Forestry worker Robert Taylor set off that morning into Dechmont Woods near Livingston pretty much like he had every other morning. He drove his truck into the woods with his faithful pet dog beside him for company. He had set off that morning just after 10 a.m. knowing that he'd have to park his truck and make the last part of his journey on foot. At around 10.15 a.m. he parked the truck by the side of the road and, accompanied by his dog, set off through the woodland along a track that was impassable to any vehicle. Robert Taylor had worked for the forestry department for 16 years and the 61 year-old knew every inch of Dechmont woods.

Robert was making his way into a small clearing in the wood but as he rounded the bend he was totally unprepared for what was about to confront him. In the clearing stood a domed-shaped object some 30 feet high. It was grey in colour, perfectly silent and it stopped Robert dead in his tracks. Robert described a type of 'flange' around the bottom of this object with antennae-like protrusions with small rotors on top. Transfixed by this incredible sight Robert also noticed several 'porthole' type apertures in the top section of the dome.

It was while looking these portholes that the 'sea mines' appeared. That was how Robert described them. Two spherical objects with spiky protrusions suddenly came rolling over the ground towards him. They had six or more of these spikes and looked about 3 feet in diameter. These strange objects made a sucking or popping sound as each of the spikes touched the ground. Within seconds Roberts had one of these objects at either side of him. He felt a strong tug on his trousers and these spheres seemed to by trying to pull him towards the main object. Robert tried to resist and there was a pungent smell in air. It was no surprise that Robert lost consciousness. He vaguely remembered a 'whooshing' sound and his dog was barking like mad.

Staggering back to his feet the object had now gone. Robert somehow managed to stagger home and report to his wife that he had been attacked. Quite naturally his wife Mary telephoned the local police. In the days, weeks and months that went by the police did a full investigation of the incident. Marks on the ground were found at the location and eventually the official report by the Livingston Criminal Investigation Department concluded:

Despite extensive inquiries made, no information was been gained which could indicate what, in fact, made the marks on the ground at the location. Mr. Taylor is a respected member of the community and is described as a conscientious and trustworthy person, not likely to invent a story.

In short, the police investigation believed what Mr. Taylor had to say but could not find and thing to explain the incident away. This is one of the few UFO sightings in the UK to be officially investigated. The site of the encounter is now marked by a commemorative plaque, which was the result of collaboration between Scottish UFO researchers and the Livingston Development Corporation.

Summer 1988.
Wicklow, Ireland.
Ref 4

Peter Simmons lived just to the north of Dublin. He and a friend plus their respective wives and children went to spend a long weekend in Glenmalur Valley, a heavily wooded area of County Wicklow. Soon after arriving the entire group of adults and children decided to go for a walk. It was late evening but still bright, and it was their intention to get some fresh air and stretch their legs. With the children in front the party walked along chatting when suddenly they noticed a small figure, wearing what looked like overalls, busily tinkering with things at the top of a telephone pole. The group thought this odd and walking past they realised that if this was a telephone engineer at work then where was his van ? There were no houses or entrances nearby where such a van could be parked out of sight. They turned to look back at the figure but it had disappeared.

Click on the 'NEXT' arrow for page 4

Share this article with: