Scotland's Secret Bunker - RAF Troywood - Fife
Updated: February 10, 2025 | Tagged: Secret Underground Bunkers
Scotland's Secret Bunker was an R3-style bunker which served as a radar station and later a Civil Defence Corps facility.
Hidden 100 feet below an innocent-looking farmhouse at RAF Troywood, near St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, the bunker was built in complete secrecy in 1953 against the threat of a nuclear war with the Soviet Union and has been labelled as Scotland's Best Kept Secret.
Hidden 100 feet below an innocent-looking farmhouse at RAF Troywood, near St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, the bunker was built in complete secrecy in 1953 against the threat of a nuclear war with the Soviet Union and has been labelled as Scotland's Best Kept Secret.
I backpacked Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker in Essex, and I backpacked Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker near Nantwich in Cheshire.
And now I have backpacked Scotland's Secret Bunker, which is halfway between St Andrews and Anstruther in Fife at what is known as RAF Troywood. A hat trick of Secret Cold War Underground Bunkers in the UK. Dark Tourism at its finest.
Hidden beneath an innocent-looking Scottish farmhouse lies Scotland’s Secret Bunker, Scotland's best-kept secret.
Had there been a nuclear war, this is where Scotland would have been governed.
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 were made to sign the Official Secrets Act.
Those delivering raw materials had to leave their trucks at the end of the driveway and were taken the last few hundred yards by an official worker.
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.
And now I have backpacked Scotland's Secret Bunker, which is halfway between St Andrews and Anstruther in Fife at what is known as RAF Troywood. A hat trick of Secret Cold War Underground Bunkers in the UK. Dark Tourism at its finest.
Hidden beneath an innocent-looking Scottish farmhouse lies Scotland’s Secret Bunker, Scotland's best-kept secret.
Had there been a nuclear war, this is where Scotland would have been governed.
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 were made to sign the Official Secrets Act.
Those delivering raw materials had to leave their trucks at the end of the driveway and were taken the last few hundred yards by an official worker.
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.
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.
It was manned by the RAF from 1953 to 1956.
When the technology at the bunker became outdated, it was closed for 2 years until the Civil Defence Corps moved in and was used as a Regional government HQ for 10 years from 1958 to 1968.
After being refurbished and the ventilation system given a complete overhaul, the bunker was set aside as a Central Government HQ for Scotland if a nuclear war had broken out.
Arrival at the Secret Bunker:
It was manned by the RAF from 1953 to 1956.
When the technology at the bunker became outdated, it was closed for 2 years until the Civil Defence Corps moved in and was used as a Regional government HQ for 10 years from 1958 to 1968.
After being refurbished and the ventilation system given a complete overhaul, the bunker was set aside as a Central Government HQ for Scotland if a nuclear war had broken out.
Arrival at the Secret Bunker:
From the entrance, you go down a flight of stairs and then enter the main tunnel, which is 150 yards long and encased in solid concrete 18 inches thick. This takes you to the main bunker, which is protected by blast doors that weigh 1½ tons each. From then on, the bunker is encased in concrete reinforced with tungsten bars, 10 feet thick.
It was decommissioned in 1992 and opened to the public in 1994.
Nomadic Backpacker on the self-guided tour at Scotland's Secret Bunker:
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. And even say 'hi' to the bunker cat. (I'm not kidding. There are 2 apparently.
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. And even say 'hi' to the bunker cat. (I'm not kidding. There are 2 apparently.
There is even a coffee shop. It's the original canteen that was used, open 24/7, when the bunker was manned in the early years.
Planning your trip to Scotland's Secret Bunker
For latest information, check the Scotland's Secret Bunker official website for more details.
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. It's signed as 1 mile, but more like 1.5 miles.
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. It's signed as 1 mile, but more like 1.5 miles.
Buses return to St Andrew's at 53 minutes past. There ain't anywhere to shelter if it rains. And the bus is coming from Edinburgh, so be prepared to wait.
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.
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
Crown Buildings
Troywood
Nr St Andrews
Fife
KY16 8QH
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