Building record MAB3161 - CULBIN SANDS
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
The remains of a large area of anti-landing obstacles (glider traps) lie over the sand flats to the north of Culbin Forest, on the beach and inter-tidal zone.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 11671
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 9548 6164 (7659m by 5504m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH96SE |
| Authority | Moray |
| Civil Parish | Forres |
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
The remains of a large area of anti-landing obstacles (glider traps) lie over the sand flats to the north of Culbin Forest, on the beach and inter-tidal zone. The obstacle covers a distance of just over 9 km across the Gut at Culbin Sands. They survive as rows of timber poles, some still standing to full height. Others only stand to circa 1 m high. In October 2009, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey was undertaken by Forest Research, an agency of the Forestry Commission, on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland and the Forest Heritage Scotland project. The survey was undertaken in order to accurately plot the anti-glider defences at Culbin Forest. Hundreds of poles remain standing within a tidal lagoon, protected by sand dunes and forest. However, many have been reduced to little more than stumps. The data gathered by the LiDAR survey provides a detailed record of the surviving remains and has been used to inform further interpretation of the site that also illustrates the techniques involved.
KEILLAR, I, 1990, MORAY IN THE 1939-45 WAR; TWO MORAY SOCIETY LECTURES (6 AND 13 MARCH 1990) (Bibliographic reference). SAB1028.
FORESTRY COMMISSION, 2009, INTRODUCTION TO CULBIN WWII ANTI-GLIDER DEFENCES (Bibliographic reference). SAB2518.
FOX, S, 2012, DEFENDING BRITAIN'S BACK DOOR: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MORAYSHIRE'S SECOND WORLD WAR DEFENCE LANDSCAPE (Bibliographic reference). SAB2549.
BARCLAY, G, 2013, IF HITLER COMES. PREPARING FOR INVASION: SCOTLAND 1940, p.176, Fig 12.2 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3792.
SCAPE , 2023, COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY MORAY: CULBIN TO CULLEN (Bibliographic reference). SAB4861.
Oct 21 1999 , GR/99/CT181-192/WW, GR/99/CT181-192/WW (Ground Photograph). SAB31513.
Sep 20 2011 , FCS-AP-14-03-027 - 118, FCS-AP-14-03-027 - 118 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB30821.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: MOR;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 11671;
- NMR Card Number: NH96SE12;
- NRHE Numlink: 302348;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NH96SE0006;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM11671 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/302348 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (7)
- --- SAB1028 Bibliographic reference: KEILLAR, I. 1990. MORAY IN THE 1939-45 WAR; TWO MORAY SOCIETY LECTURES (6 AND 13 MARCH 1990).
- --- SAB2518 Bibliographic reference: FORESTRY COMMISSION. 2009. INTRODUCTION TO CULBIN WWII ANTI-GLIDER DEFENCES.
- --- SAB2549 Bibliographic reference: FOX, S. 2012. DEFENDING BRITAIN'S BACK DOOR: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MORAYSHIRE'S SECOND WORLD WAR DEFENCE LANDSCAPE.
- --- SAB30821 Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 20 2011 . FCS-AP-14-03-027 - 118. Digital. FCS-AP-14-03-027 - 118.
- --- SAB31513 Ground Photograph: Oct 21 1999 . GR/99/CT181-192/WW. Colour Transparency. GR/99/CT181-192/WW.
- --- SAB3792 Bibliographic reference: BARCLAY, G. 2013. IF HITLER COMES. PREPARING FOR INVASION: SCOTLAND 1940. p.176, Fig 12.2.
- --- SAB4861 Bibliographic reference: SCAPE . 2023. COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY MORAY: CULBIN TO CULLEN.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Jan 13 2026 1:04PM
