A reminder in concrete

WWII Bunker

 In this remote area, far to the north of Scotland, the landscape is littered with remains of World War II bunkers. Almost 70 years since the end of this conflict, it is all too easy, especially for those of us too young to remember anything of the world at that time, how much the reality of invasion was.

This one sits as the last line of defence to a bridge. During WWII, that bridge was the first crossing of this estuary. Though most people perceive the southeast of England as the most obvious place to invade, this area could have been ideal. Yes, it's a long was to the centres of power, but the remoteness, with an isolated, scattered population, may have made it a possibility. The enemy could may have landed with relative ease, taking over the local infrastructure - roads and rail - to get to the places of power.

As you travel along some of the roads here, heading further and further inland, other bunkers and pillboxes reveal themselves. These were second and third lines of defence. Yes, the threat of invasion by the enemy was very, very real. Fortunately, it never happened, either here or further south.

But the bunkers still exist. This one looks to be used by cattle on occasion, taking shelter from the weather. May the serve as a reminder of why people fought, the appalling nature of war and how vulnerable even the most remote areas can be.

Looking through the bunker