Hidden behind a wall of trees lies an eerie abandoned Scots housing estate once used by the military and their families. Craigiehall near Edinburgh served as a headquarters for the British army up until 2015.
The housing estate near the A90 in South Queensferry, which was built to accommodate troops and their families, has turned into a ghost village after being abandoned by the MOD. It was closed for good in 2019 when Army Headquarters Scotland merged with 51st Infantry Brigade at Forthside Barracks in Stirling.
According to Edinburgh Live, despite security, vandalism has plagued the site with smashed windows and broken fences becoming a common sight. Exposed to the elements, the once-white housing has black and brown patches and paint can be seen pealing from the facades.
Originally a 17th century country house, Craigiehall has an impressive history and was requisitioned by the Armed Forces in 1939. After it was bought by the MoD in 1951, it was established as the Headquarters for the Army in Scotland. As well as serving at the HQ for the Black Watch and in the 1950s, it was the site for of a Cold War Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Operations Room.
Proposals were launched in 2019 to knock the site down and turn it into a 1,200-home village with a hotel which could sleep 100 people, and a park and ride. These were later scrapped.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “These properties are no longer in use by the MOD and we are in discussions with planning authorities about potential future development.
“We are aware there has been vandalism on some of the properties and we are working quickly to put 24/7 guarding on site.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
