Building record MAB29189 - RAF BUCHAN TYPE 7 RADAR STATION, MYRES

Remains of an underground bunker and associated buildings in use during the Cold War as an R7 Mk III ROTOR radar bunker.

Remains of an underground bunker and associated buildings in use during the Cold War as an R7 Mk III ROTOR radar bunker. It was built as a satellite radar station for RAF Buchan 1952. As a type 7 radar, sited remotely from the control centre: the transmitter, receiver and motor for turning the aerial array were located underground in a bunker. At the southern end of the site is a large concrete slab which caps the access to the bunker below. The bunker comprises three rooms with a closet for a chemical toilet. The bunker is partly flooded, either through water having seeped through the walls, or from rainwater entering via one of the open hatches at ground level (or a combination of the two). Above ground, at the north end of the site, are two structures. The substation for the radar is a small red brick building measuring circa 2.5 m by 4 m with a flat concrete roof. To the south is a concrete built structure circa 3 m square, a Type 79 IFF, with pre-cast concrete roof which house the radar equipment. Standing building survey of these three structures was carried out by Cameron Archaeology in July 2023. The northernmost building is rectangular measuring 5.75 m by 2.76 m, of bricks laid in a distinct pattern, and with a concrete roof. To the south the other building measures 3.66 m square, of concrete, standing on a concrete base, the interior a single room. A raised plinth in the northwest corner is thought to be an equipment stand. A switchboard on the west wall bears a manufacturer’s plate reading ‘Switchboard Type 350 designed and manufactured by Scanners Ltd. Pelaw-on-Tyne, England’. Demolition debris was noted between the two northern buildings and to the east of these, although there were no obvious structural foundations. The interior of the bunker was unsafe to enter so not recorded. The roof, flush with the ground, measures 17.4 m by 6 m, of concrete with the remains of roof felt material. There are six access hatches and 12 circular vents. A heavily overgrown circular features towards the southern end may indicate some equipment mounted on the exterior of the building.

ENVIROSURVEYING LTD, 2014, PHASE I SITE INVESTIGATION: ARDMACHRON, CRUDEN BAY, ABERDEENSHIRE (Bibliographic reference). SAB488.

CAMERON ARCHAEOLOGY, 2023, ARDMACHRON, CRUDEN BAY, PETERHEAD: REPORT ON LEVEL 1 STANDING BUILDING SURVEY, L1 SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB8643.

Record last edited

Nov 7 2023 2:07PM