Controlled explosion carried out after bombs found in Strathpeffer
The bomb squad were called to the Ben Wyvis Hotel yesterday afternoon.
Last updated 11th May 2023
A controlled explosion has taken place after two bombs were found in a Ross-shire village.
The bomb squad were called to the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer yesterday afternoon.
Explosives were found while contractors were working on a Biomass unit on the hotel's grounds
The hotel's main driveway was cordoned off, but guests were able to enter and leave the hotel through a separate entrance.
Police say the area was cleared at around 10:15pm after the controlled explosion took place.
Ben Wyvis Hotel say, "everyone stayed remarkably calm, and the local police quickly reacted by closing off the area."
A joiner who was on site when the discovery was made says he was "shocked" at the find.
Guests have been allowed to enter and leave the hotel through a separate entrance.
Norman Bremner from Norman Bremner Joiner and Contractor says he was surprised at the find.
The 55-year-old said: "I was shocked, it's not something you find every day.
"We suspected what it was, we've seen this sort of thing in films and thought it looked suspicious."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.30pm on Wednesday, 10 May, 2023, police were called to Main Street, Strathpeffer, following the discovery of two ordnance items in the grounds of a property.
“The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended and the items were removed, before a controlled explosion took place.
"The area was cleared around 10.15pm.”
The Ben Wyvis Hotel have confirmed through a social media post that no one had to be evacuated.
They said: "It was all action yesterday when we had to call in the bomb squad after not one but two explosive devices were discovered on our grounds.
"We are currently installing a Biomass unit, and yesterday afternoon the contractors were digging up an area and made the surprising discovery.
"Everyone stayed remarkably calm, and the local police quickly reacted by closing off the area.
"Thankfully, no one had to be evacuated, and the bomb disposal unit were able to safely and quickly remove both items and take them to a secure place to detonate.
"The site of the Ben Wyvis hotel has been reported to have been a weapons storage site during World War II, and this may explain the unearthing of the explosives."