The Devils Porridge

By Scott Marley

Details Devils Porridge  St John's Church  Dunedin Road  Eastriggs   Dumfries-shire     This must be the longest and greatest factory ever built, stretching over nine miles from the outskirts of Annan across the border to Longtown. Over 30,000 men and women worked in this massive factory producing 1,000 tonnes of nitro-glycerine and nitro-cotton (or cordite as it was known) per week The name 'Devils Porridge' was given to this explosive paste after a visit from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1918. The cordite was shaped into lengths of "rope" and placed into shells and bullets. Walking through the museum you are told the story of these brave munitions girls, their work and their social life through sight and sound. You can also hear how the Irish built the factory and drank all the local towns dry from Carlisle to Annan... you can even check and see if one of your relatives worked in the factory. Some of the original tubs for mixing the 'porridge' still sit on the production line, which brings the factory process alive, and three impressive painting and sculptures help to recreate the atmosphere of the time. Just twenty minutes away from Carlisle heading North on the M74. Take the A75 or the B721 through Dornock. Heading South from Glasgow you leave the motorway at Eaglesfield and follow signs for Annan and Eastriggs. Wednesday to Saturday       10am to 4pm Sundays                                12 noon to 4 pm Admission 70 Pence    Accompanied children Free Bus & School parties catered for - also out of season.