Gretna. Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Nitro Glycerine Hills
Nitroglycerine Hill(S) (First World War)
Site Name Gretna. Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Nitro Glycerine Hills
Classification Nitroglycerine Hill(S) (First World War)
Canmore ID 373566
Site Number NY26SE 16
NGR NY 26623 64734
NGR Description Centred NY 26623 64734
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/373566
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Gretna
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Eastriggs, Explosives Factory, Nitroglycerine Hills
NY26SE 16.1 Nitroglycerine Hill No.1 (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.2 Nitroglycerine Hill No.2 (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.3 Nitroglycerine Hill No.3 (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.4 Nitroglycerine Hill No.4 (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.5 Nitroglycerine Hill No.5 (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.6 Magazines (World War 2); Nissen Huts (World War 2); Blast Mounds (World War 1)
NY26SE 16.7 Office Building (World War 1).
Information from HES Heritage Recording section (Miriam McDonald), 18 September 2023
Field Visit (18 May 2023)
NITROGLYCERINE HILLS 1-5 AREA
The five Nitroglycerine Hills (NY26SE 16.1-16.5) are situated SE of the Drying Houses (NY26NE 146) in the E part of the First World War National Factory, Gretna (Site 3: Eastriggs) (MMW 1919, 145-163). This was where the nitroglycerine was produced from refined glycerine and mixed acid composed of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and water. The cordite paste was made by saturating the dried Nitrocotton (exported from the Nitrocotton Production area, NY26NE 140) with nitroglycerine. This concoction was then sieved by hand before being sent in bags by rail to H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 2: Mossband) further to the E.
Each Hill comprised a Glycerine Dump, a Soda Dump, two Acid Storage Tanks, four Air Storage Tanks, a Brine Storage Tank, an Acid Charge House, a Soda Charge House, a Nitrator Separator House, three Wash Houses, a share of two Wash Water Settling Houses, six Paste Mixing Houses, a Dry Nitrocotton Magazine, two Paste Magazines and an Off-Loading Platform. However, Hills 1 and 5 did not possess any Paste Mixing Houses, Nitrocotton Magazines, Paste Magazines or Off-Loading Platforms and had to make use of those of their neighbours. In addition, there was a NItroglycerine Hills Compound (NY26SE 17.1) to the S of the Hills.
Information from HES Heritage Recording (MMD, ATW), 18 May 2023.
