Inside abandoned housing estate which looks like scene from apocalyptic film

07 August 2023 , 10:27

1040     0

The creepy abandoned village once housed families of the troops at the army base (Image: Edinburgh Live)

A housing estate which once housed troops and their families now stands abandoned and left to become derelict.

Craigiehall was an army base located near Cramond, Edinburgh, and until 2015 served as the headquarters of the British Army in Scotland. To accommodate the troops and their families, a housing estate was built on Riverside Road and Primrose Drive.

Craigiehall base closed for good in 2019 when Army Headquarters Scotland merged with 51st Infantry Brigade at Forthside Barracks in Stirling. The sound of children playing has long been replaced by an eerie presence, and despite nearby security, almost every single house in the area has been vandalised. Several windows have been smashed and fences destroyed by people who have broken into the site.

Most of the former homes have been vandalised since its closure in 2019 (Edinburgh Live)

Exposed to the Scottish elements, the once white homes are now grey with black and brown patches spreading across the corners. Paint can be seen peeling away and while blinds and curtains are still hanging, a couple of bricks lie under some of the shattered windows.

Originally a 17th century country house, Craigiehall has an impressive history and was requisitioned by the Armed Forces in 1939. After it was bought by the MoD in 1951, it was established as the Headquarters for the Army in Scotland.

Red Arrow pilot forced to send out emergency alert after bird smashes into jet

As well as serving at the HQ for the Black Watch and in the 1950s, it was the site of a Cold War Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Operations Room, reports EdinburghLive.

Back in 2019, there were plans proposed for the site to turn into a 1,200-home village. Plans proposed the buildings would be demolished to make way for 1,200 homes, a hotel that could sleep 100 people, and a park and ride. However, these were withdrawn and the ghost village still stands.

A play park which once delighted children stands empty (Edinburgh Live)

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “These properties are no longer in use by the MOD and we are in discussions with planning authorities about potential future development.

“We are aware there has been vandalism on some of the properties and we are working quickly to put 24/7 guarding on site.”

Last month a once vibrant shopping centre was branded a “ghost town” by Coventry residents mourning the loss of many “decent shops”.

Despite the signs, no children are playing nearby (Edinburgh Live)

The number of empty shop units has skyrocketed in the last five years, with five times the number of in April 2023 than there were in 2022, according to a Coventry City Council survey.

Shop closures including TJ Hughes, Clintons, Next, Topshop and Argos have left residents up in arms about what they view as a “disgrace” - with most of the blame going to the council.

A major £450million redevelopment of the city centre is behind the exodus of high street shops, with many opting to relocate away from - which is set to be demolished - before the City Centre South transformation begins.

Antony Thrower