Report - Inchindown Fuel Depot. HMS Invergordon

[bryag]

I went for a bit of a ramble today (Alone), trying to find somewhere to explore. Zimbob had mentioned this place but I had no idea where it was. Did a search on Multimap and found the general location. Asked a young lad on a farm I had to drive through en-route and he pretty much directed me right to it. After an hour driving about I came upon this site. It was still about 1/4 mile walk from the road (and I use the term "road" rather loosely here) but well worth the time spent finding it!

Apparently it was built during the 1930s as a bomb proof fuel depot to service HMS Invergordon (one of the two most famous ports of the first and second word war, the other being Scappa Flow In the Orkneys). It seems in pretty good nick, although I do not think it is currently live, it is certainly looked after.

I have found very little documentary evidence of this sites existence, so this may well be the most complete record of this sites modern history.

Firstly views from the location, just as an indication of the remoteness of this site.

Note the oil rig in Invergordon Harbour

Aha, I was on the right trail

Here it is

I stopped nearly two years ago!

Padlock looked brand new, and hasps look pretty much tamper-proof (without lugging up some serious cutting equipment)

That sign again?

A small opening, perhaps to tease????

So I poked my camera through. Looks absolutely mint!

Tar bucket lying outside

Some sort of water tank?

View from adjacent structure

Another building close by

Rather disappointing as it happens!

Aha, This looks more interesting

Camouflage paint still in evidence

All locked up, unfortunately

But Broken windows afforded me this view

And this- See that hatch....Hmmm....Hatch (maybe next time)

Old gate

I intend to find out who the owner of this is, as it looks like a top explore. I rattled the gate and the echo went on for about a minute, so this installation is vast. Watch this space

 

[bryag]

Thanks Billand, Unfortunately Aultbea is still a live site and Nuclear subs still use the POL there (Image below)

Also, there is a military base above the POL and I believe that is still live also. I wish I had a dog

BTW how did you know my recce today was to Poolewe? I got a few (poor) pics of Cove point battery, but the weather was really extreme, and I feared I would get blown into the loch. The horizontal hailstones were the clincher and I beat a hasty retreat for the car. Another visit in the very near future (earlier and hopefully less windy will provide a good report)

Thanks to Ali147 for the info, will do a report on this soon!