Hidden 100 feet beneath an unassuming farmhouse near St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, lies Scotland’s Secret Bunker.
Built in complete secrecy to counter the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, it remained a secret for over 40 years
I backpacked Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker in Essex. I backpacked Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker near Nantwich in Cheshire.
Scotland’s Secret Bunker is the third in the Nuclear Bunker Trilogy and the sixth and final blog post of the Top Secret Underground War Bunkers in the UK.
A purpose-built 24,000 sq ft labyrinth (the size of 2 football pitches) on two levels, 100ft below ground.
Construction of the bunker began in 1951 and took a year to build. Civil engineers and other private contractors all signed the Official Secrets Act.
Those delivering raw materials had to leave their trucks at the end of the driveway.
The construction involved digging a hole 40 metres deep and building an office block with concrete reinforced with tungsten steel below ground, then covering it up with the earth from the hole.
History of the Bunker
The bunker was originally built as part of Britain’s early warning radar system known as ROTOR. This bunker was an R3 type and one of the largest in the UK.
Between 1953 and 1956, it was manned by the RAF
From 1958 to 1968, it served as a Regional Government HQ, run by the Civil Defence Corps.
The bunker underwent a complete overhaul and was designated as the Central Government HQ for Scotland in the event of a nuclear war.
Arrival at the Secret Bunker:
From the entrance, you go down a flight of stairs. The main tunnel is 150 yards long and encased in solid concrete 18 inches thick. At the end of the main tunnel are blast doors, each weighing 1.5 tons. The walls of the bunker are lined with concrete, reinforced with tungsten bars, 10 feet thick.
Decommissioned in 1992, it opened to the public in 1994.
Nomadic Backpacker on the self-guided tour at Scotland’s Secret Bunker:
Using the audio guide, you can explore the bunker, and I recommend paying the £3 extra.
Explore the radar and communications rooms, the bunk-bed dormitories, and learn about what would have been involved had Britain been attacked by a nuclear missile.
The original canteen:
Planning your trip to Scotland’s Secret Bunker
For the latest information, check the Scotland’s Secret Bunker official website.
How to get to Scotland’s Secret Bunker
The StageCoach X60 passes 2.6km from the bunker on its way from St Andrews to Edinburgh.
I took the #99 bus from Dundee, which runs every 10 minutes to St Andrews and then switched to the X60. Note, there is no Sunday service on the X60.
I bought a DayRider ticket for £11, which allows unlimited travel in Scotland using Stagecoach.
From the Crossroads bus stop, it’s a 28-minute walk to the Bunker; although the sign says 1 mile, it’s a bit further.
Buses return to St Andrew’s at 53 minutes past. There ain’t anywhere to shelter if it rains.
Opening Times
The bunker is open every day from February 1st to October 31st, 10 am to 5 pm.
Entrance Tickets
Adults (16-64 years): £17.95
Child (4-15 years): £12.95
Concession ticket: £15.95
For school groups, please contact them directly.
Address
Scotland’s Secret Bunker
Crown Buildings
Troywood
Nr St Andrews
Fife
KY16 8QH
