Building record MAB26901 - BALGOWNIE LINKS

Remains of a network of pill boxes and anti tank blocks dating from World War II.

Remains of a network of pill boxes and anti tank blocks dating from World War II. It extends northwards from the Balgownie Beach South Pillbox (NJ90NE0089) on the north side of the Don lies north of continuing into Aberdeenshire (see Aberdeenshire HER NJ91NE0069), along the edge of dunes and beach. The original position of the anti tank blocks has been altered heavily by coastal erosion in recent years, some at least partially buried in sand. Some no longer stand upright, but lie on their sides, exposing the concrete rafts that they were placed on for stability. During World War Two defensive lines were created on vulnerable coasts. Networks consisted of concrete blocks set in lines over miles linking pillboxes and other defences. Tactically anti tank blocks obstructed the progress of tanks, and exposed their vulnerable undersides to fire should they try to cross. These examples have large jagged rocks embedded in the concrete. This would have the effect of tearing the tracks of a tank that attempted to cross them. Anti-tank blocks were made with a variety of materials including concrete, cast on site. Construction involved pouring concrete into wooden shuttering, leaving the imprints of the wooden planks on the surface of the concrete. On a few of these blocks, where the concrete has eroded, an iron latticework has been exposed embedded in the concrete. Latticework was adopted to enhance the strength of the concrete. Further erosion has exposed a large number of beach pebbles and stones used in the concrete mix. The builders have left some graffiti on the tops of these blocks, written when the concrete was still wet. See also NJ91SE0089. Site visit in 2022 as part of the SCAPE Coastal Zone Assessment Survey recorded anti-tank blocks at various locations: see also NJ90NE0711, NJ91SE0089, NJ91SE0091, NJ91SE0053, NJ91SE0117, NJ91SE0121, NJ91SE0203, NJ91SE0205, NJ91SE0207.

SCAPE, 2023, COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY ABERDEENSHIRE AND CITY OF ABERDEEN: CULLEN TO MILTON NESS, ID 14998 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4866.

Nov 11 1993 , AAS/93/15/G30/11-18, AAS/93/15/G30/11-18 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB34393.

Record last edited

Nov 15 2023 1:51PM