Doors Open Day at Barnton Bunker was very special this year…
In September, we opened the doors of Barnton Bunker for Doors Open Days 2026. Visitors explored our ground level WWII RAF Fighter Command Operations Room, heard how the restoration is going, and met the people connected to the site.
It was a weekend of history and community
Walk throughs ran every 30 minutes across both days. People explored the upper part of the bunker which was once the WWII RAF Fighter Command Operations Complex.
Alongside them there were short film screenings, our community garden showcased, meeting our emus Kevin and Joyce.
People enjoyed the view across the Firth of Forth up on the hill. And saw our sword in the stone, enjoyed colouring for children, met our goats and of course, had plenty of tea!
A lot of the restoration so far has been carried out by volunteers, so it was lovely to hear what people from the area thought of it all.
Visitors really enjoyed the event, and said it was: “interesting and inspiring”. The group in the picture particularly enjoyed hearing from Alan Treloar, who served here 70 years ago. More about that in the next part.
Alan sees the Tote board for the first time in 70 years
On the Saturday, Alan Treloar joined us. Alan worked at Barnton Bunker as a 19 year old National Serviceman in 1955-56, and his memories have shaped our restoration. When we set out to recreate a replica of the 1950s Tote board, he helped us understand what it looked like and how it worked.
Alan met visitors during the day, then went on a special tour. It was the first time he had seen the finished replica of the board he helped bring back to life, back on the wall where it belongs. He said: “It’s fantastic”.
There's something special about watching someone recognise a piece of their own history, 70 years later.
Want to hear more of Alan's story?
Watch it: https://youtu.be/hdD7B3Mvk0w
Read about it: https://www.barntonbunker.com/barnton-bunker-blog/70-years-later-ex-serviceman-returns-to-barnton-bunker
Why we're rebuilding it
Fires in the 1990s destroyed much of what was inside the bunker, so every piece we bring back depends on the memories of people like Alan, and on the volunteers who do the work.
Thank you to everyone who visited, to Alan for sharing his memories, and to the volunteers who made the weekend happen.
Visit the Bunker
Doors Open Days covered the above ground Operations Room. To explore the underground bunker, book a tour: https://www.barntonbunker.com/book-your-tour
If you or someone you know served at the bunker, we'd love to hear from you at info@barntonbunker.com.
