Common Gull

Flying over the River Leven in Dumbarton.

In the background, the powder magazine of Dumbarton Castle.

Storing gunpowder was a dangerous business. In 1748, a powder magazine was built at the top of Dumbarton Rock to hold up to 150 barrels of the highly explosive material. This lock and key helped to keep them safe.

To prevent sparks that could ignite the powder, copper was used to make the lock and key rather than the usual iron. The key is stamped “MAGAZINE” and “SHIFTING ROOM” on one side and has an ordnance mark on the other. Quoted from Historic Environment Scotland