The Devil’s Porridge Museum tells the dramatic story of the vast WWI munitions factory that once spanned the fields of Eastriggs and Gretna. It brings to life the workers, primarily young women, who mixed the explosive paste nicknamed “the Devil’s Porridge.”
Origins & Historical Background
During the First World War, Britain faced a critical shortage of ammunition. The government responded by building HM Factory Gretna, the largest munitions factory in the world. At its peak, more than 30,000 workers, including around 12,000 women known as the “Gretna Girls,” produced cordite, the propellant used in shells and bullets.
The museum evolved from a local heritage initiative aimed at telling this previously overlooked story. Community volunteers collected artefacts, testimonies, and photographs, ultimately establishing a dedicated museum to preserve the legacy of the”munitionettes.”
Collections & Exhibitions
The museum showcases:
- Original tools and equipment used to mix the explosive cordite
- Personal stories and letters from factory workers
- Displays the dangerous working conditions
- Exhibits on rationing, wartime housing, and life in the purpose-built towns of Eastriggs and Gretna
- A powerful section on WW2 evacuees, refugees, and wartime civil defence
- The storytelling is hands-on, energetic, and people-focused—making it ideal for families and school groups.
The Building
The museum sits in a modern, purpose-built centre near the former factory site. Its design reflects the industrial, no-nonsense aesthetic of the wartime complex, while providing a bright, accessible space for exhibits and events.
Cultural Significance
The Devil’s Porridge Museum keeps alive the stories of ordinary people who played an extraordinary role in the war effort. It highlights the bravery and resilience of factory workers, the rise of women in industrial roles, and the impact of rapid wartime urban planning on rural Dumfries and Galloway.
The museum also anchors the region’s identity as “the Miracle of Munitions,” a phrase used during the war to describe the scale and speed of the operation.
Visiting Today
Visitors explore immersive rooms, reconstructed workspaces, and interactive displays that illustrate the process of mixing, rolling, and loading cordite. The museum also hosts talks, community projects, and educational sessions to keep human stories at the forefront.
The Devil’s Porridge Museum and the Haltwhistle Film project produced a short documentary that delves into the lives of 30,000 individuals (12,000 women) who worked at HM Factory Gretna during World War One.