View source for Durris transmitting station

{{Short description|Transmitter in Aberdeenshire, Scotland}}
{{see also|Kirkton of Durris}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox UK Transmitter
|name = Durris
|image = [[File:Durris-mast.jpg|250px]]
|map_name = Scotland Aberdeenshire
|coordinates = {{coord|57|-2.39|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|height = {{convert|322.0|m|ft|0}}
|built = 1966
|demolished = 
|collapsed = 
|BBC = [[BBC Scotland]]
|ITV = [[Grampian Television|STV North]]
}}

The '''Durris transmitting station''' is a [[broadcasting]] and [[telecommunications]] facility, situated close to the town of [[Stonehaven]], within [[Durris Forest]], within the area also known historically as [[Kincardineshire]] ({{gbmapping|NO763899}}). It is owned and operated by [[Arqiva]], and is the tallest structure in Scotland.

==History==
It is also a feature in Durris Primary School's newest logo created in 2000 (the logo shows the mast on the hill with the sun and three trees).

It can be seen from the summit of [[Mither Tap]], near [[Insch]], Aberdeenshire and can also be spotted at night on the road down from the [[Lecht Ski Centre]].

===Construction===
It has a {{convert|306.6|m|ft|0}} high [[Radio masts and towers#Steel lattice|guyed steel lattice mast]], built by [[J. L. Eve Construction]].  It was constructed in 1966. 38-year-old Thomas Sutherland of Blairgowrie died in its construction on Monday 24 October 1966, falling 175&nbsp;ft from 300&nbsp;ft up the mast; the company had a regional office in Edinburgh<ref>''Aberdeen Press and Journal'' Thursday 12 January 1967, page 3</ref>

===Transmissions===
Its [[coverage map|coverage]] includes north east [[Scotland]], from [[St. Andrews]] in the south to [[Fraserburgh]] in the north, including the city of [[Aberdeen]]. It also covers much of the North Sea coast between [[Dunbar]] and [[Berwick-upon-Tweed|Berwick]], although this coverage is not deliberate.

The analogue television transmission [[Antenna (radio)|antennas]] surmounting the structure are contained within a [[Glass-reinforced plastic|GRP]] cylinder, and bring the overall height of the structure to {{convert|322.0|m|ft|0}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ZZZWU7CAXE681| title=Planning Applications &mdash; Ref: APP/2007/0827| publisher=Aberdeenshire Council| access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref> making it the tallest structure in Scotland.

==Services listed by frequency==

===Analogue radio (FM VHF)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Frequency
!kW<ref name="auto">Radio Listeners Guide 2010</ref>
!Service
|-
|89.4 [[MHz]]
|2.1
|[[BBC Radio 2]]
|-
|91.6&nbsp;MHz
|2.1
|[[BBC Radio 3]]
|-
|93.8&nbsp;MHz
|2.1
|[[BBC Radio Scotland]]
|-
|95.9&nbsp;MHz
|2.1
|[[BBC Radio 4]]
|-
|96.9&nbsp;MHz
|10
|[[Northsound 1]]
|-
|99.0&nbsp;MHz
|2.1
|[[BBC Radio 1]]
|-
|100.5&nbsp;MHz
|10
|[[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]]
|-
|106.8&nbsp;MHz
|10
|[[Original 106 (Scotland)|Original 106]]
|}

===Digital radio (DAB)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Frequency
!Block
!kW<ref name="auto"/>
!Operator
|-
|220.35&nbsp;MHz
|11C
|2
|[[Switch Aberdeen]]
|-
|223.93&nbsp;MHz
|12A
|10
|[[Digital One]]
|-
|225.64&nbsp;MHz
|12B
|10
|[[BBC National DAB]]
|}

===Analogue television===
Analogue television was switched off during September 2010; BBC Two Scotland was closed on 1 September and the remaining four on 15 September.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|479.25&nbsp;MHz
|22
|500
|[[BBC One Scotland]]
|-
|503.25&nbsp;MHz
|25
|500
|[[Grampian Television|STV (North)]] (Grampian)
|-
|527.25&nbsp;MHz
|28
|500
|[[BBC Two Scotland]]
|-
|559.25&nbsp;MHz
|32
|500
|[[Channel 4]]
|-
|839.25&nbsp;MHz
|67
|100
|[[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]]
|}

===Digital television===
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}

====30 September 2018 - present====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
|-
|482.0&nbsp;MHz
|22
|50
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|-
|490.0&nbsp;MHz
|23
|100
|[[BBC]] B
|-
|506.0&nbsp;MHz
|25
|50
|[[Arqiva]] A 
|-
|514.0&nbsp;MHz
|26
|100
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|-
|530.0&nbsp;MHz
|28
|50
|Arqiva B
|-
|546.0&nbsp;MHz
|30
|100
|BBC A
|}
<ref>{{cite web| url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Durris| title=Durris| publisher=UK Free-UK| access-date=9 October 2018}}</ref>
{{col-2}}

====15 June 2011 - 30 September 2018====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
|-
|482.0&nbsp;MHz
|22
|100
|[[BBC]] B
|-
|490.0&nbsp;MHz
|23
|50
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|-
|506.0&nbsp;MHz
|25
|100
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|-
|514.0&nbsp;MHz
|26
|50
|[[Arqiva]] A
|-
|530.0&nbsp;MHz
|28
|100
|BBC A
|-
|538.0&nbsp;MHz
|29
|50
|Arqiva B
|-
|562.0&nbsp;MHz
|32
|14.5
|COM7 HD
|-
|586.0&nbsp;MHz
|35
|14.5
|COM8 HD
|}

{{col-end}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

====15 September 2010 - 15 June 2011====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
|-
|482.0&nbsp;MHz
|22
|100
|[[BBC]] B
|-
|506.0&nbsp;MHz
|25
|100
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|-
|530.0&nbsp;MHz
|28
|100
|BBC A
|-
|634.0&nbsp;MHz
|41†
|5
|[[Arqiva]] A
|-
|714.0&nbsp;MHz
|51†
|10
|Arqiva B
|-
|722.0&nbsp;MHz
|52†
|20
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|}

† Temporary channel to avoid interference with Craigkelly transmitter.

{{col-2}}

====Before switchover (until 15 September 2010)====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
|-
|546.0&nbsp;MHz
|30
|20
|[[BBC]] (Mux 1)
|-
|578.0&nbsp;MHz
|34
|20
|[[Digital 3&4]] (Mux 2)
|-
|634.0&nbsp;MHz
|41
|5
|[[Arqiva]] (Mux C)
|-
|658.0&nbsp;MHz
|44
|5
|Arqiva (Mux D)
|-
|713.8&nbsp;MHz
|51-
|10
|BBC (Mux B)
|-
|722.2&nbsp;MHz
|52+
|20
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]] (Mux A)
|}

{{col-end}}

==See also==
*[[List of masts]]
*[[List of radio stations in the United Kingdom]]
*[[List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/durris/index.php Entry for Durris transmitting station at The Transmission Gallery]
* [http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b61325 Skyscraperpage.com]
* [http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Durris/Index.htm Durris Transmitter at thebigtower.com]

{{Television transmitters in the UK}}
{{Durris_VHF_405-line_Transmitter_Group}}
{{Supertall}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Aberdeenshire]]
[[Category:Stonehaven]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1966]]
[[Category:Transmitter sites in Scotland]]


{{UK-bcast-stub}}