Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

‘Welcome to Dounreay’: ideological narratives of hospitality at the Dounreay visitor centre, c.1960 - 2007

Mercer-Jones, Elaine

Authors



Abstract

Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment (NPDE) was built in the far northeast of Scotland due to the possible ‘misbehaviour’ of the technology and the dangerous nature of the materials involved. From 1960 to the eve of decommissioning in 2007, despite numerous health and safety issues across the Dounreay nuclear facility, a visitor centre operated there. Initially, its purpose was to satisfy public curiosity and provide information about the atomic work being undertaken. From the 1970s, however, the objective of the Dounreay visitor centre shifted, to focus on overcoming public objections to nuclear power. Archive material made available by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was analysed according to themes addressed in the literature review. Findings reveal an ideological narrative curated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and presented to the public via exhibitions, brochures, hands-on displays, and outreach activities. At the visitor centre, Dounreay and its associated technologies were simplified, ‘banalized,’ via a narrative that sought to frame an inhospitable destination (Dounreay) as a safe, welcoming, and hospitable place to visit.

Citation

Mercer-Jones, E. (2024). ‘Welcome to Dounreay’: ideological narratives of hospitality at the Dounreay visitor centre, c.1960 - 2007. Hospitality and Society, 14, 217-246. https://doi.org/10.1386/hosp_00077_1

Journal Article Type Data Article / Data Paper
Acceptance Date Apr 4, 2024
Online Publication Date Sep 10, 2024
Publication Date 2024-06
Deposit Date May 14, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jul 1, 2025
Print ISSN 2042-7913
Publisher Intellect
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 14
Pages 217-246
DOI https://doi.org/10.1386/hosp_00077_1
Keywords Dounreay, Nuclear power, Visitor centre, Inhospitable, Ideology
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

Files

This file is under embargo until Jul 1, 2025 due to copyright reasons.

Contact repository@napier.ac.uk to request a copy for personal use.







You might also like



Downloadable Citations