Report - Fearn Aerodrome, Control Tower, Reportette - 14-11-07

[zimbob]

Nipped in past here on the way home with Bryag - cheers for the driving mate

This is part of Fearn Aerodrome, near Nigg
A little history (courtesy of "www.controltowers.co.uk" agian - good site!)

Opened as a satellite to Tain.
15/7/42 Transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Owl, a torpedo training school.
22/3/43 to 6/43, 747 Sqn formed here with Barracudas, moved to Inskip.
29/2/44 to 28/6/44, 841 Sqn.
5/44 to 10/44, 747 Sqn returned.
7/44 to 11/44, 717 Sqn formed here, moved to Rattray.
8/44 to 10/44, 714 Sqn re-formed here, moved to Rattray.
11/44 to 4/45, 837 Sqn.
3/45 to 7/45, 816 Sqn.
4/45 to 8/45, 817 Sqn.
7/45 to 8/45, 736 Sqn with Seafires.
11/45 to 5/46, 860 Sqn.
12/45 to 3/46, 708 Sqn, Firebrand Tactical Trials Unit.

Last we'd heard, this had been purchased for £45,000 (2003) and was going to be converted into a house - way cool

But it hadn't - has been completely stripped, not even any window-frames left!
Loads of holes knocked through the internal walls wierdly, we wondered if this is because it a Grade C listed building, someone was maybe hopen to weaken the structure so it comes down, thus getting round any planning issues

Some pics

Holes though walls :crazy

Though they were some handy holes for getting onto the top level

Concrete table-type thingies on top floor

Bryag on balcony - a little wobbly in places - the balcony, not Bryag

Darkness was falling, figured we'd leave the place to the ghosts

Shame the place was so stripped/trashed, but good to see it before something bad happens to it!

 

[bryag]

Thanks to Zimbob for the history.
This was supposed to be a dual explore! Tain, and its annexe, Fearn. Unfortunately (not sure that is the correct word!) The enormity of Tain took the whole day! Fearn, subsequently, was bookmarked for another day, but being only about 8 miles by car, a brief recce was in order. When we saw the tower, the failing light was not enough to put us off! (It was gone 4 o'clock by the time we got here!). We were able to drive right up to it, hence saving valuable daylight minutes (and unfit explorers energy!)

It was a cracker, although the soul had really had been ripped out of it. Tain was more intact and as such was more enjoyable- perhaps watching the Tornado's dropping their cluster bombs from such a strategic position sealed the deal.

None the less, Fearn tower was still great!

Here are some of mine. I will try my best not to duplicate!

The approach

The Front

Generator room

Cable/pipes in above

The facilities

Holes

Leaks

Corridor

Warning!

And a couple of apparitions

The windsock still had some fabric attached

Rebar

Parting Shots