Carnwath

[Granite]

DSC_0001.jpgView from MS towards symbols

[Granite]

DSC_0008.jpgDSC_0009.jpgMS from north on the walk up from the A70 and MS looking towards Edinburgh

[PNK]

Forgot to mention, the roof would have been covered by sand bags. I suspect they were left in situ when the range closed hence the growth on top.

I haven't found any record of how these bulidings were decommissioned but it's odd that there is never any sign of the wooden frames in the windows and doors, although having said that I think Hells Mouth did show some remains.

[John Anderson]

Forgot to mention, the roof would have been covered by sand bags. I suspect they were left in situ when the range closed hence the growth on top.

I haven't found any record of how these bulidings were decommissioned but it's odd that there is never any sign of the wooden frames in the windows and doors, although having said that I think Hells Mouth did show some remains.

At Treligga the area surrounding the MS is covered in sand and there is what I would describe as a concrete trough around three sides (not door side) with the remains of wooden posts or holes for them at intervals, which I think would have held the sandbags in place. No signs of wooden frames. Another feature is steel rods sticking out at regular intervals just below the roof line (they do not look like reinforcing rods). Supports for a horizontal radio aerial (if such a thing existed)? See images Treligga thread no.28.

[PNK]

Yes, the wooden posts would have supported the frane for the wooden cladding. The metal rods were used to secure the upper portion to the shelter. The length of the rods indicate the depth of the gap, allowing for the frame and cladding thickness. The three sides would have been filled with loose sand and this is probably the source of the sand at Treligga. That must have been a lot of sand and indeed cement, to lug up to the top of Seat Hill. I wonder how and where it was mixed?

[Granite]

DSC_0011.jpgView from Seat Hill where the MS is located, looking towards 'Horse Law Hill' where the two 'symbols' are located just to left of centre

[Granite]

DSC_0012.jpgDSC_0013.jpgDSC_0015.jpgDSC_0016.jpgDSC_0017.jpgDSC_0018.jpgin order 1) view of the 'range' with Loch Crane on the left. 2) MS from the west, 3) pipe hole out of MS in corner at waist height, one at each 'window' side corner, 4) top detail, note RSJ's on the roof, 5) door frame, right hand pipe hole also visible, 6) green paint still on the door frame

[Granite]

DSC_0020.jpgDSC_0048.jpgDSC_0021.jpgDSC_0023.jpgDSC_0028.jpgDSC_0031.jpgDSC_0032.jpgDSC_0036.jpgLast lot!!! 1) small window detail, 2) MS from Seat Hill trig point, 3) green paint on bits of broken door, 4) door frame showing green paint, 5) bit of window frame? in field with green paint, 6) roof detail, 7) MS from approx 100 yards, MS from 500yards

[PNK]

Fantastic stuff. The big question is the green paint original? It would be an obvious choice to blend in.

[PNK]

In the Airfield Focus Special - Grangemouth (Geoff Bailey) it states that 58OTU required an air to ground range and the Carnwath site was surveyed in May 1941 and became operational in August 1942. The land used was on an old range, possbily War Office? I wonder if this was the source of the mystery symbols and unrelated to the RAF use? Any ideas how to find out locations of War Office ranges both old and wartime? I don't wish to start another project but I have a feeling that is where the solution to the symbols is for all the other locations.

One final question relates to the time between survey and opening. Although these thing took a long time to sort out via all the interested parties, but 15 months is a bit excessive for an important requirement. If we assume a date typo and either 1941 sould have been 1942 or 1942, 1941 then that is a tad too short in my view, especially having to lug all that cement and sand up that hill!