The Secret Bunker at St Andrews

Just 6 miles from St Andrews, 100 ft under the ground is one of the best-kept secrets in Scotland. For more than 50 years, the entrance to this relic of the cold war was hidden inside a non-descript farmhouse.

The Bunker

The bunker was built in 1953 by the RAF. It was a response to the Cold War actions of the USSR. The idea was that the bunker would be the seat of the Scottish government in the case of nuclear war. It could hose around 300 personnel, with separate accommodations for the secretary of state, private secretary and the military liaison staff. Inside the bunker, there are dormitories, a chapel and the control room. There is even a broadcasting studio. The BBC manned it. This was to ensure communications at all time, no matter what happened.

On your visit to the bunker, you can see relics from the Cold War, including the radar equipment and paperwork of the time. There is also a whole room set aside for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Here you will get a feel for the world that led to the stockpiling of nuclear arms by world powers and just how dangerous this still is today.

Planning Your Visit

Tickets can be bought either on-site or online in advance. If you buy your tickets online, you will need to make sure that you bring ID with you on the day. Children under the age of three go free. Tickets are £8.95 for children aged 4 -15. For over 16s tickets are £12.95.

The site is closed during the winter. However, since the bunker has been so popular, there are extended opening times planned for 2020. The site opens to visitors on the 1st of February and closes again for winter on the 30th of November. Daily opening times have yet to be decided so check out their website for details.

During your visit, you can dine at the secret bunker cafe. The cafe is set up in the old canteen. It was originally used to feed the 300 members of staff who worked in the bunker. Many of the original features are still on show. You can get both hot and cold food, cakes and coffee. The cafe opens from 11:15 - 16:00.