Dounreay
（重定向自Prototype Fast Reactor）
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Dounreay_Prototype_Fast_Reactor2001.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Caithness_UK_relief_location_map2002.jpg")
![Schematic diagram showing the operation of the DFR, a NaK cooled FBR.
Key
1Fissile Pu-239 core
2Control rods
3U-238 Breeder blanket
4Primary NaK coolant loop
5Secondary NaK coolant loop
6Secondary NaK circulator
7Secondary heat exchanger
8Primary heat exchanger
9Primary NaK circulator
10Boronised graphite neutron shield
11Radiation shield](/Images/godic/202502/04/DFR_Schematic.svg2002.png")
![Vulcan NRTE entrance](/Images/godic/202502/04/Entrance_road_to_Vulcan_NRTE_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5491472002.jpg")
Dounreay (/ˌduːnˈreɪ/; Scottish Gaelic:Dùnrath) (Ordnance Survey grid referenceNC982669) is on the north coast of Caithness, in the Highland area of Scotland and west of the town of Thurso. Dounreay was originally the site of a castle (now a ruin) and its name derives from the Gaelic for 'fort on a mound.' Since the 1950s it has been the site of two nuclear establishments, for the development of prototype fast breeder reactors and submarine reactor testing. Most of these facilities are now being decommissioned.