Have you ever wondered how these defences came about?
Roseisle Beach Defences.
Those of you who visit Roseisle Forest and walk along the beach cannot help but notice the remains of the wartime beach defences – the concrete blocks, the pillboxes and the odd metal or wooden pole sticking out the sand.
These were built during 1940 at the time that similar defences were being constructed around Scotland’s beaches – those beaches that the authorities thought were vulnerable to attack either from the sea or from the air.
At the time is was felt that an invasion could be launched from Norway which had fallen to the German forces earlier in the year.
The anti-aircraft stakes were placed to prevent planes or gliders landing at low tide. The remains of some of these stakes are occasionally visible although most have now been lost to the action of the waves. (The groups of wooden stakes near the low water mark are more likely to be associated with the old salmon fishing industry based along this beach). If you see the odd piece of scaffolding pole sticking out the sand it may be the remains of some that was dumped after the original idea for the scaffolding to be erected on the beach to add to the effectiveness of the concrete blocks was abandoned in 1941 or 42.
It may be that there are some local residents who remember these defences being constructed. If you have any information please just get in touch at davidhetherington@roseisle-news.com
To be continued….
Thanks for posting the history of the Burghead beach defences David. Hope to read more about this in your next post
Thanks for the information, we always wondered if this is what they were for or if they were just there for army training purposes. What would be interesting to know is why they were left there and not removed after the war? Any ideas?
Thanks Gill.
I reckon once the war was over they didn’t want to spend the (huge amount of) money required to remove all these defences. They did remove things like roadblocks which hindered movement on the roads but the stuff that was not in anyone’s way they just left.
They might also have thought maybe we should keep them just in case we need them in the future.
Let’s hope we never do need the defenses again David!