Telling the story of HM Gretna
The Devil’s Porridge Museum, situated in Eastriggs, Dumfries and Galloway, commemorates the remarkable history of HM Factory Gretna—the largest munitions factory in the world during World War I.
Established in response to the 1915 Shell Crisis, the factory stretched over nine miles and employed approximately 30,000 workers, including around 12,000 women known as the “Gretna Girls.”
These women undertook the perilous task of mixing cordite, a volatile explosive nicknamed “the devil’s porridge” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, after he observed the process firsthand. The factory’s establishment led to the creation of the townships of Eastriggs and Gretna, complete with housing, hospitals, and recreational facilities to accommodate the influx of workers.
Today, the museum offers interactive exhibits that explore the lives of those who worked at HM Factory Gretna and the broader wartime experience. Visitors can explore recreated trench environments, original machinery, and personal stories through multimedia displays.
The museum also highlights the role of women in the workforce and the social changes that ensued. Notably, the “Miracle Workers Research Project” aims to uncover and share the stories of the thousands who contributed to the war effort at the factory. With its comprehensive portrayal of a pivotal chapter in history, the Devil’s Porridge Museum serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and contributions made on the home front during times of conflict.
The Devil’s Porridge Museum and the Haltwhistle Film project produced a short documentary film that delves into the lives of 30,000 individuals (12,000 of them were women) who worked at HM Factory Gretna during World War One).
Location: Stanfield, Annan Road, Eastriggs, Dumfries and Galloway DG12 6TF