HOLIDAYMAKERS from West Fife have spoken of their shock after they were told unexploded bombs had been found near their accommodation.

The group of pensioners, who did not want to be named, live in Rosyth and Dunfermline and had checked in to the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, on Monday, but on Wednesday were told they would have to collect their things and move rooms due to the discovery of two explosive devices.

One of the women described the moment: "We were coming back from a trip to Skye and the driver got a phone call at about 3pm from the hotel.

"He said he was sorry but he couldn't drop us at the hotel and we were going to have to walk up and round to get there.

"He said he was afraid that two bombs had been found and the police had cordoned it off."

Dunfermline Press: The holidaymakers had been staying at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire when they were told two unexploded bombs had been found nearby.The holidaymakers had been staying at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire when they were told two unexploded bombs had been found nearby. (Image: Google Maps)

Contractors made the discovery while working to install a biomass unit within the hotel's grounds.

General Manager Debbie Scott says the find may be attributed to World War II, when the building was used as a weapons storage site.

"We were all anxious – we were quite frightened in a way – it was funny but it wasn't funny, it was a bit frightening," continued the group member.

"When we got back they told us workmen had found the bombs and we had to go a different way into the hotel and we had to change rooms.

"It was so funny, we had to go back to our rooms, pack all our stuff up and then go and get keys for the rooms we had to go back to so we were well away from where the site was."

The Ben Wyvis Hotel was commandeered during World War I as a hospital for the US Navy, which had bases at Dalmore and Inverness.

Then, in World War II, it was taken over again as a base for soldiers, with the upper floor being used as a military prison.

To the east trenches were dug and, according to residents in the area, military families lived in the hotel until 1954.

Ms Scott said: "It was all action on Wednesday when we had to call in the bomb squad after not one, but two explosive devices were discovered on our grounds.

"We are currently installing a Biomass unit, and yesterday afternoon the contractors were digging up an area and made the surprising discovery.

"Everyone stayed remarkably calm, and the local police were quick to react by closing off the area.

"Thankfully, no one had to be evacuated, and the bomb disposal unit were able to safely and quickly remove both items and take them to a secure place to detonate.

"The site of the Ben Wyvis Hotel has been reported to have been a weapons storage site during World War II, and this may explain the unearthing of the explosives."

Police Scotland confirmed that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended the scene and carried out a controlled explosion away from the hotel.

A spokesperson said: "Around 2.30pm on Wednesday, 10 May, 2023, police were called to Main Street, Strathpeffer, following the discovery of two ordnance items in the grounds of a property.

"The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended and the items were removed, before a controlled explosion took place. The area was cleared around 10.15pm."