Written by Unknown on 19 July 2001.
In a square compound with high security fencing (3 strands of barbed wire) 15 yards east of a track running south from the end of Glenmallie Road. There is a new road down the new Water Treatment site but the ROC post and its compound cannot be seen from it and no path to it. Best way to find is with a GPS (and machete!)
OPEN All surface features remain intact with some green paint remaining. The hatch and some of the surrounding concrete are missing, as are the louvres on the adjacent ventilation shaft. The top of the main ventilation shaft is missing and is to be found at the bottom of the ladder. A dome and aerial bracket on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a master post. Internally the post is a mess and fire damaged with 6" of water on the floor. There is a lot of rubbish. The only original items remaining are the folding table and shelf and the fuse box with some wiring.
August 2018: Sealed
Opened in 1960 and closed in 1991.
Written by Martin Briscoe on 19 November 2024.
Report in Oban Times with group photograph.
Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser - Thursday 12 September 1991 Page 4
THE ROYAL Observer Corps are pictured during their final meeting in Fort William Territorial Army Hall.
THE FORT William cluster of the Royal Observer Corps marked the end of an era when they held their final meeting on August 30.
The cluster, made up from groups in Mallaig, Glenfinnan, Tobermory, Invergarry, Laggan and Fort William, met for the last time before the corps are disbanded on September 30.
The Royal Observer Corps, formed 50 years ago to report on aircraft movements and to on the information to the army and police, are being disbanded through defence cuts.
The local volunteers, who have known of the stand-down since announcements in July, include Mr Martin J. Finlayson, of Fort William, who has given 30 years' service to the corps, and Mrs Brown, of Tobermory, who after 35 years is the longest-serving member in the Fort William cluster.
Mr Francis MacLeod, of Fort William, who has given 22 years’ service to the organisation, said: “The meeting was a very sad occasion. I was the group officer and you are not only losing a tremendous group of people, with tremendous knowledge, but a very unique organisation.
“I have got to know a lot of people through the corps and feel quite sad about the whole thing — it is the end of an important era for us,” said Mr MacLeod.
Written by Martin Briscoe on 19 November 2024.
Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser - Saturday 31 July 1948 Page 3
“Forewarned is Forearmed”
“FOREWARNED 18 FOREARMED''.
THE TITLE OF an interesting book recently published, is the story of the Royal Observer Corps back to its foundation early in the 1914-18 war. The Scottish area included Groups 35 (Oban), 39 (Inverness), and 40 (Portree). Special mention is made of the Head Observer at a Fort William post who carried on at his post while his home was shattered by an enemy bomb. This is only one of numerous acts of bravery shown by individual observers.
“Forewarned is Forearmed.” by T E. Winslow: Published by William Hodge & Co. Ltd.: price 12/6.
