Site Records

SiteName: Oban - Minefield Control Tower

Gallanach
Oban, Argyll
OS Grid Ref: NM828273

Sub Brit site visit 2nd August 2003

There is a minefield control tower at Gallanach overlooking the Sound of Kerrera; it lies on the hillside on the south side of a caravan park.

Photo:Minefield Control Tower
Photo by Nick Catford

This is an unusual building with only one other example still extant at Burnham on Crouch in Essex.

The building is a circular concrete structure with three stories. The bottom floor has two level loopholes and internally resembles a pillbox with two small rooms in the centre. There is a ladder up to the next floor which also has loopholes. There is a roof dome above with observation slits which is reached by a second ladder up to a steel landing, most of which has fallen away.

Minefield Control Tower at Burnham on Crouch

Externally the building is in good condition although internally it is covered in graffiti, presumably from residents of the adjacent caravan park.

Photo:Brick building alongside the Minefield Control Tower
Photo by Nick Catford

There is a small rectangular brick building in the bushes alongside. This building is empty.

The observation platform

The lower level

[Source: Nick Catford]

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Last updated: Tuesday, 04-Jan-2011 14:55:08 GMT