Carnbooth Anti-Aircraft Battery

Carnbooth Anti Aircraft Battery Obscuravibes (Atlas Obscura User)

Situated down a farm track lies this historic World War II site, west of Carmunnock on the outskirts of Glasgow. This was one of at least 43 similar sites around the city constructed to intercept any incoming air attack from German forces on industrial sites across the banks of the River Clyde.

The battery site originally held four gun emplacements, two magazine buildings, a command post, a gun store, and a road that was constructed between the buildings. Interestingly, this site was later modified during the Cold War to counter Soviet threats. It was during this period that some of the buildings were demolished and a command post, engine house, and a perimeter security fence were constructed.

The buildings are now decorated with graffiti, and while there is little more than the concrete shells of the buildings left, visiting this site gives a fascinating insight into Glasgow’s air defense during WWII. The bolts from the metal structures of the anti-aircraft artillery still remain on the floor of each gun base.

Know Before You Go

There is plenty of parking on Holmbyre Road beside the Pigeons observatory. From here, take the farm road leading past the Muslim Section of the Linn Cemetery on your right-hand side.

Continue on this road for around one kilometer before a branch swings right to the first opening of the battery, where the remains of the buildings will be in clear sight. There are some dumps of manure to navigate around to reach a series of fence posts that marks the perimeter of the site.

On the other side of the farm, are the foundations of the accommodation camp. Little remains here and you can only see the concrete bases that were left.

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