George Hogg: Cultybraggan Camp

At our meeting on Thursday 6^th February, Club member George Hogg gave a talk about his recent stay at an ex-WW2 prisoner of war camp situated in Perthshire approx. two miles from the village of Comrie. The camp at Cultybraggan (Camp 21), also referred to as “The Black Camp of the North”, was built in 1941 originally for Italian prisoners of war however, after Italy surrendered, it became a POW camp for Germans. Towards the end of WW2 the camp was filled to its 4,000 prisoner capacity. The Nissen huts housing the prisoners were 30 meters long with 90 prisoners in each hut, with the prisoners sleeping in bunk beds.

After the end of WW2, the camp continued throughout the “Cold War” as a training camp for British soldiers and a nuclear bunker was added.

In 2004, the MOD put the camp up for sale. It was purchased by Comrie village and run by the Comrie Development Trust. Many of the huts are now used by businesses bringing employment to the area. There is a museum and café, open from April onwards for visitors to the camp, and recently five small Nissen huts (sleeping up to 4) have been very tastefully renovated as self-catering accommodation for those wishing to stay at the camp.

George’s most interesting talk was well received by club members.

Last week as well, Ron Smith visited Hawick High School to present certificates and prizes to Abi Rae, Kelsey Anderson, Cassie Duff and Olivia Buchanan, winners and runners-up in the Rotary Young Photographer competition.

Mackenzie Crudge, winner of the local heat of Rotary Young Chef competition, and Isla Gibson runner-up, took part in the Rotary District 1320 (South of Scotland) final at Kilmarnock, and Mackenzie was placed third in the District, which entitles her to compete in the National Final at Stirling.

Hawick Rotary is extremely grateful for the great assistance given in these competitions by High School teachers Miss Alderson and Mrs Hotchkiss (for Young Photographer) and Mrs Ritchie (Young Chef).