Scotland’s UFO Crime Scene

On November 9, 1979, forester Robert Taylor encountered a UFO in Dechmont Woods. Objects emerged and attacked him, tearing his clothes and rendering him unconscious. Police investigated it as criminal assault—making it Scotland’s only official UFO crime scene.

Robert Taylor

The witness:

• 61 years old
• Forester
• Livingston Development Corporation
• Respected employee
• No reason to lie

The Location

Dechmont Woods:

• West Lothian
• Scotland
• Remote woodland
• Taylor’s work area
• Clear morning

The Discovery

What he found:

• Walked into clearing
• Large object present
• Dome-shaped
• Dark grey
• Hovering

The Object

Description:

• About 20 feet wide
• Sphere-like
• Rough texture
• Like sandpaper
• Hovering silently

The Attack

What happened:

• Smaller objects emerged
• Mine-like spheres
• Attached to legs
• Pulled him toward craft
• Acrid smell

The Damage

Physical evidence:

• Trousers torn
• Specific pattern
• Not worn through
• Ripped outward
• Consistent with account

Loss of Consciousness

What followed:

• Taylor blacked out
• Unknown duration
• Woke on ground
• Craft gone
• Severely shaken

Returning Home

Aftermath:

• Couldn’t speak clearly
• Walked home
• Wife called doctor
• Then police
• Investigation began

Police Investigation

Official response:

• Lothian Police
• Investigated as assault
• Criminal case opened
• Evidence collected
• Serious treatment

The Crime Scene

What police found:

• Track marks in grass
• Unusual pattern
• Ladder-like indentations
• Hole marks
• Physical evidence

The Trousers

Key evidence:

• Ripped not worn
• Laboratory analysis
• Force required
• Mechanical damage
• Preserved evidence

Medical Examination

Taylor’s condition:

• Abrasions on thighs
• Headache
• No other injury
• Checked thoroughly
• Consistent with account

The Sketch

Taylor’s drawing:

• Made for police
• Detailed craft
• Mine-like objects
• Scene depicted
• Important record

His Employer’s View

Work response:

• Believed him
• No question of honesty
• Good reputation
• No motive
• Supported him

Skeptical Explanations

Theories offered:

• Epileptic seizure
• Ball lightning
• Mirage
• None fit evidence
• All rejected

Why Credible

Supporting factors:

• Physical evidence
• Consistent account
• No history of problems
• Police investigation
• Track marks

Taylor’s Life After

Following years:

• Never changed story
• Lived quietly
• Died 2007
• Maintained account
• Never profited

The Clearing Today

Current status:

• Commemorative plaque
• Tourist attraction
• Visited regularly
• Historic site
• Scotland’s UFO capital

Significance

The only UFO encounter investigated as a criminal assault, with physical evidence and official police documentation.

Legacy

Robert Taylor’s encounter proves UFO cases can be investigated properly—with evidence collection, witness interviews, and official documentation. Scotland took it seriously.