Deanston Mill, Spigot Mortar Mounting And Emplacement

NN70SW 198 71719 01359

c. NN 71710 01348. Spigot mortar mounting situated on the S bank of the River Teith and SE of Deanston Mill.

The mounting, a solid circular concrete block with steel pin on top, is set within a circular concrete emplacement (defilade) with covered ammunition shed or crew shelter set to one side. Open entrance to emplacement on SE side.

Information via e-mail to RCAHMS from Ms Lorna Main, Archaeology Service, Environmental Services, Stirling Council, 31 July 2008.

The spigot mortar mounting is situated in dense undergrowth, S of the road leading to Deanston Mill, about 131m SE of the Distillery shop car park.

The location of the concrete emplacement was confirmed by tape using the old estate fence shown on the current OS 1:2500 scale digital map as control.

The shuttered concrete emplacement measures 2.70m overall with the entrance to the NNW and the small ammunition locker on the S. The almost circular pit has a maximum depth of 92cm reducing to 88cm towards the entrance. Inside measurement of the pit is 2.37m.

Centrally positioned within the emplacement is a round concrete pillar with a sloping top measuring 1.07m in diameter, topped with a circular metal base plate 30cm in diameter with a steel pin protruding from it measuring 5cm in diameter and standing 10cm above the metal plate.

The concrete compartment on the S side of the emplacement is probably an ammunition locker, which measures 1.24m in height, 74 cm wide and into the bank about 1m. The concrete roof thickness is 18cm. The locker is lined with corrugated iron and the shuttering used for mouding the concrete has been the same material. Traces of wood at the doorway would suggest a wooden door frame. The small size of this compartment would suggest an ammunition store rather than a hut for personnel.

This installation forms one of four in the Doune area.

Visited by RCAHMS (DE), 14 August 2008