Scotland's Sizzling Spot: From Wartime Airfield to Racing Legends and Record Heat

Charterhall, located in the Scottish Borders, is a place with a fascinating and varied history. It is well known today for being the site where Scotland’s highest temperature was recorded in 2022, surpassing the previous record set nearly two decades earlier in Greycrook, another Borders location. The weather station at Charterhall, which opened in 1987, has played a key role in monitoring and recording weather patterns in the region. However, the story of Charterhall goes back much further and includes chapters of military, sporting, and scientific importance.

The origins of Charterhall date back to World War One, when it was known as RFC Eccles Tofts. It served as a landing site for No. 77 squadron, supporting reconnaissance and training flights. After the war ended in 1919, the airfield was abandoned, but it was brought back to life during World War Two. In 1941 and 1942, the site was rebuilt as RAF Charterhall, becoming a major training base for the Royal Air Force. The main unit stationed there was No. 54 Operational Training Unit, which trained crews on a variety of aircraft. Training at Charterhall was risky, and the airfield gained a reputation for being dangerous. Many accidents occurred, some of them fatal. One of the most well-known tragedies was the death of fighter pilot Richard Hillary in 1943. He is remembered with a memorial at the site, along with other airmen who lost their lives. Some are buried nearby, serving as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who trained there. The RAF continued to use Charterhall until 1947, after which the station was officially closed.

But Charterhall’s story did not end there. In 1952, the former airfield was transformed into a racing circuit. It quickly became a popular venue for motorsport, attracting famous drivers such as Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, and Stirling Moss. Racing events were held for more than a decade, and rally competitions continued into the 21st century. In the 1980s, the weather station was established, starting with basic equipment like a wind vane and anemometer. Over the years, more instruments were added, including rain gauges, pressure sensors, and devices to measure sunshine and cloud height. The station now provides detailed weather data, supporting climate research and forecasting. Charterhall is still privately owned and sometimes used as a small airstrip. Many of the original wartime buildings and runways can still be seen. While another place may one day break Charterhall’s temperature record, its unique history as a military base, racing circuit, and weather station makes it a remarkable part of Scotland’s story.