Robert Taylor Incident (Dechmont Woods)

The Robert Taylor Incident is unique in UFO history—it’s the only case investigated by police as a criminal assault by an unknown assailant.

The Encounter

According to documented accounts:

On November 9, 1979, forestry worker Robert Taylor entered Dechmont Woods near Livingston:

• He walked into a clearing
• He saw a large metallic sphere hovering
• Two smaller spiked spheres rolled toward him
• They attached to his trousers
• He smelled a choking odor
• He lost consciousness

The Craft

Taylor described:

• A large gray sphere (about 20 feet in diameter)
• Dark patches that might have been windows
• A rough texture like sandpaper
• Two smaller spheres emerged from it
• They had appendages like sea mines

The Attack

The smaller objects:

• Rolled rapidly toward him
• Attached to his trouser legs
• Dragged him toward the main craft
• He smelled an acrid burning odor
• He lost consciousness

Physical Evidence

When Taylor was found:

• His trousers were torn
• His dog was frantic
• Track marks were found in the clearing
• His car was stuck (he’d tried to drive away disoriented)
• He was dazed and couldn’t speak properly

Police Investigation

Lothian and Borders Police:

• Investigated as a criminal assault
• Documented the torn trousers
• Photographed track marks in the clearing
• Found no conventional explanation
• The case remains open

Taylor’s Credibility

Robert Taylor was considered reliable:

• Employed by the Forestry Commission for years
• No history of making claims
• Well-respected in his community
• Never sought publicity
• Maintained his account until his death in 2007

Medical Examination

Taylor was examined:

• He had grazes on his legs
• He was dehydrated
• He had a headache for hours
• The symptoms were consistent with his account

The Track Marks

Police documented:

• Two parallel ladder-like marks where the craft allegedly sat
• 32 smaller circular holes possibly from the smaller objects
• The marks were consistent with Taylor’s description
• They could not be explained

Skeptical Explanations

Critics have proposed:

• A mirage or hallucination (doesn’t explain physical evidence)
• Epileptic seizure (Taylor had no history of epilepsy)
• Ball lightning (doesn’t match the description)

Legacy

The Taylor incident is significant because:

• Official police investigation
• Physical evidence (torn trousers, tracks)
• Credible witness with no motive to lie
• It remains Scotland’s most famous UFO case

Sources

• Robert Taylor incident - Wikipedia