Burghead Transmitting Station

Burghead

Burghead masts from the east
Burghead Transmitting Station (Moray)
Location	Burghead, Moray
Mast height	153.6 metres (504 ft) (North) 154.2 metres (506 ft) (South)
Coordinates	57.698889°N 3.469722°W / 57.698889; -3.469722
Grid reference	NJ125685
Built	1936

The Burghead transmitting station is a broadcasting facility near Burghead (grid reference NJ125685) in Scotland for long wave and medium wave radio transmission that started service on 12 October 1936.^[1] The site is owned by Arqiva and houses a long wave radio transmitter on 198 kHz broadcasting BBC Radio 4 and two medium wave radio transmitters, broadcasting BBC Radio 5 Live on 693 kHz and BBC Radio Scotland on 810 kHz. The long wave transmitter is part of a network transmitting on the same frequency, the other transmitters being Droitwich and Westerglen.

The station has three masts, which are all lattice structures with triangular cross section and insulated against ground. The northern of the two large masts is 153.6 metres (504 ft), the southern large mast is 154.2 metres (506 ft) tall, while the third one is significantly lower.^[2] One of the large masts is used for the medium wave transmissions and the other is used for the long wave transmitter. The third and smallest mast is the backup antenna.

The original building was demolished leaving a much smaller building for the more modern transmitters.

Services available

Analogue radio (AM long wave)

Frequency	kW[3]	Service
198 kHz	50	BBC Radio 4

Analogue radio (AM medium wave)

Frequency	kW[4]	Service
693 kHz	50	BBC Radio 5 Live
810 kHz	100	BBC Radio Scotland

See also

• Arqiva, who own the site
• List of masts
• List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain
• List of radio stations in the United Kingdom

References

1. Inverness Courier 13 October 1936
2. Entry for "LFA 14"
3. Radio Listeners Guide 2010
4. Radio Listeners Guide 2010

External links

• The Transmission Gallery – Photographs & Information