Product Description
by Gordon J Barclay & Ron Morris
This title is available as an open access e-book.
The Fortification of the Firth of Forth describes the story of the great Forth Fortress from 1880 to 1977, when the final traditional defensive capabilities were abandoned. The authors combine archival sources with new fieldwork and oral histories to not only describe what was built, but when and why.
This meticulously researched, richly illustrated volume relates the defences in the Forth to the wider political and military context and also describes the human side of the defences: the men and women who manned the fortress. This is a fascinating resource for those interested in Scottish military and naval history, and conflict and battlefield archaeology.
Gordon J Barclay is former Principal Inspector and Head of Policy at Historic Scotland. His previous publications include If Hitler Comes: Preparing for Invasion: Scotland 1940 (2013).
Ron Morris has been involved in the exploration and conservation of the Forth’s defence and natural heritage for many years. His previous publications include Defending St Kilda (2013).
Watch the lecture given by Gordon Barclay and Ron Morris to find out more about the Forth’s defences.
Read the interview with Gordon Barclay and Ron Morris to learn about the book and the research that led to it.
Bernard Lowry (Casemate) – :
‘Whilst much of the military works lining the Forth have gone, the islands still retain rich remains and the book explores these in a scholarly and clear way. […] Drawing on many written sources, [it] is packed full of both modern colour images and abundant, rare and fascinating contemporary illustrations.[…] The whole work is on a rich scale and should be on every bookshelf.’
Douglas Gray (Kinghorn Chronicle) – :
‘[The authors] have to be congratulated on putting together a massive amount of research with informative text and numerous plans, charts and photographs. This book is a ‘must have’ for those interested in the recent archaeology, military or local history of this area.’
Robert J C Mowat (International Journal of Nautical Archaeology) – :
A seamless study of an area long significant in naval history. […] The authors address a clearly defined but multi-faceted subject with perception, authority, and panache. Anyone with interests connected in any way with the subject will learn much by reading this volume.’
Full review: https://doi.org/10.1111/1095-9270.12387
Calum Robertson (Antiquity) – :
While this book covers only a short period of the Forth’s long strategic and military history, it is impressively deep, discussing myriad defences constructed on over 20 island and coastal positions across a 90-year period. In achieving this, the authors present extensive evidence drawn from archival records, fieldwork and oral histories.
Full review: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.58