ASVA E-ZINE

Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the ASVA E-Zine

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WWII Plane Propellor Discovery on Arran Sparks Investigation for National Trust For Scotland

March 2024

The discovery of a propellor blade in a remote part of Arran, thought to be from a World War II plane, has sparked an investigation for the National Trust for Scotland as it tries to identify its origin.

A contractor working for Scotland’s largest conservation charity, found the objects in an isolated location in Coire a Bhradain, as he conducted peatland restoration to protect this vital resource in the fight against climate change.

The finding of the propellor blade has left experts at the Trust debating where it came from as the location of the discovery falls outside the two previously known crash sites in the area.

Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeology for the National Trust for Scotland, said: “We are intrigued by the discovery of the propellor blade which certainly looks to be from a WWII plane. There are two previously known plane crash sites further up the glen on the steep cliff side of Beinn Nuis but this object was found outside the mapped spread of debris from both of these, which has caused some uncertainty around which aircraft they belong to.

“The plane part was discovered when our contractor’s excavator bucket hit something solid and metallic. On closer inspection we found it had been wrapped and tied in a potato sack which has added further intrigue to the find that lay some distance from the spread of the wreckage of the former crash sites. It may have been gathered during the clean-up of the site in the 1940s, immediately after the impact, or through subsequent work by the Trust in the 1980s. It’s too early to tell but we are determined to get to the bottom of it.

“We know from a previous archaeological survey carried out around the crash sites back in 2013 the extent of the debris fields, so we know there is historic merit to the findings, we just have to work out which plane the part came from to piece the story together. There have been six WWII plane crashes on Trust-owned land on Arran which are now protected sites so we have to work with the relevant organisations and follow procedures, such as informing the Military Crash Register, before any further work can be carried out.”

Kate Sampson, Senior Ranger at the National Trust for Scotland on Arran added that the discovery demonstrates the importance of the work the Trust carries out to protect Scotland’s rich cultural and natural heritage for future generations.

“The findings were made during our charity’s work to restore peatland in Coire a’Bhradain. Our peatland restoration programme not only helps to reinstate our beautiful landscapes but is also vital in helping to restore the peat’s carbon storing properties to help mitigate against climate change. Understanding the cultural significance of our peatlands and protecting this natural resource at our special places will help to ensure it benefits future generations in the long term. Our peatland restoration project is supported by the Scottish Government's Peatland Action Fund delivered in partnership with NatureScot.”

The work by the Trust’s archaeological team, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023, supports the National Trust for Scotland’s vision to care for, share and protect Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone to enjoy, as outlined in its 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.

Photograph: National Trust for Scotland Senior Ranger Kate Sampson and contractor Stewart Lambie with the propellor blade

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