David Booth

@caleydave.bsky.social

205 Followers 319 Following

Hobby Scottish Cold War Researcher. Occasional Volunteer. Old Police Box botherer. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland. All views are my own.

Map showing the location of "Pour Boy" in the Police Box on Orwell Terrace at the Telfor Subway.
Map Showing the Royal observer Corps Groups in Scotland (6), Northern Ireland (1) and Northern England (2 on this page). In Numerical Order these are: <List continued from other Map Image> 22 Carlisle 23 Durham 24 Edinburgh 25 Ayr 26 Is not Shown. This was Glasgow but was closed. 27 Oban 28 Dundee 29 Aberdeen 30 inverness 31 Belfast Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth
Edinburgh Police Box at The Mound. It is painted Yellow and has had the front replaced with double doors, seen here closed. It is currently, as the advertisements suggest, used as a mini snack shop.
A map centred on Leith (Edinburgh) Scotland. remaining Edinburgh police Boxes Currently in Situ as of 2026 along with Circles showing proposed location for Police Boxes in 1933. There are 5 different icons in the part of the map; 1. "Standard" Police Box 2. Siren fitted Police Box 3. Police Box with call lamp 4. Police Box with call lamp and Siren 5. Circles showing proposed locations in 1933. (Colour coded by Council Drainage record book.) Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps
A map centred on Leith (Edinburgh) Scotland. remaining Edinburgh police Boxes Currently in Situ as of 2026. There are 4 different icons in the part of the map; 1. "Standard" Police Box - Pier Place, Mill Lane, The Shore, Broughton Road, Smith's Place, Drummond Place, Regent Road, West Register Street, Canongate School, Northfield Broadway. 2. Siren fitted Police Box, today only a mount (with or without base) is present - Newhaven Road, Prince Regent Street, Henderson Gardens, Links Gardens, Lochend Park, Brandon Terrace, Jocks Lodge, London Road, Mound, Heriot Row. 3. Police Box with call lamp - Easter Road. 4. Police Box with call lamp and Siren - Leith Walk.
An analogue clock showing time of 1AM and a Radio tuned to BBC 4 Long Wave 198kHz.
Extract from the BBC 1975 "War Book": Droitwich Long-wave Transmitter. 17. The need for civil defence regional broadcasting has reduced the value of the Droitwich Long-wave transmitter, as this cannot be regionalised. It is obviously important that nothing should be radiated which would divert the attention of the public from listening to their own regional transmissions on their own wavelength. The Long-wave transmitter will, therefore, close down when the WTBS starts, but will remain available for subsequent use if required. During the preceding hour, however, it will broadcast a special programme describing the WTBS, and informing listeners in the different Civil Defence Regions of the frequencies on which these regional broadcasts may be received.
Westerglen Long Wave Transmitter from Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/kww422wKLWucRyCKA The Pin is on the Protected 1989 Build protected accommodation.
Red: Edinburgh Police Box on Bruntsfield Place, Bruntsfield.
20 Group Royal Observer Corps Group headquarters at York, this is open as a museum and operated by English Heritage.
Map Centred on Solway Firth Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points which had Warning areas in Scotland controlled by 22 Carlisle Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points with Scottish Warning areas shown on the map are: 214 Carlisle 246 Dumfries Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
A view of the Data centre at the Royal Observer Corps Group bunker at Craigiebarns.
Map Centred on Northern Mainland Scotland and the Western Isles Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 30 Inverness Group Royal Observer Corps. The full Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 268 Grantown-on-Spey 273 Inverness The Other Carrier control points marked with a Red asterisk could not receive National warning owing to the local telephone infrastructure not being upgraded. These are: 274 Kyle 277 Stornoway 280 Thurso 281 Wick 282 Tain Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Photograph of "Cats Against The Bomb" badge on the "break time" slide.
Slide reads: "What is a Cold War Collection? Collections, connections and context"
Wind turbine bases seen through the fence at Leith Docks.
Map Centred on North Eastern Scotland Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 29 Aberdeen Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 266 Aberdeen 267 Aboyne 269 Elgin 270 Huntly 272 Peterhead Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Map Centred on South Eastern Scotland Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 24 Edinburgh Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 254 Edinburgh 255 Coldstream (Later Kelso) 256 Galashiels 257 North Berwick 258 Bathgate (Later Livingstone) Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Close up of a small mouse.
