Whilst on holiday in Scotland the girlfriend booked us a trip to this island in the Firth of Forth. There are lots of islands in this stretch of water, many have been fortified during the years and more through the world wars. We passed under the three bridges on what was a beautiful hot day. As we got to the forth rail bridge, which is the most amazing structure, we passed by Inchgarvie a small island which you could see from the boat was full of war buildings I really would live to get on that one day. We then headed to Inchcolm and I was quite excited as I knew there was war defences on there. We landed on the island and made a beeline up the steep hills to see the structures dotted about the island. There is seagulls about everywhere shrieking above your head, how I never got pooped on I don't know. The island has a natural harbour, and at its low point there is an old abbey ruin. This was built in the eleventh century, its one of the finest examples remaining in Scotland. A lot of the islands in the forth were used for plague sufferers who would be dumped here till they got better or died. Not sure if Inchcolm was one of them. The islands were raided lots by the English over the years. But it was during the world wars that they were heavily fortified to protect the city of Edinburgh, and the fleet of ships docked in the water. Submarine nets and boat booms was placed across the forth. The islands were split in to different defence areas. Inchcolm was the headquarters of the middle defences.
Looking over the island to the the abbey and the west of the island.
Starting over the west side which is more sparse. There a few buildings including a watch tower which involved a fight with brambles to get in.
Up a steep hill on the east side is a tunnel what goes under the rocks. It was built in 1916 by the Royal Engineers. It was constructed to link up to a newer battery.
The newer battery
Higher up is another older battery from the Victorian times
I found an overgrown spigot mortar behind the battery.
Heading back around the island on the far Eastern side. There are various buildings in including two searchlight posts.
Looking over the island to the the abbey and the west of the island.
Starting over the west side which is more sparse. There a few buildings including a watch tower which involved a fight with brambles to get in.
Up a steep hill on the east side is a tunnel what goes under the rocks. It was built in 1916 by the Royal Engineers. It was constructed to link up to a newer battery.
The newer battery
Higher up is another older battery from the Victorian times
I found an overgrown spigot mortar behind the battery.
Heading back around the island on the far Eastern side. There are various buildings in including two searchlight posts.
