Building record MAB3161 - CULBIN SANDS
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Summary
The remains of a large area of anti-landing obstacles (glider traps) that lie over the sand flats to the north of Culbin Forest, on the beach and in the intertidal 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 (3)
Full Description
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. 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.
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;
- 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
Jun 9 2026 1:31PM
