Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    972
    Thanks
    198
    Thanked 323 Times in 291 Posts

    Default Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    I was born and brought up in this area and had no idea this place existed until I saw Derelict-UK's post on it - as I was in the area over the weekend it seemed rude not to have a wee ganders around it.

    I had no idea just how big this site was - you could easily spend a day wandering around here.

    For those interested in the history:

    History of Edingham Munitions Factory (From Matthew Taylor of Edingham Farm

    The people of Dalbeattie who were born and raised here, or whose families lived here, have heard many stories about the WW2 Munitions Factory at Edingham and know it well. Indeed, many of the older people in the town may have worked there and have a fund of stories to tell. For newcomers or tourists coming to Dalbeattie there is curiosity about the buildings, mounds and humps around Edingham, on the outskirts of the town as you approach from Dumfries.

    Edingham was built in 1939. McAlpine Construction was given the contract on a time and materials basis which meant there was no restriction to the final cost which amounted to £3.5 million.

    Most of the factory was built by hand. Drag lines and basic diggers which had no cabs or hydraulic rams, were also used. Over 3000 men, the majority of them Irish, were used in the building and labouring. The Irish navvies stayed in wooden huts, which were later used to house prisoners of war from 1943 to 1947.


    Ideally Situated

    The area for the site was taken from six farmers who were paid a minimal fee. The total site was 300 acres, 180 of which came from Edingham Farm. One of the main reasons for choosing this site was the fact that the Dumfries to Stranraer railway line passed through it, making it an ideal location with easy transportation of cordite and nitro-glycerine for onward processing.


    Security and Safety of Great Importance

    It took 8 miles of high security fencing to surround the site, which was made up of two identical halves, so as to prevent production being interrupted if a key building was hit and put out of action.

    The buildings themselves were dug into the earth and then surrounded by steep sides, like a large pudding basin. This ensured that, should an explosion occur, the force of the blast went upwards causing less damage, and not outwards to damage other parts of the site.

    Cordite and nitro-glycerine were the main products manufactured. These highly dangerous products were hauled around by unshod horses and carts, supplied by farmers, to prevent any sparks which might have sent the place sky-high.

    Post-War Uses of the Site

    The railway line continued in use for the public until the early 1960s.

    After the War the Admiralty took over the whole site and used it as a store for such items as floating mines. In 1960 the land was sold back to the farmers with Mr Taylor of Edingham ending up with most of it.

    There have been many diverse ideas and uses for the buildings over the last 40 years, ranging from growing mushrooms to furniture storage etc. But the most practical use apart from providing shelter for cattle has been Army and Police training which is still ongoing.

    The buildings are now derelict and unsafe, and for this reason the site is not open to the public. However, once a year a conducted tour is arranged and is very popular for those interested in the factory’s history. If you belong to a group who are interested in the history of Edingham and would like to see round the site, contact Matthew Taylor on 01556 610397.

    On with the pics - unfortunately I have no idea what all the individual buildings were for so - I'll leave that to the military buffs!....

    Oh and almost forgot to mention that one of the cows head butted my dog!!!









































    We noticed lots of graffiti written by the army - they use the place as a training base sometimes....













    Thanks for looking!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Brrrrap'ford brap brap brap brap brap brap brap
    Posts
    2,029
    Thanks
    64
    Thanked 479 Times in 408 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    Good stuff Nipple-a


    flickr my bean

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    170
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked 29 Times in 29 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    thats beautiful... i have urges now!
    Just cos I lick electrical outlets it doesnt mean I'm stupid.......................I just like the tingle!

    forgive us our trespasses

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Lancashire
    Posts
    1,591
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked 309 Times in 251 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    Me likey!!!
    The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    220
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 82 Times in 57 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    So thats what those buildings look like (minus the army soldiers lol).


    Great Report Nicola
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Yorkshire! Salt of the earth!
    Posts
    1,905
    Thanks
    176
    Thanked 577 Times in 468 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    Quote Originally Posted by MJS View Post
    Good stuff Nipple-a
    Change her Screenname quick!
    Only joking! Mint sauce!


    "How come the compression is so bad on all those shots man? It looks like they've been edited with a Commodore 64." JST

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Brighouse, W Yorks
    Posts
    403
    Thanks
    10
    Thanked 51 Times in 47 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    I really like this place Nic - top pics
    My Blog
    Night Stalker

    "We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time."
    T. S. Eliot

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    2,262
    Thanks
    43
    Thanked 515 Times in 258 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    Sooooo envious Nicola, I would LOVE to see this place :-)
    Under the radar, over the top

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    972
    Thanks
    198
    Thanked 323 Times in 291 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    It's only just over the border KE - you could do it in a day!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    2,262
    Thanks
    43
    Thanked 515 Times in 258 Posts

    Default Re: Edingham Munitions Factory, Scotland, March 2011

    Quote Originally Posted by Nicola View Post
    It's only just over the border KE - you could do it in a day!
    can you FlashEarth it for me Nicola? I may just find some pennies to get my ass up there.
    Under the radar, over the top

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 24-03-2011, 04:05 PM
  2. Dunaskin Ironworks / Railway - Scotland - 03/2011
    By Derelict-UK in forum Industrial sites
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 24-03-2011, 01:51 AM
  3. Marconi Radio Factory - Chelmsford - March 2011
    By nelly in forum Industrial sites
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 21-03-2011, 08:35 PM
  4. Edingham Munitions Factory WW2 - Dalbeattie
    By skin in forum Older Reports Archive
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 14-12-2009, 10:06 AM
  5. Modernist mill, Scotland – March ‘09
    By wolfism in forum Industrial sites
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 26-03-2009, 01:11 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •