The Devil's Porridge Museum

About The Devil's Porridge Museum

What is Devil's Porridge?

When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle came to visit H.M. Factory Gretna in World War One, he saw munitions workers mixing explosive materials in large nitrating pans. He described the process in the local newspaper as "the nitro-glycerine on the one side and the gun-cotton on the other are kneaded together into a sort of devil's porridge." This is where our museum's name comes from! Learn more about H.M. Factory Gretna and those who worked there through our interactive displays at The Devil's Porridge Museum. Agnes, our hologram, will tell you all about her life as a munition worker too!

Stories from The Solway Military Coast.

That's not all! We continue to share the local history from World War Two and beyond including:
- Quintinshill Rail Accident;
- Evacuees in the Local Area;
- RAF Annan;
- And Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station ( this was the first Nuclear Power Station in Scotland ).

Interactive Displays.

There's something for all the family to enjoy at The Devil's Porridge Museum from:
- Climbing aboard a World War One, fireless locomotive;
-Dressing up;
- And exploring our hands-on 1940s house display;
- To sitting in an Anderson Shelter!

Our Café.

You don't have to visit The Devil's Porridge Museum to enjoy our Café!

We source products from our local butcher and use seasonal vegetables grown on-site in our Dig for Victory Garden whenever we can. Each day we have a different selection of homemade scones to choose from. Plus, we have homemade cakes, scones, drinks and biscuits!

Our main menu is served from 10:30pm to 2:00pm, but can continue to enjoy homemade cakes, scones, drinks and biscuits until 4pm (3pm on Sundays).

A Five Star Award Winning Experience.

- We're a Visit Scotland five star rated attraction.
- Our visitors have awarded us a Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Award in 2025 and 2024!
- Winner of Celebrating Thriving Communities Award at the South of Scotland Thistle Awards in 2023.
- Winner of Best Visitor Attraction Experience in the West of Scotland at the Scottish Thistle Award's Regional Finals in 2022.
- Shortlisted in 2019 for "The Most Family Friendly Museum in the UK" award from Kids in Museums.
- Winner of Best Heritage Tourism Experience in the West of Scotland at the Scottish Thistle Award's Regional Finals in 2018.

Not bad for a museum which first started as a small exhibition in St John's Church in Eastriggs, thanks to some passionate volunteers. We still have a team of friendly volunteers who help to keep our museum running today!

Further Information

If you would like more information about what to expect from your visit, please remember to check our website.

We hope to welcome you to The Devil's Porridge Museum soon!