Archaeology Notes

Event ID 796667

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/796667

NO52NW 7 5045 2700 to 5000 2778

For rest of line of Anti-Tank blocks, see also NO52NW 10

For other military command, training and defensive structures on Tentsmuir Sands, see also:

NO42NE 71-3, 117 and 127

NO42SE 56-7, 77-9 and 81

NO52NW 1-6 and 8, and NO52SW 1.

A single row of anti-tank blocks run the full length of the beach to the E of Tentsmuir Forest. Some of the blocks are buried in the sand.

J Guy 1994; NMRS 810/3, 147

NGR not given, the world war 2 anti tank blocks are described as continuous along coast of Tentsmuir. This site was recorded as part of an archaeological evaluation of Forestry Commission land in Tentsmuir, Fife carried out by Headland Archaeology Ltd. This evaluation was commissioned by Fife Council Planning Service in advance of Forest Enterprise felling proposals, the work was executed to a brief prepared by Peter Yeoman and Sarah Govan of Fife Council Archaeological Service. A continuous line of anti-tank blocks was constructed on the coast of Tentsmuir in 1940. It is now partially washed away and considerable lengths appear to be buried by sand. The main visible sections lie outside Forestry Commission land but the report concludes that it must survive in part on Commission land. The blocks were constructed as the low sandy coastline of Tentsmuir was considered to be a high risk from a sea-borne invasion and the Leuchars airfield also required protection from attack. There is a concentration of observation posts, command posts, pillboxes and other structures behind the continuous line of anti-tank blocks. The density of these structures is highest at the S end of Tentsmuir, closer to Leuchars. There is deep water here close into the shore so the risk of attack was greatest. These sites were manned by Polish Units who lived in a camp in the forest.

Sponsors: Fife Council with support from Historic Scotland and Forest Enterprise

NMRS MS/889/32 (May 1997 Headland Archaeology Ltd)

NO 4648 2633 This report gives an overview and synthesis of the archaeology of Tentsmuir, it should be read in conjunction with MS/899/32 which gives more detail on the archaeological evaluation Headland Archaeology Ltd conducted in the area. The report contains the sections 'The Scope and Aims of the report', 'The geomorphic evolution of Tentsmuir', 'History of archaeological investigation'. It then goes on to look at the archaeology of Tentsmuir, period by period : 'Mesolithic', 'Later prehistoric', 'Medieval and post Medieval', 'Agricultural improvement' amd finally 'World War Two'. Maps and plans for each period are also included.

Sponsors: Fife Council with support from Historic Scotland and Forest Enterprise.

NMRS MS/899/33 (May 1997 Headland Archaeology Ltd.).

Part of a continuous line of concrete anti-tank blocks which formerly extended along the coast at just above the high water mark. They are visible on vertical air photographs (106/Scot/UK33 4075-4077, flown 25 April 1946) along with several of the pillboxes on the coastal crust defence line at Tentsmuir Forest.

Information from RCAHMS (DE), November 2007.