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East Fortune Airfield, Recreation Area
Military Installation(S) (20th Century)
Site Name East Fortune Airfield, Recreation Area
Classification Military Installation(S) (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Gilmerton House Estate
Canmore ID 271610
Site Number NT57NW 181
NGR NT 5478 7749
NGR Description Centred NT 5478 7749
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/271610
- Council East Lothian
- Parish Athelstaneford
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District East Lothian
- Former County East Lothian
NT57NW 181.00 Centred 5478 7749
For East Fortune Airfield and Museum see NT57NE 72.00
NT57NW 181.01 NT 53886 77032 Operations Block (formerly NT57NE 72.02)
NT57NW 181.02 NT 54828 77469 Cinema; Theatre
NT57NW 181.03 NT 54784 77411 Building (Squash court)
NT57NW 181.04 NT 54739 77539 Engine house
NT57NW 181.05 NT 54756 77528 Building (Mess hall)
NT57NW 181.06 NT 54749 77381 Hospital
NT57NW 181.07 NT 54668 77584 Garage (Motor Transport)
NT57NW 181.08 NT 54937 77305 Sewage works
NT57NW 181.09 NT 5436 7838 Operations Block (Battle HQ)
NT57NW 181.10 NT 54948 78255 Aircraft Hangar
NT57NW 181.11 NT 54952 78686 Control Tower
NT57NW 181.12 NT 5450 7778 and NT 5483 7684 Military camps
NT57NW 181.13 NT 5350 7788 Military camp
The recreation area for East Fortune airfield is situated to the S of a minor road leading to the entrance to Gilmerton House (NT57NW 20). Included in the enclosure are the station cinema, hospital, chapel, squash court, power houses and the main mess hall. Many of the buildings are built of brick, concrete and asbestos sheeting.
The larger buildings in this area are now in use for commercial purposes.
In addition, outlying structures include the Airfield Battle HQ and the Operations Block.
Information from Defence of Britain Project, site report form (Mr Chalmers and Mr Walker), 1997
Note (27 October 2021)
At least 17 blast shelters are visible on an RAF vertical air photograph
106G/Scot/UK/0014 5188 (flown 15 April 1946) lying next to the buildings of the airfield Recreation and Hospital area.
Information from Pillbox Study Group and HES (AKK) 27 October 2021
