Building record MAB26938 - BURN OF MUNDURNO

World War II pillbox.

World War II pillbox. This is the most northerly pillbox that survives on this stretch of coast line, within the boundaries of the City of Aberdeen . During World War Two, following the fall of Norway and Denmark in May 1940, an invasion directly to the east coast of Scotland was a serious possibility. Inland defence initially hinged on the use of major anti-tank stop-lines, to delay the enemy and his tanks as they continued inland. They were placed at strategic locations, like this one at the mouth of the river. Due to coastal erosion the pillbox is currently upside down, with only its foundations and lower walls visible. The foundations were made of five concrete sewer pipes which had been set vertically. On top of them, a concrete plinth supports the pillbox. Close inspection reveals that the pillbox has an irregular hexagonal plan. However the entrance and longer wall currently face the east and look out to the sea. Undoubtedly the entrance would have once been at the farthest point from the sea, providing a safe exit route. If this pillbox follows the regular design of the others on this beach, loop hole firing positions would be on each of the other five sides (see NJ90NE0089, NJ91SE0109, NJ91SE0045). Construction of this pillbox involved pouring concrete into wooden shuttering. The external walls of this pillbox bear the signs of its construction. The wooden boards from the shuttering can be seen imprinted on the smooth concrete. A number of anti-tank blocks survive around the mouth of the burn, concentrated at this vulnerable location, which might have provided easy access off the beach for an invading force. At the time of site visit in November 2022 as part of the SCAPE Coastal Zone Assessment Survey only four sewer pipes were visible, the fifth possibly buried in sand behind the pillbox. See also NJ91SE0003.

SMR-1-10-20 A, 23A, SMR-1-10-20 A, 23A (Ground Photograph). SAB36422.

SCAPE, 2023, COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY ABERDEENSHIRE AND CITY OF ABERDEEN: CULLEN TO MILTON NESS, ID 15098 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4866.

Record last edited

Jan 5 2024 12:31PM