Rediscovering a Railway Gem in Dumfries and Galloway
Nestled along a quiet, leafy single-track road in Eastriggs, southern Scotland, lies a historic site once known as “the largest factory in the Empire.” Built during World War I to meet the urgent demand for munitions, HM Factory Gretna played a critical role in producing cordite—nicknamed “Devil’s Porridge”—an explosive propellant for artillery. At its peak, the factory employed 30,000 workers, including 12,000 women.