MONTFODE FUEL DEPOT

 

There used to be a Shell Mex refinery in Ardrossan in Ayrshire.  There was what was known as "The Canning Factory" at The Inches in Ardrossan where one gallon cans were filled with aviation fuel.  Someone realised that it might not be a good idea to have large quantities of aviation fuel in the town so the operation was transferred to Montfode which is just outside Ardrossan.  There was a large underground fuel dump here - said to hold one million gallons.  The five large tanks can be clearly seen on the 1:10000 map at the RCHAMS CANMAP (NS 22476 44380).  There were a number of smaller tanks by the railway siding (NS 22455 44148).  Another site with more buried tanks  is at NS 22821 45273 though this no longer appears on the 1:10000 map - there is a small building across the road at NS 22859 45393.  The first set of underground tanks have been removed leaving large holes but the second set seem to be still there as the ground has not been disturbed and there are some pipes visible in places.

 

There is a well ventilated brick building near the railway siding, this is presumably where the cans were filled with aviation fuel.