EASTRIGGS HISTORY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Devil’s Porridge: The Factory That Made a Nation’s Munitions
A modern, interactive museum at the Devil’s Porridge Museum that tells the wartime story of HM Factory Gretna and the 30,000 people who worked there.
Inside the Devil’s Porridge: The Factory That Made a Nation’s Munitions.
Discover the remarkable wartime story of HM Factory Gretna at the Devil’s Porridge Museum, a state‑of‑the‑art, award‑winning museum that traces how the ‘devil’s porridge’ (cordite) was made and how the factory’s 30,000 workers — including 12,000 women — helped shape both the war effort and social change.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The Greatest Munitions Factory on Earth
HM Factory Gretna was at the centre of Britain’s cordite production in World War One; the museum explains how the ‘devil’s porridge’ was mixed and why the site was of strategic significance.
Thirty Thousand Workers — Twelve Thousand Women
The museum foregrounds the massive workforce that kept the factory running, including 12,000 women whose wartime roles helped accelerate change in women’s rights and suffrage.
Interactive, Award‑Winning Exhibits
A five‑star, modern, interactive layout leads visitors through hands‑on displays; the site offers a unique ‘factory pass’ for children to follow the story in family-friendly fashion.
What the day feels like
What the Visit Feels Like
The museum walk-through guides you from the factory’s wartime origins to the human stories behind production: interactive exhibits bring processes and personal accounts to life, and family trails — including a kid’s ‘factory pass’ — make the history immediate for all ages.
Suitability
Who it's for
Practical guidance on group bookings and who should contact the museum directly.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The museum offers an interactive family trail and a children’s ‘factory pass’ to enrich visits.
Visits start at the Devil’s Porridge Museum entrance.
For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the museum directly by phone or email; do not use the online booking system for these group visits.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When is the Devil’s Porridge Museum open?
The museum is open daily.
Where does the visit begin?
Visits start at the Devil’s Porridge Museum.
Is there a family or children’s activity?
Yes — the museum provides a unique ‘factory pass’ for children as part of its family trail.
How do I book for a large group?
If you are booking a group visit of 10 or more people, contact the museum directly by calling 01461 700021 or emailing [email protected]; do not use the online booking system for these group visits.
What story does the museum tell?
The exhibition tells the wartime story of HM Factory Gretna, including how cordite was mixed and the role of the 30,000 workers — 12,000 of them women — in the war effort and social change.