Site Records

SiteName: 'RAF Scarinish' ('FLY') GCI R8 ROTOR Radar Station

Beinn Ghott
Isle of Tiree, Argyllshire
OS Grid Ref: NM032456

Sub Brit site visit 31st July 2003

The main part of the technical site was located on a flat area to the west of Beinn Gott, between the hill and Loch Caol. Here a number of buildings survive including the stand-by set house, high voltage switchgear house, sub station, sewage ejection building and a water tank overlooking the site. Close to the sub station is a large secure fenced dog compound. Although the R8 operations block has gone, its 'footprint' is clearly visible as a series of concrete bases with a ramp and steps up to an entrance porch. The guardhouse was of the standard rotor design for an R6 (i.e. shorter than those found at underground stations). This has also been demolished; it was located alongside the extant sewage ejection building.

Most of the radar array buildings can still be seen scattered across the hillside. The two buildings that were straddled by a 25' gantry are of brick construction; the concrete bases for the gantry are still in place around the buildings. The remaining plinths are of concrete construction with metal 'ring' on the roof that would have mounted the radar arrays. One of the 8' plinths is semi sunken with steps down into it while the 12' plinths have steps up into the building. One of the 8' plinths has been demolished, this was located close to the Type 80 modulator building.

Close to the western perimeter fence there is an area of hard standing for the Mobile Type 11 (M) radar which was housed in two vehicles, an RVT435F on which the aerial array was mounted and an RVT467 that housed the radar equipment. The equipment was plugged into a cable jointing chamber which is still extant. This consists of a free standing 'cupboard' containing switchgear and connection points for the radar.

Type 11 mobile radar

The whole site was surrounded by chain link fencing and all the concrete fence posts can still be seen ringing the hill.

The domestic camp for a radar station is always sited some distance away from the technical site. On top of Balphetrish Hill, two miles to the north west, there is another chain link fenced compound with two rectangular concrete 'barrack' with hipped roofs and two RAF style concrete buildings with flat roofs. This could be the domestic sight for RAF Scarinish, although buildings of this design have not been seen at other rotor sites.

Further pictures of this site can be seen here

Sources:

• Bob Jenner
• Cold War - Bulding for the nuclear controntation 1946-1989 - published by English Heritage ISBN 1 873592 69 8
• PRO File relating to radar head number codes AIR2/11180
• Tiree Archive

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