This fascinating relic of the Cold War – a nuclear bunker built within 50 miles of Edinburgh and Glasgow – has come onto the market
A nuclear bunker which was built for the Scottish Government in the event of a Cold War attack has come onto the market.
Located beneath the rolling Scottish hills a mile and a half south of Comrie, within 50 miles of both Edinburgh and Glasgow, is the Cultybraggan Camp, one of the best preserved purpose-built World War II prisoner-of-war camps in Britain.
Tucked away in the northern corner of the former Cultybraggan camp lies a fascinating structure; a massive bunker constructed in secret to house up to 150 staff, sealed away from the outside world and protected from nuclear, biological and electromagnetic attacks.
With its own BBC studio, canteen, telephone exchange and dormitories, the resident’s main role would have been planning for and overseeing the re-building of a post apocalypse Scotland.
The bunker was completed in 1990 and is thought to be the last and most technologically advanced structure ever built specifically in relation to the Cold War threat. The construction cost was in the region of £30m (construction costs today would be around £90m).
As the keys to the newly finished bunker were being handed over by construction firm Kier, the Cold War was rapidly thawing out and thankfully, the bunker was never required. Following devolution, it was passed to the Scottish Executive as a Regional Emergency Planning Headquarters and then soon after this, it was sold to the Ministry of Defence.
The Cultybraggan Camp was purchased by the Comrie Development Trust (CDT) in 2007 who set about breathing life into the redundant buildings on the site, which is now a thriving community focus. The Trust has developed the site over the last three years in partnership with other organisations with a £450,000 infrastructure works package to upgrade the drainage, sewage, electricity, telecoms and water. They have also converted nine of the nissen huts and the former central mess building that are now rented out to successful local businesses including one of the country’s top catering companies. Proposals are now being developed to supply the camp with renewable energy.
Andrew Black, an associate at Carter Jonas said: ‘This really is a fascinating installation which would suit a variety of uses including high security computer data storage, a disaster recovery facility or even a temperature controlled fine wine store. This is the first step in a historic route as the Trust is calling for interested parties to come forward and develop this truly unique building set within the magnificent backdrop of the surrounding hills and glens on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.’
The bunker has a guide price of £400,000. For further information, telephone Andrew Black on: 01939 210171 or email: Andrew.black@carterjonas.co.uk.
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