Construction was started in 1955 and the DMTR was the first nuclear reactor to operate in Scotland. Its purpose was to test materials under

nuclear radiation conditions for the future fast reactor programme. It pro­duced 25 MW thermal but not electricity and was shut down in 1969.

Early decommissioning after shutdown was limited to post-operational clean out (POCO) and removal of non-active support facilities. Decommis­sioning during the early 2000s has been more comprehensive with cleaning out of the fuel pond and cells and the demolition of inactive buildings. DMTR is now in a care and maintenance period prior to final decommis­sioning and demolition programmed to start in 2015.