America's Cold War Scottish Bastion (345)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 10 May 2024

⏱️ 78 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

David McKay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. His book highlights the Scottish bases' significant role in supporting the US military over three decades. David brings his expertise into play, examining this intriguing story by reaching out to more than one hundred veterans and expert witnesses. Their contributions reveal the personal stories of history, not high-end diplomacy. We also delve into the espionage efforts mounted by the KGB against these bases through trawlers and agents on the ground. Among the many stories that David details are the nuclear missile submarine operations from Holy Loch, the large radio spy stations and reveals for the first time one of America’s most bizarre intelligence gathering activities of the early Cold War. Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode345/ Buy the book and support us here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781849955546 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 00:00 Introducing Cold War Conversations and David Mackay 01:54 David Mackay: From Paratrooper to Cold War Historian 05:30 The Strategic Importance of Scottish Bases in the Cold War 08:32 Project Genetrix: Balloons, Espionage, and Cold War Ingenuity 16:49 The U.S. Submarine Base in Scotland: Strategic Decisions and Local Impact 26:55 Espionage and Security: Spies, Spetsnaz, and Surveillance 33:20 The Soviet Presence in Scotland: Trawlers, Spies, and Local Encounters 41:25 Close Encounters of the Naval Kind 42:09 The Cat and Mouse of Cold War Submarines 42:53 Espionage and a High Seas Emergency 44:13 Gathering Intel 46:21 Signals Intelligence and the Scottish Connection 56:14 The Strategic Importance of Machrihanish 01:04:56 Prestwick Airport: A Cold War Crossroads 01:08:29 Reflecting on the Cuban Missile Crisis 01:11:37 Personal Anecdotes and Cold War Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.8	Timothy Shalame is Bob Dylan and a complete unknown.
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0:24.9	Now nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor, Edward Norton.
0:30.5	A complete unknown.
0:31.7	Ladies and gentlemen, Bob Bill!
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0:48.4	Search for Adobe Express to find out more.
0:51.5	In the midst of the Cuban missile crisis, the Russians, they were flying aircraft full of Russian troops to Cuba, and they were all in Presswick.
1:01.6	When the Americans were flying aircraft in full of American submariners going to the Holy Lock, to get in their boat, to chug off and, you know, menace the Russians, etc.
1:16.2	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
1:26.2	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our
1:29.7	emailing list at Cold War Conversations.com. David McKay is a former Cold War Special Forces
1:37.8	Officer and is the author of Bubbleheads, Seals and Wizards, America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War.
1:46.1	His book shines a bright light on the significant role the Scottish bases played in supporting
	...

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