‘Doors Open Day’ Part One: “I came, I saw, I conquered (The Sat Nav, that is)”
This month, across Scotland, the doors of both public and private buildings spring open to welcome the general public. The 'Doors Open Day’ initiative, led by the Scottish Civil Trust, Archaeology Scotland and supported by Historic Scotland started in 1990, initially in Glasgow and Ayr. Due to its overwhelming popularity, it quickly spread to the rest of Scotland, with more than 800 properties expected to open to the public this year.
After doing some research on the website (which has a handy feature called ‘My List’ which you can add properties to and print out, all without having to sign up for an account), I discovered that not only was Inverness Castle (now the sheriff court) open but also, Highland Council have an emergency centre that was originally a war-time operations bunker. Yes, that’s right, an underground bunker that is still in use.
One of my friends, Debby, was coming up for the day from Glasgow to visit me. Upon finding out what I had in store for her, she was more than game (this is why I have the coolest friends).
I picked Debby up from the train station at half ten and we immediately headed for the bunker. I thought I was heading to the Raigmore area so in my 'blind' wisdom (and big-headedness), I decided to completely ignore my Sat Nav and go towards the hospital. My Sat Nav repaid me in kind by insisting we go back onto the A9 into the city centre. Then, I missed another turn. And ended up back on the A9. Finally, completely confused, I decided to actually listen to her (that’s what I pay her for, after all) and she took us to an unassuming housing estate. After another five minutes of driving in circles (which was fast becoming a hobby of mine at this point), I caught sight of a ‘Doors Open Day’ banner and we both cheered in delight. I’m not complaining at all for having difficulties because 1. I should have listened to my Sat Nav and 2. It’s a bunker, it’s not supposed to be conspicuous.
The bunker (official name ‘The Highland Council Emergency Centre) was originally built in 1941 during the Second World War for the RAF in order to process information from various RADAR stations and other sources in and around the Scottish Coast. The only surviving shelter out of three, it is still in use today for civil defence and emergency planning. However, I’m sure if there was a need for its services again, the shelter would be an excellent base of operations due to its ability to withstand a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical (NBC) attack.
Remain on your feet, Soldier!
As we approached the entrance, I began to worry slightly. Would I have to squeeze my way down a small metal ladder to enter the shelter? or crawl through a metal tube? I'm being serious, these were all genuine fears. Therefore, I was quite relieved when we discovered it was just a nice, normal staircase. Phew.
The shelter was incredibly interesting. Well-signposted, lots of information and with staff available for more in-depth discussion, the base was very easy to navigate around. Most of the rooms were open except for a small few (which the staff insist is only for health and safety reasons, not due to ‘secrecy’). If I was to describe it, It was like a two-storey office block, with lots of corridors, meeting rooms etc.
There were a few unusual sights on the tour, including a shower on the lower floor which was anything but private. However, when we entered one room full of telephones, only to find that they were all connected, it served us a stark reminder that this was still a working facility.
Debby enjoying a rather ‘public’ shower
Offering superb insight into a bygone era of war, political tension and nuclear threat, the Emergency Centre comes highly recommended the next time ‘Doors Open Day’ comes a knocking in Inverness. And if there is ever a crisis or more likely, a zombie apocalypse, I know exactly where I’ll be headed now.
For more information on ‘Doors Open Day’ and the list of places which are opening their doors throughout September, please click here.
