Scotland’s most ‘radioactive town’ is short drive from Edinburgh and tourists flock

It’s officially summer holiday time here in Scotland, and despite the slightly disappointing weather, its still comfortably warm. With day trips to the North of the border offering an affordable way to keep the little ones entertained, or allow tourists a glimpse into a lesser-known part of Scotland.

Situated just nine miles from Edinburgh, Dalgety Bay in Fife could be reached in minutes when driving from the capital, but for those not keen on the idea of drafting behind the wheel there are regular train services too. Despite its idyllic coastal charm, it has a rather offbeat claim to fame, being acknowledged as the UK’s most “radioactive” town.

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Having multiple times clinched the title of one of the Best Kept Small Towns, locals here are blessed with enchanting coastlines and ample greenery. This somewhat new-ish settlement emerged during the 1960s and has the distinction of being the first private enterprise new town.

Expect to see a bunch of historically significant structures while there, such as the characteristic old parish church, St Bridget’s, and a slew of impressive towers and mansions. Among them, the romantic ancient Fordell castle and Donibristie, the erstwhile residence of the Earls of Moray and the subject of a charming old ballad, catch the eye.

In a gruesome encounter that unfolded in 1592, George Gordon, the Earl of Huntly, murdered his rival James Stewart, the 2nd Earl of Moray, by the seaside. This violent incident found mention in the popular ditty The Bonnie Earl O’ Moray, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

Previously, it served as a base for the Royal Air Force and was home to a major aircraft repair depot.

Much of the industrial estate in the northern part of the town is constructed on the former runway of an airfield, with remnants of it still visible. The local tennis courts are situated on the concrete base of a hangar that was once used for aircraft repairs.

The town’s historical connection to aviation led to a radioactive hotspot in Fife, which took over three decades to rectify. The coastline at Dalgety Bay was contaminated with radium from discarded World War Two aircraft, leading to a ban on public access from 2011 to 2023.

It’s believed that the radioactive particles originated from radium-coated components in World War Two aircraft that were incinerated and dumped in the bay. Thousands of these particles have been discovered since 1990, although they pose only a low risk to public health.

Prof Paul Dale, who manages Sepa’s radioactive substances team, commented: “The completion of this work is significant for Dalgety Bay and for Scotland’s environment. Sepa have been clear in our requirements that remediation would be done once, and it would be done right – providing a permanent and positive resolution for the communities who lived with the environmental legacy of Second World War radium contamination for several decades. “.

Dalgety Bay serves as a commuter town, with many residents working in Edinburgh and commuting daily. House prices in the town are relatively average compared to those in the capital.