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Radar Station Summary WW II

⚠ (:tracetrails:)

When the Air Ministry started to create a network of radar stations immediately prior to the outbreak of war in 1939, pioneered by Robert Watson-Watt, they were assigned to Group areas for administration purposes. RAF Wings were also created in order to control them. The boundaries of RAF Groups, AA Commands and Civil Defence Regions were usually coterminous in order to make defence easier.

Dollarbeg Castle, historian
Dollarbeg Castle

Scotland came under RAF 13 Group (also being No 11 Civil Defence Region) and No 72 Wing RAF was formed in 1941 to control all radar stations from the Tees in Northern England to the Forth. It was based in Dollarbeg Castle, Dollar, Clackmannanshire (NS97169645), and later transferred stations to No 73 Wing in Newcastle in order to concentrate on controlling all radar stations in Scotland. When 79 Wing was disbanded on June 30, 1943, stations in Ulster were transferred to 72 Wing, which was eventually disbanded on April 15, 1944.

Radar stations evolved from the initial Chain Home equipment to Chain Home Low (CHL) and Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL), as frequency coverage was extended and the radar curtain lowered to try and prevent enemy aircraft sneaking in at low level. Ground Control Intercept (GCI) equipment was later developed to guide RAF fighters to their targets.

The Royal Navy used radar to monitor coastal convoys and any German U-Boats attempting to enter the Atlantic between Orkney and the mainland.

Station Number - Name - Location SecSco Page Notes
Chain Home Stations
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT840667 :) link='42 Drone Hill, Border. NT840667' :) Map jump Drone Hill provided long range early warning for the southern Firth of Forth approaches and Edinburgh.

Went out of service on October 16, 1939, due to blown valve, and not repaired until October 17. This allowed a raid by German aircraft of 1/KG30 to penetrate as far as the Forth Bridge, as AA defences were caught unaware. Three warships damaged in the firth and numerous casualties. Now a caravan site.

⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO486412 :) link='44 Douglas Wood, Angus. NO486412' :) Map jump Douglas Wood provided low level raid cover in central Scotland and the approaches to Dundee. Became CHL station.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO906981 :) link='46 School Hill, Angus. NO906981' :) Map jump School Hill provided low level raid cover for the central east coast of Scotland and the approaches to Aberdeen. Became CHL station.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ940619 :) link='47 Hillhead, Aberdeenshire. NJ940619' :) Map jump Hillhead provided long range early warning for north of Scotland. Exceptional remains. See RCAHMS and geograph
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NC959096 :) link='48 Loth, Highland. NC959096' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND320466 :) link='49 Thrumster, Highland. ND320466' :) Map jump Thrumster provided long range early warning for the extreme north of Scotland. RCAHMS entry
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY468040 :) link='50 Netherbutton, Orkney. HY468040' :) Map jump Nether Button provided long range early warning for raids approaching the Orkney and Shetland Islands and the naval bases there.

See Sub-Brit for more.

⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY75874547 :) link='51 Whale Head, Orkney. HY75874547' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU361156 :) link='54 [=Noss=] Hill, Shetland. HU361156' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HP674155 :) link='56 Shaw, Shetland. HP674155' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NC418675 :) link='57 Sango, Highland. HC418675' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NR210666 :) link='58 Saligo, Western Isles. NR210666' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NX099474 :) link='60 North Cairn, Dumfries & Galloway. NX099474' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL940455 :) link='82 Kilkenneth,Tiree. Argyll & Bute. NL940455' :) Map jump Kilkenneth Radar Station Port Mor Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL965417 :) link='83 Barrapol, Tiree, Argyll & Bute. NL965417' :) Map jump Chain Home Beam Station; Chain Home Low equipment fulfilling Chain Home functions.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NB509963 :) link='85 Habost, Lewis. Western Isles. NB509963' :) Map jump Chain Home Beam. Habost Chain Home Beam Radar Station NB5096 6286 Station became operational in 1942.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NF77325051 :) link='91 Borve Castle, Benbecula, Western Isles. NF77325051' :) Map jump Borve Castle Chain Home Beam Station NF7736 5055
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NB53103441 :) link='96 Broad Bay, Lewis, Western Isles. NB53103441' :) Map jump Eye Peninsula, Broad Bay Chain Home Radar Station NB5314 3447 There are believed to be no remains on this site.
Chain Home Low Stations
42 Drone Hill, Borders. Cf. CH stations.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT789741 :) link='42a Cockburnspath, Borders. NT789741' :) Map jump Cockburnspath provided low level raid cover for the southern approaches to the Firth of Forth.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO547084 :) link='43 Anstruther, Fife. NO547084' :) Map jump Scotland's Secret Bunker Anstruther provided long range early warning for raids approaching southern Scotland, Edinburgh and the Firth.
Long range, so not Chain Home Low.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO746636 :) link='45a St Cyrus, Angus. NO746636' :) Map jump St Cyrus provided long range early warning for central Scotland and the approaches to Dundee.
Long range station, so not Chain Home Low.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ967040 :) link='46a Doonies Hill, Aberdeenshire. NJ967040' :) Map jump Doonies Hill provided long range early warning for raids approaching central Scotland and Aberdeen.
Long range station, so not Chain Home Low.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ933668 :) link='47a Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire. NJ933668' :) Map jump Rosehearty provided low level raid cover for the east coast of northern Scotland.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NK089442 :) link='47b Cocklaw, Aberdeenshire. NK089442' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NH670806 :) link='48a Cromarty, Highland. NH670806' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND035156 :) link='48b Navidale, Highland. ND035156' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND320469 :) link='49a Thrumster, Highland. ND320469' :) Map jump RCAHMS entry
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND332423 :) link='49a Ulbster, Highland. ND332423' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND205765 :) link='49b Dunnet Head, Highland. ND205765' :) Map jump Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the installation will soon become a Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary
50a Deerness, Orkney.
50b South Ronaldsay Ward Hill Radar Station South Ronaldsay
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY44790660 :) link='51 Caitnip, Orkney. HY44790660' :) Map jump
53a Fair Isle North, Shetland. Ward Hill Radar Station Fair Isle Fair Isle provided low level raid cover in the Shetland-Orkneys gap.
53b Fair Isle South, Shetland.
54a Grutness, Shetland.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU408093 :) link='54a Compass Head, Shetland. HU408093' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU175525 :) link='55a Watsness, Shetland. HU175525' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HP632167 :) link='56a Saxa Vord, Shetland. HP632167' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HC417675 :) link='57a Sango, Highland. HC417675' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NR203611 :) link='58a Kilchairan, Argyll & Bute. NR203611' :) Map jump See Sub-Brit for pic and location NR207616
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY274290 :) link='72a Crustan, Orkney. HY274290' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NM54202150 :) link='80a Carsaig, Mull, Argyll & Bute. NM54202150' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL95046 :) link='82a Kilkenneth, Tiree, Argyll & Bute. NL95046' :) Map jump Kilkenneth Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NB529628 :) link='85a Eorodale, Lewis, Western Isles. NB529628' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NB531621 :) link='85a Eorodale (New Site). NB531621' :) Map jump Eorodale Chain Home Low Radar Station NB5319 6268 This site became operational in 1941. Also remains of Military Camp and Air Raid Shelter.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NF65870461 :) link='90a Greian Head, Barra, Western Isles. NF65870461' :) Map jump Greian Head Chain Home Low Radr Station NF6579 0463 Station became operational in 1942. There is also an Accomodation camp 3 km south at Tangusdale.
92a Kendrom, Skye, Highland. The imposing cliff-top structure between Flodigarry and Kilmaluag is no ancient hill fort but the exoskeleton of RAF Kendram, known by an Air Ministry innocent of Tippex or WP software as RAF Kendrom. This was a Chain Home Low radar station built in the late 1940s as part of an extended network to protect the UK.

The solid stone walls, enclosing a concrete floor, never had a roof. Instead a prefabricated building was erected inside to house radar equipment and operators. The walls seen today protected a timber shed against weather and possible bomb blast. Still to be seen are radio mast anchor points - HF radio being the means by which the station communicated with Stornoway sector station.

Several concrete foundations are visible lower down the slope and by the road is the old generator house. The entire camp extended as far as the Kilmaluag River, where an old pump house now serves as a store. A section of asbestos pipe which carried water to the main site is still visible, if you know where to look. Also extant is the motor pool building and associated concrete plinths.

At least one, and maybe more, Kendram RAF personnel billeted locally married local girls and settled down. RAF Kendram Retrieved September 26, 2010.

⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NG05218395 :) link='93a Rodel Park, Harris, Western Isles. NG05218395' :) Map jump Rodelpark Chain Home Low Radar Station NG0528 8389 operational from 1942 to 1944.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NB00152937 :) link='94a Islivick, Lewis, Western Isles. NB00152937' :) Map jump Druim Grunavat, Islivig Chain Home Low Radar Station NB0013 2939
95a Stoer, Highland.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU549614 :) link='96a Clett, Shetland. HU549614' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU363156 :) link='[=Noss=] Hill, Shetland. HU363156' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT959598 :) link='Lamberton Moor, Border. NT959598' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL943465 :) link='Beinn Hough, Tiree, Argyll & Bute. NL943465' :) Map jump Beinn Hough Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT590853 :) link='Gin Head. NT590853' :) Map jump Gin Head Radar Station
Coast Defence Stations
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ298196 :) link='M23 Westburn, Aberdeenshire. NJ298196' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO513373 :) link='M24 The Law, Angus. NO513373' :) Map jump
M27 Gin Head, Border. Gin Head Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NU008502 :) link='M32 Spittal, Highland. NU008502' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ529669 :) link='M145 Crannoch Hill, Aberdeenshire. NJ529669' :) Map jump
Ward Hill, Fair Isle, Shetland Ward Hill Radar Station Fair Isle
Ground Controlled Interception Stations
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NS362249 :) link='15G St. Quivox, S. Ayrshire. NS362249' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NS325364 :) link='15G Fullarton, N. Ayrshire. NS325364' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT519852 :) link='16G Dirleton, E. Lothian. NT519852' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY278225 :) link='17G North Town, Orkney. HY278225' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY301181 :) link='17G Russland, Orkney. HY301181' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NX117578 :) link='34G Dunragit, Dumfries & Galloway. NX117578' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NR670204 :) link='Machrihanish, Argyll & Bute. NR670204' :) Map jump Machrihanish Intermediate Ground Control Intercept Radar Station
Experimental Stations
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT593853 :) link='Tantallon, East Lothian. NT593853' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT15937516 :) link='Forth- Craigiehall Estate, City of Edinburgh. NT15937516' :) Map jump http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/138799/details/forth+nether+lennie/ GCI station at Nether Lennie Farm, Craigiehall Estate.
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NT656994 :) link='Isle of May, Fife. NT656994' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO615092 :) link='Fifeness, Fife. NO615092' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO398300 :) link='Dundee, City of Dundee. NO398300' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NO668418 :) link='Arbroath, Angus. NO668418' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NK097356 :) link='Port Errol, Aberdeenshire. NK097356' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NK122414 :) link='Stirling Hill, Aberdeenshire. NK122414' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ853616 :) link='Windyhead Hill, Aberdeenshire. NJ853616' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NJ525665 :) link='Crannoch Hill, Aberdeenshire. NJ525665' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND319468 :) link='Tannach, Highland. ND319468' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm ND202754 :) link='Buriffa Hill, Highland. ND202754' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY305903 :) link='South Walls, Orkney. HY305903' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HZ210734 :) link='Fair Isle III, Shetland. HZ210734' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HU388187 :) link='Scousburgh, Shetland. HU388187' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY420490 :) link='Couters Hill, Orkney. HY420490' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY254287 :) link='Hesta Geo, Orkney. HY254287' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm HY225093 :) link='Breckness, Orkney. HY225093' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NA991243 :) link='Brenish, Lewis, Western Isles. NA991243' :) Map jump Brenish, Mealista Chain Home Radar Station NA9913 2423 Completed 1942
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL943465 :) link='Beinn Hough, Tiree, Argyll & Bute. NL943465' :) Map jump Beinn Hough Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL938433 :) link='Port Mor, Tiree, Argyll & Bute. NL938433' :) Map jump Port Mor Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NL964429 :) link='Barrapol, Tiree Argyll & Bute. NL964429' :) Map jump
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NR670204 :) link='Machrihanish, Argyll & Bute. NR670204' :) Map jump Machrihanish Intermediate Ground Control Intercept Radar Station
⚠ (:gma-point ⚠ (:llVgm NS275746 :) link='Whinhill, Greenock. NS275746' :) Map jump Whinhill Observation Post Reported as an experimental radar station.
Known stations not included above
RAF Cresswell Cresswell provided low level raid cover for the north of England coast in the Newcastle region.
RAF Bamburgh Bamburgh provided long range early warning for raids approaching the north of England.
RAF Danby Beacon Danby Beacon provided long range early warning for raids approaching the north midlands and the industrial cities of the north of England.
RAF Ottercops Moss Ottercops Moss provided long range early warning for the industrial cities and shipbuilding yards of the central north of England.
RAF Shotton Shotton provided long range early warning for north of England in the Durham to Middlesbrough region.

External links

Map

⚠ (:gma-map view=sat :)

⚠ [[!World War II]] ⚠ [[!Radar Station]] ⚠ [[!Summary]] ⚠ (:WPCategoriesList:)

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