Anti-Torpedo Close Protection Pontoons (ATCPP), were experimental devices used for close protection of naval vessels, at anchor in Scapa Flow, from attack by aircraft-launched torpedoes. These pontoons were only used in Scapa Flow for just over a year (March 1941–April 1942) and very few were brought into service. As such […]
Scotland
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30/9/2025 ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10159 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10160 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10161 (Extant)
30/9/2025 SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71981 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71980 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71979 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71978 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: S0015414 (Extant) Not convinced this is a spigot mortar base but it’s in amongst the others.
Roseisle Beach Defences Burghead, Scotland The beach at Roseisle near Burghead were used by the Americans and Canadians for training exercises for the D Day landings. Just off the coast at Findhorn are 8 amphibious tanks that sank during training exercises. What makes them particularly interesting is that they are […]
Anti Invasion Defences. As an enthusiast for all matters relating to the second world war I was very surprised to find when I moved house to Scotland substantial lengths of coastal defences still in place with only small amounts of it being removed and some buried by the continual shifting […]
Defences at Findhorn Findhorn is located on the Moray Firth and is the next settlement to the west of Roseisle. The sandy beaches and easy access inland from same made this area a potentially attractive invasion area. It was therefore heavily fortified. The whole of the peninsular on which the […]
Archaeology Notes NN15NE 6 174 567 quotes the following: “An archaeological survey has been undertaken to inform the National Trust for Scotland of the range of archaeological features on their Glencoe Estate, with additional information relating to historic sources, management, interpretation and possibilities for future research.” NN 174 567 Three […]
Markinch NGR: NO 295 033. The first pictures are of a pillbox over looking the railway line from Kirkcaldy to Leuchars (Edinburgh to Aberdeen). The Pillbox is in very good condition, though full of rubbish. I didn’t have a torch, so I didn’t venture inside. Whitehill Plantation NGR: NO 301 […]
COAST ARTILLERY BATTERY: S0001800 (Extant) On a recent visit to Kincraig near Earls Ferry in Fife, Alan Tait was able to have a look around the Coastal Gun Battery. Although much of it is in a sorry state, it is a good example of some of the larger defence structures […]
Firth Of Forth, Fife NGR: NT186 838 This battery is located on the Firth of Forth near Dalgety Bay, Fife. The battery and surrounding buildings are in pretty good condition. Not too much graffiti and still signs of camo paint on some of the walls. By Gregg Campbell
A type CP/6/40/111 pillbox at the Sands of Wright, Orkney. Thought to have been moved from it’s original position.
One of the two 12pdr temporary mountings for Scad battery – there’s no sign of the other. Pictures and video June 2025. Light (for Orkney) rain falling.
An Unusual Defence Structure at Bandeath Dear Pillbox Study Group Firstly congratulations on an excellent and informative website! I’ve had a browse through the different types of pillbox etc but can’t see anything like the structure in the attached photo, so wondered if you had any ideas. Location is Bandeath, […]
Concentric rings of concrete anchor blocks used to hold the balloon when lowered. These at Neb on Flotta have been exposed by peat cutting.
Located either side of Northside Road in Birsay Latitude / Longitude: 59.13761124, -3.30437422 Easting / Northing: 325461, 1028597 OS Grid Reference: HY 25461 28597 What3Words: ///erupts.dunk.catch
Heading South out of Kirkwall, past the Highland Park distillery, there is, what appears to be, the roof and base of a type 22 pillbox, it looks like the roof has been propped up on bricks and the pillbox removed. This is very close to the line of the Inganess […]
Site Type: PILLBOX (20TH CENTURY) Canmore ID: 296529 Site Number: ND39SW 121 Grid Reference: ND 33922 91339 Description: A small rectangular concrete building with three loopholes is situated above the high water mark about 101m NE of the Martello Tower at Hackness (ND39SW 8). The entrance is in the SE […]
Recently unearthed, this standard type Battle HQ has had it’s roof and cupola removed. The cupola is said to exist amongst a pile of concrete waste elsewhere on the farm. This BHQ is on private land and was visited with permission from the landowner.
A pair of air raid shelters on the small island of Glimps Holm, between Churchill barriers 2 and 3. There are the remains of an old jetty nearby and various artefacts associated with the construction of the Churchill barriers.
Part of Inganess Stop Line. No close ups of this one as on a guided walk.
Pillbox, roofless. It has been incorporated into the fence line and has three strands of fencing wire which have been wound around the pillbox. The fence has now been moved. It is likely that this pillbox is ex-situ.
There are four searchlights installed here and a Twin 6pdr with no overhead cover or director tower. Pictures below from June 2025. Extreme range photo’s taken from Pentalina Ferry.
4 x 12pdr QF guns were emplaced here. The battery remains fairly complete. The magazines are still extant but buried.
A type 22 pillbox with a sunken entrance located at Lyness on Hoy, Orkney.
