Unidentified Earthworks, Perthshire, Scotland

Hi All,
Looking for some info on the above earthworks.
They are on the slopes of Glentye Hill, Sheriffmuir, about a mile south of the Atlantic Wall site at Whitestone Ranges/Blackhill.
Basically,there are three earthworks; two are circular, about 20 yards in diameter and have an arm superimposed at three points in the manner of an upside down Y. They look remarkably similar to the shape engraved on the plates on top of Ordnance Survey triangulation pillars in the UK.My first instinct was aircraft bombing markers, but they don't even point at the Atlantic Wall so I think it's unlikely.
The other earthwork is hexagonal shaped and about ten yards away from the southern most circular work. None of these constructions is more than six inches high.
I have been variously told that these are WW2 infantry practise entrenchments, and given the proximity of the trench systems at Black Hill, which is only about a mile away, this is possible I suppose.
Can anyone shed any more light one way or the other?
Regards,
Gordon

 

Although I cannot be certain from your description it sounds like this was an emplacement for an anti-aircraft battery. The circular positions with the three extensions are for the battery's guns. The extensions allow for local defense of the gun. The central hexagonal position would be the location of the rangefinder, radar (if used) and, battery fire control equipment.

 

That's an interesting theory!
Trouble is, that these positions are all on a hillside; one circular one and the hexagon are on the 375m contour line on the south west portion of Glentye Hill, the other position is at the north end at a similar height. There doesn't appear to be anything worth putting LAA batteries up there for, as any German aircraft would be unlikely to approach the railway turntable at Stirling from that direction-not impossible though, I suppose.
I have actually got the war diaries of 36 & 22 AA brigades for a portion of the beginning of the war, so I'll go and consult them.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Gordon

 

Hello, Historian - a slightly belated welcome here ! Sorry I can't help with your earthwork question ( sounds like one for 'After The Battle' magazine ).

( BTW : Quintinshill rings a bell - wasn't it a train disaster ? )

 

22nd May 1915

web page

 

Martin,
Nice to meet you mate.
Yes, Quintinshill, near Gretna Green was Britain's worst Rail disaster. Three trains-the Edinburgh-London express, the troop train carrying the Royal Scots and a passenger train all collided and caught fire. Around 230 people, including Uncle Robert, were killed; about 220 were soldiers. A memorial plaque was erected in Larbert station, where the troop train left from, about ten years ago.
The cause was criminal negligence by the signal box personnel, one of whom was jailed.
Anyway, enough prattling from me!
Regards,
Gordon

 

KMPOC,
Thanks, good site.
Regards,
Gordon