Scotland’s Most Physical UFO Case

On November 9, 1979, forestry worker Robert Taylor encountered a UFO in Dechmont Woods near Livingston, Scotland. When sphere-like devices attacked him, the case became the UK’s only UFO incident investigated as a criminal assault.

The Witness

Robert Taylor:

• 61 years old
• Forestry worker
• Development Corporation employee
• Lived locally
• Respected, reliable

The Morning

November 9, 1979:

• Around 10:00 AM
• Routine inspection
• Dechmont Woods
• Clearing in forest
• Dog accompanied him

The Object

Taylor encountered:

• Dome-shaped craft
• About 20 feet diameter
• Dark gray metallic
• Hovering above ground
• Silent

Surface Details

He noticed:

• Rim around base
• Dark patches on surface
• Like portholes
• Rotating slowly
• Materializing/dematerializing at edges

The Attack

Suddenly:

• Two spheres dropped
• From the object
• Spiked, mine-like
• Rolled toward him
• Attached to his trousers

The Assault

The spheres:

• Grabbed his legs
• Dragged him forward
• Strong ammonia smell
• He lost consciousness
• Collapsed

When He Woke

Taylor found:

• Lying on ground
• Object gone
• Dog barking
• Trousers torn
• Felt terrible

Physical State

He experienced:

• Couldn’t walk properly
• Severe headache
• Thirst
• Voice gone
• Had to crawl to car

The Evidence

Police found:

• Ladder-like marks in ground
• 32 holes in circular pattern
• Where spheres rolled
• Torn trousers
• Physical traces

Police Investigation

Lothian Police:

• Investigated as assault
• By unknown assailant
• Only such UFO case
• In UK history
• Serious inquiry

The Trousers

Forensic examination:

• Tears from below
• As if yanked upward
• Consistent with account
• Could not be self-inflicted
• Physical evidence

Ground Traces

Investigators documented:

• Distinct impressions
• Where object hovered
• Track marks from spheres
• Photographs taken
• Evidence preserved

The Dog’s Behavior

Taylor’s dog:

• Normally calm
• Extremely agitated
• Running in circles
• Barking frantically
• Witness reaction

Medical Examination

Taylor was examined:

• No head injury
• No drugs or alcohol
• Genuinely affected
• Residual symptoms
• Physical trauma

Taylor’s Reputation

Before and after:

• Never changed story
• Never sought publicity
• Worked until retirement
• Highly respected
• Died 2007

Official Conclusion

Police concluded:

• Something happened
• Taylor not lying
• Physical evidence real
• No explanation
• Case open

Significance

Dechmont case significant for:

• Physical evidence
• Police investigation
• Credible witness
• Ground traces
• Unique in UK

Legacy

The Dechmont Woods encounter remains the only UFO incident in UK history investigated as a criminal assault. Robert Taylor’s character, the physical evidence, and police involvement make this one of Scotland’s most compelling cases.