Site Records

Site Name: RAF Faraid Head ('RAI') CEW R10 ROTOR Radar Station

Faraid Head
Durness, Sutherland
OS Grid Ref: NC389714

Sub Brit site visit 10th June 2004

In order to provide communication between the controllers in the R10 operations block at RAF Faraid Head and the intercepting aircraft, two VHF/UHF multi-channel radio transmitter and receiver blocks were at built at remote sites to the south of Faraid Head. The blocks were remotely sited to stop interference and swamping of the radio signals by the radar arrays. Transmitter and receiver blocks come in two sizes, designated 'small' and 'large'; those at Faraid Head are small.

Each site consisted of two buildings, the operations building and a standby set house. As built the transmitter site comprised the transmitter hall, mechanical and electrical room, store, workshop, staff room and toilet. The electrical room also housed GPO equipment with a tower and microwave link to the main operations site.

The two buildings stand at Mael A' Bhuic, another headland one mile south east of Faraid Head. Both buildings have been stripped of any original fittings and have been partly demolished as part of a training exercise. They are due to be blown up by the Royal Engineers as part of a future exercise. To the rear of the buildings four concrete mast bases and the stub of the transmitter aerial tower can also be seen.

The smaller receiver block is located at Aodanm Mhor, a third headland half a mile south east of the receiver site. It has not been visited but can be clearly seen from the transmitter site. As built the receiver site comprised a receiver room, mechanical and electrical room, store, workshop, staff room and toilet. A VHF fixer site was also located at Durness.

Photo:The domestic camp at Balnakeil
Photo by Nick Catford

Initially the domestic camp for the adjacent Sango Chain Home radar station was used until the new camp at Balnakeil was built. This camp is largely intact; it was sold by the MOD in 1964 and now houses the Balkaneil Craft Centre.

The camp at Balnakeil consisted of the following buildings: guardhouse, armoury, fire tender shed, dog compound, main stores, inflammable stores, MT (Motor transport) shed, MT workshop, petrol pump facility, AMW office and store, station headquarters, post office, airman's mess and rations store, airman's institute and NAAFI staff quarters, airman's quarters, airwomen's quarters, officers mess and quarters, sergeant's mess and quarters, sick quarters and a sub station.

Photo:1:25000 map showing the various elements of RAF Faraid Head
Photo by Nick Catford

Sources:

• Bob Jenner
• PRO file Air 2/2062

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