Radio Scotland 1965 -1967
Radio Scotland from the l.v. Comet.
Webmasters note: This image was taken from publicity material issued by Radio Scotland, the name "Radio Scotland"
was added to the photograph, the actual ship had no lettering on her side.
Radio Scotland started regular broadcasts from the l.v Comet on New Year's Eve, 1965. The Comet was built as a light vessel by John Browns Shipyard in 1904 and grossed 500 tons. She was fitted out as a radio ship in Guernsey in October 1965 and as she had no engines was towed to her operating position off Fife Ness, 25 miles east of Edinburgh.
Radio Scotland broadcast on 1236.5 kHz (announced as 242 metres) with a pair of RCA 10 kilowatt ampliphase modulated BTA-10J transmitters. These operated through a diplexer to produce 20kW. However this arrangement was not very successful and the station usually operated with just one transmitter. To improve the signal strength into the major population areas centered on Glasgow the ship was towed around the north coast of Scotland in April 1966, and anchored off Troon in Ayrshire.
The station was served with a summons for operating within territorial waters and was fined ₤80 at Ayr Sherriff's Court in March 1967. The station was then moved to a position off Ballywater in Northern Ireland and re-named Radio Scotland and Ireland. However, the signal strength over most of Scotland was poor from this location so the station was again towed to the origional position near Edinburgh in May 1967.
The station finally closed on the evening of 14th August just prior to the introduction of the Marine Offences Bill. The ship was towed to Methill Harbour in Fife and the mast and broadcasting equipment removed. The Comet was offered for sale, but no buyers were found and she was finally broken for scrap in Ouwerkerk, Holland in 1969.
Radio Scotland was founded by Tommy Shields, who was involved in the start up of Scotish Television. He died a few months after the station's closure following an
emergency operation following kidney failure. The final broadcast by Tommy Shields, from Radio Scotland can be heard by clicking on the icon.
