Geograph - photograph every grid square

NO 7256. Along the southern shore of the South Esk estuary, there are a number of WW11, coastal defences. Prime among these military defences were two fortified gun emplacements, built into the river cliff, and pill boxes. One of the pillboxes is inscribed with the name “Gordon Highlanders.” These defensive sites had a commanding view of the estuary and from them any hostile manoeuvres could be quickly spotted and acted upon. The unobstructed line of fire along the estuary acted as a strategic line of defence for the harbour and for the town of Montrose.
The river mouth fortifications were built and manned by Polish troops billeted in Ferryden and by British troops and units of the Home Guard. The gun emplacements are inscribed, in English and Polish, with the words “For Poland and Victory.” As a youngster in the 1950’s, I used to explore the fortifications but now the entrances are boarded up due to their unsafe condition and collapsed tunnels.
A discussion point relates to the future of these wartime defences. Should they be left to nature, made safe or made into a tourist feature?
Adrian L Diack M.A. (Hons)


NO7256 : World War II artillery emplacement on the banks of the River South EskNO7256 : Artillery emplacement on the banks of the River South Esk