Former WWII camp transformed into a vibrant community center | Lifestyle

Former WW2 POW Camp Transformed into Thriving Community Hub

A former WW2 prisoner-of-war camp in Scotland, known as Cultybraggan Camp, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a vibrant community hub. Initially built during WWII to house up to 4,000 prisoners in over 100 huts, the camp gained notoriety for holding fervent Nazi soldiers.

After the war, the camp was briefly empty before being repurposed by the Ministry of Defense as a training camp for personnel. In 2007, the Comrie Development Trust, comprising over 600 volunteers, purchased the land and began converting it into a unique community space.

Today, Cultybraggan Camp is home to a mix of businesses, support groups, and a functional museum. Local entrepreneurs like Sam Walker and Jamie Lang have set up businesses within the camp, taking advantage of the historical setting and supportive community.

Miles Key, a CrossFit instructor, moved to Comrie during lockdown and appreciates the camp’s history and scenic surroundings. Non-profit groups, such as the Woodland Working Group and the community orchard caretakers, also operate from the camp.

Ken Haizer leads the Comrie & District Men’s Shed, which has grown to over 85 members, thanks to a grant from the Perth & Kinross Council. The camp’s museum, managed by Bob Roseweir, attracts visitors with personal connections to the camp, who leave impressed by the community’s utilization of the space.

Cultybraggan Camp has become a symbol of progress and unity for the local community, showcasing how a historic site can be repurposed to benefit residents and visitors alike.