Seventy years after serving at Barnton Bunker, RAF veteran Alan Treloar returns to the hidden Cold War control centre beneath Edinburgh. In this firsthand account, he recalls life underground, the pressure of monitoring Scotland’s skies, and the unforgettable moment he found himself alone in charge of the Caledonian sector at just 19 years old.

Barnton Bunker recently welcomed historian Ian Brown for the launch of his new book, Air Defence In Scotland 1938–46, in the very WWII operations room connected to the story it tells. With around 40 guests in attendance, the evening brought Scotland’s wartime air defence history vividly back to life in a setting that could not have been more fitting, reflecting Barnton Bunker’s growing role as a place where history is not only preserved, but actively shared and experienced.

Barnton Bunker recently partnered with Royal British Veterans Enterprise to host their first-ever Chairman’s Sleep Out in Scotland, welcoming business leaders who gave up a night of warmth and comfort to sleep outside in cardboard boxes and raise vital funds and awareness for veterans facing homelessness. Set against the powerful backdrop of a former Cold War bunker, the event highlighted both the reality many veterans still face and Barnton Bunker’s wider role as more than a heritage site, a place that can actively support meaningful community and charity work.

Barnton Bunker in Edinburgh recently hosted a real search and rescue dog training exercise. Discover how the tunnels, stairwells and hidden rooms of this Cold War bunker create the perfect environment for specialist K9 training.

From Doors Open Days and the Garden Opening to our Winding Walk, Halloween Haunted House, Remembrance Weekend, and the Magic Labyrinth, autumn at Barnton Bunker has been full-on. Here’s a full recap of what we’ve hosted, why it matters, and what’s coming next.

After three months back in Edinburgh, volunteer Jean Paul shares a thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt reflection on returning to Barnton Bunker. From the fear of revisiting old memories to finding a new story among new people, this is a piece about community, creativity, and why some places keep calling you back.

Meet Cornelia, a former architecture student from Shropshire with a knack for painting, a love of animals, and a serious talent for baking.

Matteo, a 22-year-old economics graduate from Teramo, Italy, arrived at Barnton Bunker with two goals: to improve his English and to challenge himself with a once-in-a-lifetime experience outside his comfort zone.

Last week was a significant one for the Barnton R4 Nuclear Bunker as we had the pleasure of hosting our local MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton, for a comprehensive tour of the site.

It is with this spirit that we extend our deepest gratitude to Sweet Homes, a local Joinery Service based in Edinburgh. Understanding the vital importance of our ongoing project at Barnton Bunker, they generously provided us with some much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE), including essential items like safety goggles, earmuffs, and knee protectors. This donation couldn't have come at a better time, ensuring our team's safety during demanding restoration tasks.

Natalie, a Hertfordshire native with a Master’s in Gender and International Development, found Barnton Bunker through Workaway and has become its organisational powerhouse. From eco-construction in Mexico to wildlife monitoring in Scotland, she brings hands-on skills and partnership-building savvy, recruiting local volunteer groups and driving community outreach. Calm, clipboard-ready, and endlessly resourceful, Natalie keeps the Bunker running smoothly and its people inspired.

Rob and a handful of Barnton Bunker volunteers jumped head-first into the Edinburgh 48 Hour Film Project - writing, shooting, and editing a short in just two days. From script drafts in the mess hall to dawn takes in the tunnels, the whirlwind weekend pushed skills, tempers, and creativity to new heights. Here’s what the team learned (and why they can’t wait to do it again).

“If you only had one day, what would you do with it?” 

That’s the question artist Katarina Prior wants you to consider as you walk into Mayflies: Swarm - her largest installation yet, featuring 10,000 hand-cut mayflies and a collective call to cherish your time.