Broad Havens

Also known as:
Mains Of Portlethen
Nearest town:
Aberdeen (9km N)
OS reference:
NO93639662
OS sheets:
38, 45
Latitude:
57° 3' 38.18 N
Longitude:
2° 6' 18.15 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The approach.... just a hint of the drama to unfold, the site visible centre skyline.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 11, 2012
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Aside from those across the ‘neck’, the defences of this promontory fort are now somewhat insubstantial.... however this may have always been the case, with no need for anything more. It’s not unusual.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 11, 2012
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Looking across from the south(ish).... no way in here, then. The WWII ‘bunker’ can be seen to the centre left.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 11, 2012
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

Not much living space, but pretty safe..... this is the only practical way in.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 11, 2012
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by GLADMAN

The promontory defences are obvious, far top right... Great here in Greece, innit?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 11, 2012
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by drewbhoy

The last perch of land and looking up. (to scared to look down!)

Image credit: drew/amj
drewbhoy
drewbhoy Mar 30, 2011
Image of Broad Havens (Cliff Fort) by drewbhoy

From the cliff edge, note the height of the earthworks.

Image credit: drew/amj
drewbhoy
drewbhoy Mar 30, 2011

Articles

Broad Havens

drewbhoy
drewbhoy Mar 31, 2011

I drove thru Portlethen, past the police station and church pulling in at the Mains Of Portlethen farm. (note where I parked) From here walk to the track on the severe corner and follow the path to its end, turn south and the path leads straight to the fort. (no fences!)

A narrow passage leads to the fort which has a natural harbour to the north and a dangerous inlet to the south. The cliffs are of course very dangerous so watch your feet. Massive earthworks protect the fort from the land side. Like Gladman found at Garn Gawr so I found here, a gun emplacement was here during the 2nd World War, the military had been in action. The earthworks have been split in two to form a walkway. Two concrete slabs allow the walker to cross.

So all in all a very nice place. On the way back to the car wasn’t so nice. Waiting at the gate to the track a farmer stood and waited for my return. His language used I won’t replicate here but to say he was annoyed was an understatement. After giving my ears a severe pounding for 15 minutes, he was astounded to see me walk past the car in question. I kept walking and he stood amazed having built up a good rage for nothing. The guilty person was just walking past my car with her dog. With a wee word of warning I left the scene. To be fair the farmer was right as her car blocked two gates. Good fun!

29/3/2011.

Sites within 20km of Broad Havens

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