Middle Hill is an area littered with a variety of military buildings and facilities. In 1727 Middle Hill Battery had a Signal gun and by 1859 there was still only one gun but by 1900 six 10-inch RML guns were in position similar to Spyglass Battery further to the south on the ridge. The layout consisted of two rows of three guns in a rectangular concrete enclosure as can be seen in the 1908 Ordnance Survey map opposite. These guns had a range of 9000 yards and were intended to bear on land batteries in Spain. During the WW2 a Bofers gun occupied the site.

The Google Earth image in the key map above shows the layout of buildings in 2009, this image is rotated 90 degrees anti-clockwise compared to the OS map.

A

The sunken area which housed the original battery now contains the remains of an air conditioning plant for some of the tunnels, the building also contained an electricity transformer.

The original magazine and store rooms are still in place in the surrounding concrete emplacement. One room was converted to become the Aardvark Bar used by RAF personnel.

The photograph below shows the view looking north. The steep hill leads up to the MOD facilities on top of the Rock. The general area of Middle Hill is still under MOD jurisdiction and should not be approached.

B

The Nursery Hut (Barrack), is shown in the 1908 Ordnance Survey map. The barrack is now in poor condition.

C

This group of buildings is known as the Middle Hill Group as named in the 1908 Ordnance Survey map. The view over Catalan Bay and eastern side of the Rock is superb

D

This derelict observation post sits on high ground with commanding views northward.

E

This group of derelict buildings has been used in recent years as a feeding station for the group of Rock Apes which are known as the Middle Hill Group.

F

These steps lead up to the highest point at Middle Hill shown in section G below.

G

The very large concrete platform on the highest point on the ridge can be seen in the upper right of the photograph below. This structure once supported a radio antenna.

The platform provides a superb vantage point for members of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GOHNS) to study bird migration between Europe and Africa. Gibraltar lies on one of the largest bird migratory routes in Europe. The series of panoramic photographs below show the view to the north towards Spain, west over the bay and south towards Africa.