A picture of Murrayfield stadium taken from the top side access stairs at the tram stop. There is a small mouse in the picture.
Map Centred on Central Scotland Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 28 Dundee Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 230 Kirkintilloch 231 Milngavie 259 Dunfermline 260 Perth 263 Dundee 264 Montrose 265 Kirkcaldy 300 Stirling Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Part 1 On exiting Queen Street station I went North up North Hanover Street before turning East along Cathedral Street. Turn south at the end of the road/Cathedral down Castle Street. The First Box can be found at Cathedral Square. Contine south down High Street until you get to Gallowgate and then continue along past Barrowland Park until you get to Moir Stree. By this point you will have spotted the second Box across the Park. Loop back the way you came by following London Road, continuing on to Trongate. Head north up Glassford Street and you will find Box 3 at the junction with Wilson Street. Continue north until the end of the road and then turn west along Ingram street. Cross Queen Street and walk around Royal Exchange Square until you find Royal bank Pl. The forth Box is at the end of the road where it meets Buchannan Street. From here make your way to the Subway station of your choosing. Buchanan Street is closer, I walked past St Enochs and across the South Portland St Suspension Bridge to Bridge St as I was walking and eating my lunch. From here get the Subway to Hillhead.
Front view of the Glasgow Police Box on Sauchiehall Street at the junction of West Nile Street. It is painted in its original Red colour.
Rear view of the Glasgow Police Box on Sauchiehall Street near the junction with (West) Campbell Street. It was freshly painted Blue.
Glasgow Police Box on the Corner of Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Drive at the entrance to the Botanics. It is painted Blue and has a sign above advertising it as the Brioche Box.
Rear view of the Glasgow Police Box on the corner of Buchanan Street and Royal Bank Place. It is painted Blue. The two sides seen here have an advertisement covering the whole side.
Front view of the Glasgow Police Box on Wilson Street at the junction with Glassford Street. Painted blue it features it's original signs in addition to the Glasgow Cheese box branding which includes a cone on the roof.
Glasgow Police Box on London Road at Barrowland Park. It is painted blue and appears to have all original signage.
Glasgow police box on the corner of castle street and cathedral square. It is painted blue but is missing the side police signs. It was open as a café.
Box 8 Marshall Street.
This Edinburgh Police Box is set up to be used as a shop but doesn't appear to have a current//obvious use. It is located on the south west corner of George Square Gardens. It is painted with a mural with grass green lower half and sky blue upper half. There are various flowers and, in a more graffiti style, animal characters painted on the side.
Map Centred on Oban, Scotland Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 27 Oban Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 232 Johnstone 234 Fort William 240 Lochgilphead 255 Oban Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
View across the east end of Edinburgh Waverley station taken from the top of Jacob's Ladder.
An Edinburgh Police Box on Market Street. It is painted Light green with red floral decorations attached. It is surrounded by Cherry Blossom Trees.
Here we see the western most flag pole at Scottish Government Office, St Andrews House, Edinburgh. The Saltire is at Half Mast for International Workers Memorial Day.
Map Centred on South West Scotland Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points controlled by 25 Ayr Group Royal Observer Corps. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 232 Johnstone 233 East Kilbride 241 Campbeltown 242 Brodick 243 Ayr 244 Stranraer 247 Lanark 248 Motherwell 249 Kilmarnock 253 Greenock Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Map Centred on Glasgow Showing the proposed locations of the 1960's Carrier Control Points. The Carrier Control Points shown on the map are: 230 Kirkintilloch 231 Milngavie 232 Johnstone 233 East Kilbride Which were split from the old Glasgow 230 Warning Area. Along with standalone neighbouring Carrier Control Points at: 248 Motherwell 253 Greenock Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth based of documents held in the National Records of Scotland
Map of Central Scotland Showing the remaining Police Boxes identified by the Author: There are 3 Groups with appropriate Icons: Edinburgh, Glasgow & Dundee Background Map Data: OpenStreetMaps Icons and Placement: David Booth
A cold war era Siren on top of a now closed Lloyds Bank at the Corner on Manor Street and Beck Hill Road, Bridlington, England. The Siren, which has one face pointing out into the road and the other into the roof, is Complete with Heater Plates.
Facebook caption: "St James Square, 1950s. Demolished in 1960s to make way for the St James Centre. EEN" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17J1ekZ7vT/ The Edinburgh police box complete with Siren can be seen near the centre of the picture where the street meets the square.
