Kirk O'Shotts in North Lanarkshire, about 15 miles east of Glasgow, was once the BBC's main television and radio transmitter serving Central Scotland with VHF 405-line transmissions on channel 3 and as well as three national VHF radio services. It was the first television station to be built in Scotland, entering BBC programme service on 14 March 1952, serving the principle cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh plus surrounding areas. The FM radio programmes entered service on 30th November 1957.
Black Hill, a few miles to the north west, was chosen as the area's main UHF television station and VHF radio services were also moved to Black Hill when it was decided that the Kirk O'Shotts mast could not carry the BBC's upgraded aerials when mixed polarisation was introduced to improve FM reception on portable and car radios.
The mast originally stood at 750ft. However, after the closure of the 405-line service in January 1985, and the transfer of FM radio to Black Hill on 1st September 1988, the Band I and Band II aerials were removed from the top, reducing the mast to the present height of around 600ft (183m).
In recent years the station has re-entered service as it now carries the regions Digital radio services. |
