:41 MDT

Historian posted a photo

GarletonHills004.jpg

Close up of the remnants of the original aerial mast.

GarletonHills005.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:13:31 MDT

Historian posted a photo

GarletonHills005.jpg

GarletonHills001.jpg

Historian — Thu, 7 May 2009 10:12:04 MDT

Historian posted a photo

GarletonHills001.jpg

Accommodation hut for the Direction Finding station on the outskirts of Haddington. This provided a homing signal for aircraft looking for Drem and East Fortune airfields.