Barnton Quarry

Barnton Quarry is a three-level underground bunker complex built into Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh with a network of interconnected tunnels. The facility features reinforced concrete walls and blast-proof doors designed to withstand external pressure and impact.

The Royal Air Force built this facility in 1942 to coordinate air defense operations during World War II from an underground command center. After the war, it was converted for surveillance and nuclear emergency operations during the Cold War era.

Local artists regularly use the bunker as a subject for photography and sketching sessions to document its architectural importance. This creative engagement helps keep the memory of its military purpose alive for visitors.

Access is only by guided tour on specific days led by knowledgeable guides who explain the site's history and structure. Wear comfortable shoes and expect stairs and narrow passageways throughout the underground sections.

The bunker was equipped with specialized radio and telephone systems designed to maintain contact with radar stations across Scotland during potential nuclear crises. This technical capability made it a vital link in Britain's defense network during Cold War tensions.