Wemyss Bay Photo

Concrete beach, Wemyss Bay

From the Secret Scotland web site http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/ConcreteBeachWemyssBay . "A concrete beach was created at Wemyss Bay during World War II, to provide a durable area where amphibious vehicles and landing craft could transition between land and sea. This would have been part of the preparations made by Combined Operations. The weight of military vehicles, particularly if loaded with supplies, troops, munitions or armour, and the repeated passage of heavily treaded tyres, or tracks, would soon destroy an unprotected soft or sandy beach with a loose surface, rendering it useless. By laying a reinforced concrete surface over the original beach, it was possible to stabilise such areas, and use them continuously."

© Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence