Sheriffmuir's Replica Atlantic Wall: The D-Day Practice Site Hidden in Scottish Moorland

In 1943 a replica section of the Atlantic wall and defensive positions were built in remote moorland in Scotland near Stirling to rehearse for the D-Day landings.

The site contains a mock section of the atlantic wall 86 meters long, 3 meters high and 3 meters thick along half its length. Evidence of the breaching trials can be seen in the wall, including a 4 meter wide breach which has thrown debris back over 30 meters as well as being extensively pitted by impacts from a variety of calibres. On the "seaward" facing side of the wall, there is a defensive anti-tank ditch.

To the northeast of the wall there is a bunker level to the ground featuring two Tobruk observation and firing holes which were a common feature in the coastal defences of Normandy.

The site also has a gun emplacement which resembles the gun emplacements located on the Normandy coast to fire along the beaches.

Location of Sheriffmuir's Atlantic Wall

The wall is located in moorland near Dunblane.
Latitude: 56.211239, Longitude: -3.875278

Phil – creator of Normandy War Guide
I started the site more than a decade ago after my first trip to Normandy and have been hooked ever since. I visit a few times each year to explore new sites and update the guide. Over the years I've also transcribed thousands of WWII war diaries and scanned original maps to keep this history accessible for everyone.