Changing fortunes of former naval base

DURING the height of the Cold War in 1961, the US Navy arrived in Dunoon and transformed the small destination ‘doon the watter’ in Argyll into a cosmopolitan hub.

As they set up base in the Holy Loch, it was the beginning of a relationship that dramatically boosted the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs and changing the fabric of the community – in the first two years alone, 130 sailors married Scottish girls.

It was estimated that the 2,000 Americans contributed £1million a month to the economy, with 200 civilians employed at the base and a further 600 jobs in support services.

Companies such as the Cowal cottage bakery relied on the base for 25 per cent of their business, changing the fortunes of the community which in a bygone era had relied significantly on day-trippers.

So by 1992, when the Navy left the area, the departure wreaked emotional and financial devastation and despite a £12million consolation government grant, nobody believed it would survive the blow. But community leaders worked hard to regenerate, with the emphasis on diversifying the economy and encouraging an adaptable workforce.

Ten years on, commentators noted that Dunoon had ‘largely shrugged off the closure of the base’, pointing to an enhanced tourism infrastructure, including a new marina where submarines used to berth, along with the development of a telecoms service centre.

Figures for 2012 showed that despite Scotland’s high streets generally facing a struggle to survive, Dunoon had the fewest shops lying empty, with only 2.5 per cent doing so.

The US Navy called the Holy Loch nuclear submarine base Site One. It was vital during the Cold War but it was closed when the Trident missile system replaced Polaris and the Soviet Union collapsed.

A focus on tourism and the arts continues – the town is host to the Cowal Highland Gathering each August, which bills itself as the ‘world’s largest Highland Games’.

The Waverley paddle steamer stops at the town as part of its timetable and Dunoon also has annual film and book festivals.