Prisoners – Prisoners of War in Scotland

The accommodation of significant numbers of prisoners of war first became an issue in the second half of the 18th century, especially during the Napoleonic Wars. Edinburgh Castle held French prisoners at times between 1756 and 1814, and French prisoners of war were employed in a variety of places, including the lead mines at Strontian in Argyll in the late 18th century. From 1796 prisoners of war, irrespective of service or nationality, were the responsibility of the Admiralty’s Sick and Hurt Board (later called the Transport Board) and records are held by The National Archives in London. Most French prisoners of war were housed in England, especially in Dartmoor Prison, which was built between 1806 and 1809. By 1814 there were two prisoner of war camps in Scotland: at Perth and Penicuik.

During the First World War (1914-1918) the War Office and the Foreign Office both had Prisoner of War departments, but the former was attached to the Home Office, which ran internment camps, of which there were about 25 in Scotland. During the Second World War (1939-45) the War Office was responsible for all Prisoners of War, including those in over 20 camps and prisons in Scotland. Records are held by The National Archives in London. <https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/  [accessed 26 April 2024] Look for the research guide on Prisoners of War in British Hands and this will help you use the catalogue for this topic.

Compilers: SCAN contributors (2000).

Scottish Prisoner of War (PoW) camps in World War 2

(This list may not be complete)

Bun Camp, Doonfoot, Ayrshire

Donaldsons School, West Coates, Edinburgh

Gosford Camp, Aberlady, Longniddry, East Lothian

Happendon Camp, Douglas, Lanarkshire

Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie, Perthshire

Pennylands Camp, Cumnock, Ayrshire

The Moor Camp, Thankerton, Lanarkshire

Balhary Camp, Alyth, Perthshire

Castle Rankine, Denny, Stirlingshire

Calvine, Blair Atholl, Perthshire

Sandyhillock Camp, Craigellachie, Banffshire

Halmuir Farm, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire

Northern Hill Camp, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire

Aunsmuir Camp, Ladybank, Fife

Brahan Castle, Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty

Stuartfield, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire

Deer Park Camp, Moneymusk, Aberdeenshire

Kingendengh Camp, Mauchline Ayrshire

Holm Park Camp, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire

Sunlaws Camp, Kelso, Roxburghshire

Dalmahoy Camp, Kirknewton, Midlothian

 

Bibliography

Abell, Francis Prisoners of War in Britain, 1756-1815 (Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1914)

Cameron, Joy Prisons and Punishment in Scotland from the Middle Ages to the Present (Canongate, 1983)

The National Archives (London)  Research Guide on Prisoners of War in British hands <https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/prisoners-of-war-british-hands/ >[accessed 26 April 2024]