Scotland's Secret Bunker

Fife


This fascinating – and chilling – monument to Cold War paranoia was built in the 1950s to serve as one of Britain’s regional command centres in the event of a nuclear war. Hidden 30m underground and encased in nearly 5m of reinforced concrete, it houses two levels of austere operations rooms, communication centres, broadcasting studios, weapons stores and dormitories, filled with period artefacts and museum displays. The bunker is 3 miles north of Anstruther, off the B9131 to St Andrews.

You can book a Go-Flexi 'taxibus' from Anstruther (£2.30) or take a standard taxi (around £20) from St Andrews.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fife attractions

1. Kingsbarns Distillery

2.44 MILES

This distillery opened in 2015 and uses Fife-grown barley to create a distinctive Lowland whisky – it takes a minimum of three years' maturation to create…

2. Cambo Walled Garden

2.6 MILES

Cambo Estate, 2.5 miles north of Crail, is the country seat of the Erskine family. Its walled garden, with an ornamental stream running through the middle…

3. Crail Museum

2.86 MILES

The village’s history and involvement with the fishing industry are outlined in the Crail Museum, which also provides tourist information.

4. Scottish Fisheries Museum

3.37 MILES

This excellent museum covers the history of the Scottish fishing industry in fascinating detail, including plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids. Displays…

5. Kellie Castle

3.78 MILES

An authentic example of Lowland Scottish domestic architecture, Kellie Castle has creaky floors, crooked little doorways, superb decorative plasterwork…

6. St Fillan’s Cave

4.12 MILES

St Fillan’s Cave was used as a chapel by a 7th-century missionary who reputedly possessed miraculous powers – apparently, when he wrote his sermons in the…

7. St Monans Heritage Collection

5.23 MILES

Situated on the harbour, St Monans Heritage Collection is a small gallery devoted to the history of the St Monans fishing industry through a collection of…

8. St Andrews Cathedral

5.92 MILES

All that's left of one of Britain's most magnificent medieval buildings are ruined fragments of wall and arch, and a single towering gable, but you can…