Cold War Scotland

Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This book accompanies an exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland (13 July-26 January 24) which explores Scotland’s critical position on the front line. Scots played active roles as soldiers, within intelligence services and as part of voluntary civil defences.

Also drawn on is Scotland’s rich history of Cold War-era protest. The physical legacy of the Cold War is revealed too – the ruined bases, forgotten bunkers and decommissioned nuclear power stations still evident across the Scottish landscape.