Radio Caroline Scotland was probably the best known of the early 70’s pirates. It commenced transmissions in 1972 following the closure of the SNP Radio Scotland and included staff from Radio Caroline South. The station was engineered by Gordon Forsyth and used around 200 watts of power, possibly the ex Radio Scotland rig.

The station normally broadcast on 1358 kHz, occasionally moving to 1349kHz if there was continental interference. They were also logged on 1322kHz late at night. RCS was on the air on Sundays from 2200-0200 and 1100-1900.

Like Radio Scotland, RCS announced they were broadcasting from a ship 4 miles off the coast of Scotland. A DXer in Ireland reported he almost believed this as on one occasion the signal was so strong from Caroline Scotland that the East German station on 1358 khz was barely audible between it and RNI on 1367 kHz!

Caroline Scotland also operated briefly on short wave, being noted on 6280 kHz.

Such was its popularity, the station received press coverage with an article including pictures in a local newspaper. Of course with such publicity comes the unwanted attention from the GPO.

Radio Caroline Scotland was raided whilst broadcasting from a house in Blantyre Terrace, Edinburgh on June 22nd 1973. The GPO had monitored the station between June 1st and June 22nd.

In the subsequent court case at the end of July Tom Wilson (Martin Davies) and Gordon Forsyth were each fined £20 and equipment worth £150 was forfeited.

The station did continue and Alan Kidd remembers broadcasting from York Place in the city, with the aerial running from York Place, across the bus station towards the St James’ Centre. That was bang in the centre of Edinburgh!

The station was reported as still active in 1976, but probably that was its final year of transmission.

The recording below features Tom Wilson testing the transmitter from his house in Burdiehouse Avenue, Edinburgh. Unfortunately it does not include a station ID. Thanks to Alan Kidd for the aircheck.