Military "CRLS" sign on the A83

[Minus1]

Does anyone know for certain what the military acronym "CRLS" stands for?

There is a red (military) sign on the A83 between Ardrishaig and Tarbert, beside Loch Fyne. It points to a forest track that ascents to the summit of Meall Mór (480m ASL)

The only such acronym I have been able to find on Google is "Coastguard Radio Liaison Station" — though this is only an acronym definition, not any kind of explanation, nor even country of usage.

There are three large radio towers atop Meall Mór.

One is obviously commercial, with multiple microwave dishes, PMR loops, yagis, cellphone antennas, etc.

One has an "MoD" contact details sign on it, and has two large covered microwave dishes, both beaming roughly South East (so conceivably towards Prestwick) , with a handful of loops that look from their size like they might be UHF Military band (230–400 MHz).

The other mast is unlabeled but might be for the coastguard service (e.g. :23), which is definitely transmitted from the site.

[thelad]

Is it a permanent sign ?

[thelad]

Does anyone know for certain what the military acronym "CRLS" stands for?

There is a red (military) sign on the A83 between Ardrishaig and Tarbert, beside Loch Fyne. It points to a forest track that ascents to the summit of Meall Mór (480m ASL)

The only such acronym I have been able to find on Google is "Coastguard Radio Liaison Station" — though this is only an acronym definition, not any kind of explanation, nor even country of usage.

There are three large radio towers atop Meall Mór.

One is obviously commercial, with multiple microwave dishes, PMR loops, yagis, cellphone antennas, etc.

One has an "MoD" contact details sign on it, and has two large covered microwave dishes, both beaming roughly South East (so conceivably towards Prestwick) , with a handful of loops that look from their size like they might be UHF Military band (230–400 MHz).

The other mast is unlabeled but might be for the coastguard service (e.g. :23), which is definitely transmitted from the site.

this any help http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/forum/m-1291135064/

[Minus1]

Is it a permanent sign ?

Yes, and quite new (It's not on Google Streetview yet). There are additional similar signs along the forest track.

[Minus1]

this any help http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/forum/m-1291135064/

Interesting that they say the southern-most mast is ex-police/fire. Certainly the doors to the building don't look to have had a lick of paint for years. Another case of unused antennae being left in situ?

[thelad]

Why not sell it off? Must be of some value. Maybe the new MOD sign means they have new plans.

[kr0ne]

OT but just across the water (there is a ferry from Tabert) at Portavadie is a ghost town known as Polphail that is well worth checking out if you are up that way again.

The story goes that the huge dry dock and town were built for a concrete oil rig fabrication business that went bust, although there are also local rumours that it was actually intended to be a secret cold war era submarine base that was cut before ever coming into service.

Whatever the truth, there is an entire town there that has never been inhabited and is pretty damn creepy to explorer if I'm honest.

Like I said, worth a visit if you are round that way and haven't been before. There is a story in the papers every year or two about it being sold to a new developer, although nothing ever seems to happen as a result.

http://www.uapscotland.com/polphail-ghost-village/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPRtewxULdo

http://goo.gl/maps/Qpx87 (Polphail is in the lower right corner, the dry dock is now used as a marina and fish farm and there are some new houses scattered around the area, the closest actually looking onto the Polphail site)

[BK]

The signs on the track were there in August 2012
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3099791

I'm sure I've seen the acronym before, but can't find an authoritative source for its definition just now.

[G0EHU]

Coastguard Radio Liaison Station ??????

[Nagasaki]

Southern most one is deffo ex police/fire,it was the vhf broadcast and microwave link site. It should be decommissioned by now,all the racked gear ' should' be removed,its definitely not in use anymore. It linked the islands to the next mast just outside Invarary. Its been a couple of years since I was at either of them.

Good view from the top though.