Ardgay, Midfearn, AA Sentry Box (No 504)

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 19 Aug 2023

Once a familiar sight on Britain’s roads, there were over 1000 of these black and yellow AA telephone boxes. First introduced in 1912, they were originally intended as shelters and known as sentry boxes for watchmen who could provide help. Uniformed patrol men at the boxes would salute passing motorists who displayed the AA badge. Later, members were issued with keys and could use the boxes to summon help. This post-1957 standard Automobile Association-design timber call box is located on the A836 at the junction of the B9176 north of Struie Wood. One of only 7 surviving in Scotland, these served several purposes including acting as a shelter for AA officers and as part of the road-users safety network, especially after the installation of telephones. Use of the boxes declined from around the mid 1960s and the network was finally shut down in 2002. According to the AA’s website (http://www.theaa.com/aboutaa/history.html#tabview%3Dtab4 ) there are only 19 of these wooden sentry boxes remaining in roadside locations. Box 504 is designated as a Category B listed building by Historic Environment Scotland (LB49298 https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB49298 HES). https://canmore.org.uk/site/107755/ardgay-mid-fearn-aa-sentry-box-504 (Canmore ID 107755)

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