Monument record MHG27947 - WW2 Prison Camp, Kinlochleven

NN26SW 13 2065 6070

The Prisoner-of-War Camp (NMRS MS 738/31, no.58) to the E of Kinlochleven, was visited in the course of a pre-afforestation survey by AOC (Scotland Ltd). The camp covers an area measuring over 300m by 100m and consists of numerous building footings. Two main types of structure are represented; concrete pillars for wooden pre-fabricated huts and concrete hard standings for Nissen huts. At least sixteen separate structures were identified in an area threatened by ploughing and many more lie within deciduous woodland.
C Burgess (AOC (Scotland Ltd)) March 1996; NMRS MS 738/31 no.58 (52b/8) <1>

Field survey was carried over an area of 20sq km around the shores of Loch Leven during March 1996. The survey concentrated in an area between the village of Glen Coe (8km to the W of Kinlochleven) and the Blackwater dam (about 3km E of Kinlochleven) and examined all the ground between sea level and 300m that was not under existing forestry or woodland.
Monuments already recorded in this area were either related to the military road (NN 16 SE 2) or the building of the dam (NN 26 SW 3) that provides power to the Kinlochleven aluminium smelter. Some 82 monuments were recorded systematically for the first time. They fall into three clear groups: military monuments, industrial monuments and Early Historic/prehistoric monuments.
Within the area a variety of military monuments were recorded that appear mostly to relate to the protection and building of the smelter and dam. Sites included search light stations (NN16SE 38), fox holes (NN 1757 6170), and the substantive remains of a prisoner-of-war camp that was built to house a labour force for the smelter. This site (NN 2065 6070) consisted mainly of building footings and landscaping features that can be clearly seen in clearings within the woodland and birch scrub about 1000m to the E of Kinlochleven. At the E end of the survey area Wade's military road runs down into the village of Kinlochleven before continuing N out of the survey area. This feature survives as a metalled track outwith the urban development. Along the line of this feature a number of culverts and small drystone bridges were noted.
Industrial monuments were classed into two groups. Charcoal- burning platforms - roughly circular scoops fronted with drystone and measuring up to 13m in diameter - may be seen mostly on the S shores of Kinlochleven to the W of the village and in the upland area immediately to the E of the village. The second group of industrial monuments was that related to the construction and operation of the dam and smelter. Most of these features are to be found between the dam and the village of Kinlochleven and range from building footings to the stations to carry the overhead cables of the system that was used to lift heavy equipment up into the construction area.
Historic and prehistoric monuments in this area are generally located in the fertile patches on the N loch shore. The sites consist mainly of rig and furrow cultivation, stone clearance and occasional enclosures, both circular and rectilinear. Due to repeated cultivation in these areas until relatively recently these features are faint and difficult to interpret.
A full report has been placed in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
AOC (Scotland) Ltd 1996 <2>

Over 50% of the buildings are invaded by vigorous growth of birch and willow to a height. Of 15-20 foot.
See assoc. docs. File. <3>

A piece of documentary research and a number of site visit were carried out by Christine Herbert in 2004, and submitted in full to the HER in 2008. The project report contains a large assortment of archival material, including a plan of the camp (produced by The British Aluminium Company Ltd).

This document states that the camp was built around 1916, rather than being in use in the Second World War, as previously stated. It held some 1000 German and Belgian prisoners of war, conscientious objectors and 500 British troops of a low medical category. The camp measured approximately 720 feet in length and 320 feet at its widest point. The original plans show that the prisoners were housed in 13 huts along with the usual ancillary buildings, laundry rooms, washrooms and latrines, kitchen, theatre, workshops and a hospital. The guards and officers were housed in a separate area overlooking the general campsite. Here was a small parade ground, a detention block, sergeants mess, officers quarters, and general guard quarters. A siding from the railway line to the temporary factory crossed the river and ran through the camp. This was probably used to bring in supplies for the camp and perhaps to take the guards and prisoners into Kinlochleven. The prisoners were used in the construction of the aqueduct, bringing the water from the Blackwater dam to the aluminium smelter, and in the construction of the first road into Kinlochleven from Glencoe. <4>