11 hours ago
The 38 nuclear bunkers in Scotland you need to know about as WW3 fears surge
Many Scottish bunkers were built in World War Two and were upgraded during the Cold War
Scotland holds a crucial place in Britain's vast network of underground bunkers, developed over decades to protect the nation in times of conflict.
This network, made up of anti-aircraft operation rooms, regional war rooms, underground Observer Corps posts, command bunkers, emergency centres, and radar stations, includes 38 nuclear bunkers scattered across the country.
Many of these Scottish sites date back to the Second World War and were later converted to withstand nuclear threats during the Cold War. Others were newly built to defend against potential Soviet attacks.
While peaceful relations with Russia have since been established and many bunkers across Britain have fallen into disuse or been sold off, a significant number remain operational in Scotland, ready to be used if nuclear conflict arises with Russia or other hostile states.
Research from Subterranea Britannica reveals a total of 284 fallout shelters across the UK, Express reports, with eight new discoveries adding to their records in recent months.
Of these, 38 are in Scotland, highlighting the country's vital strategic role.
One of Scotland's most remarkable bunkers is Pitreavie Castle Combined HQ. Originally a fortified house built in the early 17th century, the castle was sold to the Air Ministry in 1938.
An underground bunker was built beneath it, which during the Second World War coordinated operations for both RAF Coastal Command and the Royal Navy. Following the war, Pitreavie Castle served as a UK and NATO maritime headquarters until its closure in 1996.
Subterranea Britannica notes that it housed the No. 18 Group headquarters, responsible for maritime air operations north of Flamborough Head in Yorkshire, covering northern and western Scottish waters.
Naval operations from Flamborough Head to Wick in Caithness were commanded from Rosyth by the Navy's Commander-in-Chief.
Full list of Scotland's nuclear bunkers:
Aberdeen Civil Defence Control
Aberdeen Tertowie House Grampian Regional Council Emergency Centre
Aird Uig Rotor Radar Station
Anstruther Rotor Radar Station and Scotland North Zone HQ
Ayr ROC Group HQ
Barnton Quarry Rotor SOC and Regional Seat of Government
Buchan R7 Remote Type 7 Radar
Buchan Rotor Radar Station
Burntisland Railway Control Centre
Cragiehall AAOR
Craigiebarns Dundee ROC Group HQ
Crosslaw Rotor Radar Station
Cultybraggan RGHQ
East Kilbride Western Zone Regional War Room
Edinburgh City Control
Elgin Pinefields Area Control
Falkirk Civil Defence Headquarters
Faraid Head Rotor Radar Station
Gairloch AAOR
Inverbervie Rotor Radar Station
Inverkip AAOR
Inverness Raigmore Highland Emergency Centre
Inverness ROC HQ
Inverurie Gordon District Council Emergency Centre
Kilchiaran Rotor Radar Station
Kirknewton Regional War Room and Scottish Eastern Zone HQ
Northfield Aberdeen ROC Group HQ
Oban ROC Group HQ
Pitreavie Castle Combined HQ
Portree bunker
Saxa Vord Rotor Radar Station
Schoolhill ROC Sector Control
Stonehaven Kincardine and Deeside District Council Emergency Centre
Tayside Regional Council Emergency Centre
Torrance House AAOR
Turnhouse Edinburgh ROC Group HQ
Uddingston BT Repeater
Wick Rotor Radar Station
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Beyond government bunkers, Scotland is also seeing growth in private underground shelters.
As fears of war and unrest rise, demand for secure safe rooms has surged by up to 400 per cent in recent years, with companies like Subterranean Spaces and The Panic Room Company reporting skyrocketing interest.
Basic backyard bunkers can cost around £10,000, while luxury shelters fitted with cinemas, gyms, and independent power supplies can top £3million.
Wealthy clients across the UK, especially in Scotland, London, and Wales, are investing in these bunkers not only as protection but as lifestyle features, doubling as wine cellars or entertainment spaces.