A type 22 pillbox with a (blocked) sunken entrance located at Lyness on Hoy, Orkney. There is evidence that at least one of the loopholes has been modified using stone and concrete.
This massive WWI building provided a welcome rest and recreation centre for the many troops stationed on Flotta and for the Navy, who came ashore at the nearby St Vincent pier. There was a golf course and several tennis courts. The annual Grand Fleet Boxing Championship was held nearby, where […]
Type 22 pillbox. Location identified from the book “If Hitler Comes” Interesting construction with block built corners and shuttered panels between.
This shelter is situated on the site of the former HMS Tern. Although similar in construction to the Stanton Shelter the internal shape is different in that it is less “pointy”. The “pointier” Stanton shape means the lower walls are more upright thus giving more room for seated occupants of […]
This pillbox is undoubtedly not in it’s original position and appears to have been converted for use as a water tank.
Naval Bombing Decoy (N Series): e18999 – locally known as The Brickie Hut.
Wee Fea Naval Communications And Operational Centre.
Deerness Chain Home Station 50, transmitter/receiver block at HY 5690 0736. Various radar types used inlcuding type 13 (Mk1), height finder and type 51, a high power surface watching set which was similar in appearance to the type 52 (for tracking shipping). Only three type 51 stations were built in […]
Located on the Golta peninsular on the Island of Flotta, This WWI battery initially housed 3 3pdr’s. This was upped to 4 12pdr’s which were transferred from Holm battery . The battery is extremely well preserved and even has blast baffles remaining in one of the trenches to the magazine.
Fairly well preserved HAA Battery located on Bressay, Shetland.
Situated SE of Lerwick, immediately W of Peerie Geo, at the end of the Knab Road, The Knab. Coastal Battery. One gun emplacement and magazine remain. The second gun emplacement has been replaced by the turning circle at the end of the Knab Road.
Coastal Battery, consisting of two searchlight emplacements and one engine house, the latter of which is presently used as a domestic garage. The battery had two 12 pounder guns installed in October 1942 and later reduced to Care and Maintenance in January 1945. In use, the battery had the dual […]
Coastal Battery. The surviving remains of this battery consist of two gun emplacements, magazine, engine room, battery observation post and three searchlight emplacements. In June 1940 two 4-inch guns were emplaced, being replaced in July 1940 by two 6 inch guns. The two 4-inch guns were moved to Calback battery […]
A Chain Home radar station situated on The Skaw, Unst. The installations and buildings cover a large area of The Skaw where the transmitter block, receiver block, engine houses, mast bases and light anti-aircraft emplacements are still to be seen. Designation: CH56 Skaw.
This Chain Home Low Radar Station is situated within the boundary of the lighthouse buildings. The transmitter(Tx) and receiver (Rx) blocks along with the engine room and tower bases are extant. One of the early types of Chain Home Low radar station, begun as separate transmitting and receiver aerials which […]
N of the A970 public road by Goat Camp site, N side of airfield.
This observation building served as the main control centre for the Lyness Naval Base Air Raid Precaution System. There appears to be the remains of a periscope cupola above the (much enlarged) doorway to the front of the building.
The distinctive feature of the Anti-Motorboat Boom is the BAULK: As shown in the sketch the standard baulk is a heavy iron-strapped wood and metal tank fitted with eye bolts and links for connecting the boom jack-stays, two pairs on top and one pair across the center line of the bottom. […]
Located Between St Margarets Hope and Quindry on the road to Hoxa at Ronaldsvoe. The Chimneys are for camouflage only.
An interesting Type 22 with overhanging roof and entrance hatch in that roof. Located in a Private Garden next to Orkney College.
CHL72A Crustan.
In the angle of the junction of Holm Branch road and New Scapa road, Kirkwall.
Norcon pillbox, with flat roof with hatch. Small circular Norcon type concrete pillbox built into the remains of a broch.
A type 22 pillbox of unusual construction. Built by the Royal Marines whilst they were guarding Hatston airfield, the pillbox has been constructed using bags of cement, immersed in water and allowed to dry in that form. Exterior views taken September 2007 – Interior views taken September 2018.
2 x 6″ breech loaders Mk7 on CP2 mountings. There was also a 4.7″ gun on a temporary mount next to the battery. Much of this battery has been destroyed by quarrying.
2 6″ BL Mk7 on CP2 mountings. This battery was built in 1938 and was still in M.O.D. ownership until the late 1990s. It has been preserved and tours are available. See http://www.nessbattery.co.uk/ for more details.
2 x 12pdr Quick Fire in WWII and 2 x 4″ QF in WWI
Sadly, this unique Torpedo Attack Trainer, is rapidly being destroyed by Orkney’s harsh weather. Nearly all of the roof is now missing and the remains of the trainer “sphere” are almost gone. These pictures are from 2007. Research has identified this building as a Submarine Cyclorama Torpedo Attack Teacher. Abbreviated […]
See WW2 Airfield Battle Headquarters (battlehq.info) for more information about Airfield Battle HQs
