Arrochar Torpedo Testing Station Loch Long- August 2012

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Bunkerkid

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The torpedo station at Arrochar was operational from 1912 to 1986. Torpedos were fired down Loch Long from the site. Originally an Admiralty facility, the range became the Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range, later referred to as both the Loch Long Torpedo Range, and the Arrochar Torpedo Range. Plans have been drawn up to turn the site now considered an eyesore by the local community into a multi-million pound hotel complex and in 2007 demolition work of the former site began. However a fire caused significant damage to the jetty area of the same year so demolition work ceased.

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Since then the site has been getting more and more damaged as the years go by.

More history can be found here plus loads of original pics of the site in operation: http://www.arrocharheritage.com/HistoryOfTheRange.htm

Me and Tankman were on a Scottish road trip and someone recommended we check this site out, so we did! Was pouring down with rain and after staying in the area we thought we may as well get out and do something, so after getting soaked in this whole explore we was glad for getting back to our nice warm B&B and the local pub. Very easy explore but for the weather was perfect, thought we was rumbled at one point but turned out to be a local fisherman heading to the pier. Other than that no bother, TM thought the houses opposite were a problem but we soon discovered we would have no issue with the tenants!

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The torpedo station from across the loch in Arrochar itself.

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This was also on the other side of the loch, some sort of jetty most likely connected to the site.

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Part of the main gate, torpedo propeller bolted in and rusting away!

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Round the corner is some Nissan huts which would have originally been mechanical workshops, they have been used as recently as 2010 from paperwork we found so amazing how quickly they have deteriorated!

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Urbex dartboard ;)

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Original hoist, used for loading torpedos onto trolleys most likely.

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Very nice boiler rusting away round the back!

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Retro caravan blown up, looks like a top gear job! In the back you can see some of the attempted demolition work prior to fire.

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Pillbox, not sure what type?

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Torpedo launching bays area.

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Fire torpedo out there, gorgeous views!

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Torpedo hoist

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Found some glitto in the bogs, pretty destroyed though but good stuff :lol:

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These are the houses we thought were occupied, turns out they are totally trashed. Some have satellite dishes though so are fairly modern, last seemed to be abandoned in 2008 from what we could gather. Someone still cuts the bush over the road though, who is the mystery gardener?

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New cooker, ready to go!

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That's your explanation for them leaving, and on our visit we couldn't blame them so left too!

Thanks for looking, is my first report on here so any feedback welcome :)
 
Someone's ripped open the Nissan hut doors since my last visit. Also every time I see new photos of the place the caravan is always in a different location.
 

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