Edinburgh, Holyrood Park, Hunter's Bog, Rifle Range

Hunter's Bog was used as a rifle range from at least the 1830s until the 1950s. The area was first used for target practice by the castle garrison, and during the late 1880s it was used by the volunteer brigades of the Royal Scots. The range continued in operation until at least 1953, when it was still serving the Territorial Army.

During this time, the range underwent several changes, many of which are charted graphically by the successive editions of the OS 25-inch maps. In 1877, there were eight firing lines running roughly from N to S along the valley floor, with the targets and mantlets situated at the S end. The firing positions were spaced at 50-yard intervals up to a maximum distance of 600 yards, and two magazines were in use, the first located in Camstone Quarry and the second at the N end of the lowermost of the Dasses. The positions of both magazines are now indicated by rectangular platforms, but little can be seen of the firing positions. Only one row of four, regularly-spaced stances is visible along the floor of Hunter's Bog, and the 600-yard firing position of the easternmost firing line is marked by an L-shaped revetment low down on the Dasses.

By 1896, the direction of the ranges had switched to firing across the valley. Two firing lines were in operation, with their targets located at the foot of Arthur's Seat to the E. The southern line had firing positions at intervals of 50 yards for ranges up to 300 yards, and the northern line, 120m to the N, had firing positions at 100-yard intervals from 400 yards up to 600 yards. The firing positions of the northern line survive as rectangular platforms, while, under low sunlight, those belonging to the southern line are visible as narrow flights of steps ascending the slope at the SW end of Hunter's Bog. The latter appear to have been out of use by 1908, replaced by firing positions located at 100 yard intervals in line with the northern range.

The continued use of the rifle ranges is charted on the four editions of the OS 25-inch map dated from 1896 to 1933, which depict the various modifications and additions that took place. The 400- and 500-yard firing positions were relocated a short distance to the S after 1896, while between 1908 and 1914, the 300-yard firing position was also relocated to the S and the targets extended. The magazine in Camstone Quarry remained in use throughout, although the magazine at the southern end of the Dasses was moved to the S after 1908; various other roofed buildings are also shown on the maps. The targets and associated buildings were dismantled in 1961; the firing positions and the locations of buildings are now indicated by low mounds and rectangular platforms or terraces, while the targets are visible as a narrow ledge at the SE end of Hunter's Bog. These features are plotted at 1:5,550 on an archaeological map of Holyrood Park (RCAHMS 1999).

Visited by RCAHMS (ARG), 15 December 1998.

NMRS, MS/726/96 (66-7, nos. 63-4); C Wickham-Jones 1996; RCAHMS 1999.

A project to characterise the quantity and quality of the Scottish resource of known surviving remains of the First World War. Carried out in partnership between Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.