The Front of the Edinburgh Police Box at Links Gardens. It is painted primarily white with green highlights and roof. There is a plate for attaching a Siren on its roof. It is currently a coffee stall trading as "The wee Coffee Box". Behind the Box the Leith Links Air Raid Reporting (ARP), later Civil Defence, Report Centre can be seen. This was 1 of 5 built in 1941, of which 3 remain. It is now used by Leith Athletic Football Club.
Edinburgh Police Box on Marchmont Crescent at the junction of Warrender Park Road. The box is well presented but has a bit of a lean forward. Painted black with gold highlights and a blue roof complete with Siren mount. It has a (retracted) cover and fold down table attached to its front. It is currently operated as "Katero Food Bar" however they are due to move to "the Pitt" in Granton and as a result is advertised as "To Let or For Sale"
Air Raid Precautions (ARP), later Civil Defence Report centre at warriston playing fields. Photograph taken from Eldon Street.
Lauriston Place police box in Edinburgh. Painted brown and green with highlights, it has been converted into a cafe and features planters on its roof.
A yellow painted Police Box at Hope Park Crescent, Edinburgh
Black painted Edinburgh Police Box, with a canopy, at Marshall Street surrounded by rubbish.
An artistic looking Edinburgh Police Box on the Corner of Drummond Street and Pleasance at the Flodden (Old City) Wall.
A yellow and black Edinburgh Police Box on the Corner of Cowgate and Pleasance.
Police Box, "Waverley Café", on Market Street, Edinburgh
Police Box on West Register Street, Edinburgh. View of the rear of the box through the fence.
Plotted locations of Edinburgh Police Boxes based on the Drainage record Books from the Edinburgh Corporation. This is not complete and representative only of a snapshot from around 1932. There is at least 1 box at Roseburn which has two entries due to relocation. DG44 160-170, DG45 120-131, DG46 131-138, DG48 54-71, DG49 160-167
Various aerial photographs, from different years, originally from the NCAP website. Pictured are the the various ARP buildings (listed inconsistently as Decontamination or Rescue) built around the same time and to similar designs.
Located at Cameron Toll or Nether Liberton just off Gilmerton Road.
Located at the western Gates of Inverleith Park at East Fettes Avenue/Carrington Road Junction. This is the view of the building from the path leading to the gate. The tender was published in the Edinburgh Evening News on 10/02/1940 for 3 additional Rescue and Repair Depot Buildings. On the 24/02/1940 that Tender had been accepted and They were estimated to cost between £2000-3000 and take 10-12 weeks to build.
Secomak Hand Siren complete with "Scottish Home Department Property" sticker
Corstorphine Library Remember, we have this great talk happening at the library today at 6.30! come along THE BOMBING OF EDINBURGH & LEITH 1939-1942. Join retired police officer and author, Tom Wood, for a detailed and fascinating lecture about the Axis bombing campaign's effect on Edinburgh & Leith Corstorphine Library Monday 9th February 6:30-7:30pm Free to attend, no need to book Refreshments provided In association with the Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Police Historical Society
Photograph of the Interior of the Gorgie White Park Police Box. Inside are a collection of antiquated computer equipment and Scottish Environment Minister Lord Sewel, holding a laptop, who was there to open the box. Caption reads: "TOP QUALITY: Scottish Environment Minister Lord Sewel opens an air quality monitoring station in an old police box in Georgie today. Article is titled: "New push to clean up deadly air"
The Edinburgh Police box at White Park Gorgie Road, Edinburgh. Seen here from Gorgie Road it is painted Grey with a lamp and Siren mount both Insitu on the Roof. It is now used as a pollution monitoring station.
This picture was uploaded to the Barnton Quarry Restoration Project (Now Defunct) Facebook page on 31/01/2016. https://www.facebook.com/share/1GRqghrbJ2/ This has been taken looking up towards the Top floor from the floor of the Operations Well in the Underground Cold War ROTOR R4. I am standing on the left hand side. Sporting a Hardhat with attached lamp, Sundstörm Respirator, Gloves, work trousers and sporting a Barnton Restoration Project Polo shirt (Now a possible collectors item?). I appear to be coiling up an industrial extension cord. To the right a second former volunteer (Craig) is attending to the stud work of one of the Cabin dividing partitions.
Site of demolished pub "the willow" and an Edinburgh Police Box