Hillhead Chain Home, Aberdeenshire - Revisited

Just back from sea, and it being a gorgeous day I decided to pop back to Hillhead to finish off the site.

Original report here... http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=10281

Time was against me last time, and I'd noticed a couple more pillboxes, with a building beside one, outwith the main complex. I'd no idea what it was, but I'm better educated now.

Here we go...

The farm where the site takes its name from.


The pillbox and hut I missed last time.




Inside one of the small rooms at the end of the building, I was confused at first what the wire and weird looking frame was. Then I realised... The hooks were to hang a bike, and the weird thing was what was left of the bike saddle. Simples, X.


In we go...


The VERY faded lettering says ENTRY PROHIBITED. As if.


And inside was... just a boring sink.


And a view of the pillbox.


Random broken bottle shot.


I'm guessing Waiting Room. With fireplace. (Which makes me assume one of the small end rooms was a coal shed/bunker thing.)


Corridor, with two rooms off, which I am going to guess are small sick rooms. Yes, I do think this building was the infirmary.


Although they could do with changing the lino...


Knock and wait? OK then...


I got fed up waiting, so in I went. Oh, look. A plinth for a pot bellied stove...


And coincidentally, when I was out having a look in the pillbox, the remains of the stove was in there...


Right, what does this say? I think I need to get my eyes tested...


Hmm. I don't really know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this...


OR this...


Any roofing anoraks here?


Looks like there was a midden outside. Bits of broken pottery. And a complete bottle. I wonder what was in it? There's still some left, maybe I should have a taste.


Well, I thought that was it. But hang on, WTF is this in the distance?????


Obviously, I didn't have the benefit of a big piccie to give me a clue. Just a tiny image on my camera screen. So off I went for a nosy. More pics in a mo.

Right, here I am. Let's have a proper look...

Oh, look! Another bunker.


Hmmm. No doubt there will be an expert to tell us what this was...


Thankfully, I had a torch with me. There are holes all overthe place, and it's a wee bit dark inside...


Hmmm. Again...


Another hole...


Inside a hole...


Original barrels, maybe?


Oh, yeah!!!


Right, can I go home now? Doesn't look like it. I need to check this out first...

Just before I get to it, I come across these beauties. Somehow, I don't think I'll be able to open them. I'm a tad disappointed. I'm sure there's nothing down there. But still...




The last bunker. I think.


Louvered doors says something big needs to breathe in here...


And it needs a big bed to sleep on...


Would this have had a roof at some point? I'm thinking not...


From behind. No wonder I couldn't see it from the road...


NOW I can go home. Well, I have a wee detour to make first. But that will be for another thread.

please dont drink that stuff

Brilliant stuff Seahorse...just need an hexpert to identify some these relics

Seahorse said:

Obviously, I didn't have the benefit of a big piccie to give me a clue. Just a tiny image on my camera screen.

Click to expand...

See that's why I've just invested in a set of binoculars. Beats wandering half a mile to find it's just an elaborate cow shed or something

Great site and nice to see that it's reasonably intact still. I could spend hours exploring round there!

Nice find there matey, good photos too.

The room with the big concrete slab looks to be a bed for a jenny, and the concrete slabs with the strap across, Im pretty sure are the 'buried reserves', underground rooms.
The site could still function from below the ground, should they be under attack.

Seahorse said:

Click to expand...

In the first pic, if you look at the bottom corner, you can just make out the rail, and that lump of metal coming off the slab with the rivits is the wheel, and this would roll open to reveal a set of steps.

The second pic, looks a bit more awkward, someone has put a big granite water trough, and also some steel girders in the way to prevent these from being opened.

But as you know, nothings 100% secure, if your determined

Brilliant, Seahorse. I didn't realise there was so much of the place left. Amazing to see so much original paint around too.

Urban Mole said:

In the first pic, if you look at the bottom corner, you can just make out the rail, and that lump of metal coming off the slab with the rivits is the wheel, and this would roll open to reveal a set of steps.

The second pic, looks a bit more awkward, someone has put a big granite water trough, and also some steel girders in the way to prevent these from being opened.

But as you know, nothings 100% secure, if your determined

Click to expand...

Yes, the rails are still in place. And if the vegetation was cleared, it might be possible to move the hatch.

If the wheels weren't seized solid, that is.

I think the only way to get in, would be to lift the hatches off. Maybe. Or some kind of winch. Hmmm.

Great report there mate, well written. Im liking those bunkers, and as for the hidden steps, im drooling!!

Urban Mole said:

In the first pic, if you look at the bottom corner, you can just make out the rail, and that lump of metal coming off the slab with the rivits is the wheel, and this would roll open to reveal a set of steps.

The second pic, looks a bit more awkward, someone has put a big granite water trough, and also some steel girders in the way to prevent these from being opened.

But as you know, nothings 100% secure, if your determined

Click to expand...

Under there you should find the reserve transmitter in one and the reserve receiver for the radar station in the other. In the first bunker the holes in the floor would have carried the cables around the site. Great find Seahorse this place gets better and better

Blimey Seahorse, this is great. Some excellent field-trudging there!
The tower on top of the penultimate bunker is identical to RAF Poltimore, which was an ROC Group HQ.
Nice stuff and pics.