Nuclear power and nuclear weapons dominated the Scottish landscape, and people’s minds, during the Cold War. 

In 1959, Chapelcross, in Annan in southwest Scotland, became one of the first civil-military nuclear power stations in the world. Other nuclear power stations soon followed, including Dounreay in the north, Hunterston in the west and Torness on the east coast of Scotland. Scotland became a nuclear nation.  

Nuclear power stations were a source of excitement in the early Cold War period. They symbolised economic recovery, military strength, and a futuristic source of energy. However, they were also a source of concern which mobilised the anti-nuclear movement to protest these developments. 

As Scotland’s Cold War role became increasingly visible, Scottish communities responded in creative ways to show how they felt about nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. 

This film explores the history and impact of nuclear power in Scotland during this period.  

It was produced as part of the Materialising the Cold War research project, a collaboration between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling, funded by the AHRC.