Spigot Mortar Range Green Hill

Stainless steel spigot on
octagonal concrete pillar on
concrete base

Green Hill, on the northeast side of the Moor road which connects the A78 at Hunterston with Dalry to the east, is the site of a World War II spigot mortar range. The range was visible on RAF aerial photographs taken in 1945, and the bases are depicted as pillars on OS mapping.

The purpose of this range is unknown, however the fact that it was located within the area of a disused quarry, and in the vicinity of a number of assorted buildings - as indicated by their concrete bases which still survive in the ground - may be significant. Although they could have been sandbagged, it is notable that none of the spigot mortar bases show any evidence of surrounding defilades or were entrenched to protect the crews from enemy action. Based on local accounts, it is possible that this was a proving range, rather than a defensive installation, and was used to test spigot mortar shells, and other projectiles. Five bases are located in the area, four of which are conventional (octagonal) pillars set on concrete bases, having the metal spigot mounted at their centre, while the fifth base is much wider and taller, with no spigot mounted. This large cylinder is approximately 10 feet (3 m) across, and could have had served as a form of holdfast or mounting for equipment under test, such as a rocket launcher, and is provided with a ring of fixing bolts extending from its upper circumference, together with a number of steel steps cast into its side, which provide access to its upper surface.

Local information

Local accounts have been offered with regard to wartime activities in the area, and refer to the Home Guard firing rockets into the sea off the Ayrshire coast (see the BBC's People's War site). The range may also have have been used after the war, to test rocket propelled devices, which may be consistent with the proximity of the range to the former Nobel Explosive Factory at Ardeer, to the south. This may also account for the existence of the larger concrete base on the site.

See also the information provided regarding the Coastal Battery South Inch, to the south and west.