Crail Airfield is the best-preserved example of a Second World War Naval Airfield in Scotland. It is remarkable for its survival, completeness and the rarity of some of the individual buildings. It is highly significant not only in the wider terms of Naval and Second World War history, but is also of great local importance. It follows the Naval pattern off our narrow hard runways and associated brick, concrete and corrugated iron structures. The runways are part of the main operational side-the 'Technical Area' to the South-East-and the recreation and living quarters of the 'West Camp' are located to the North-West.

The Technical Area contains a range of Category A, B and C-listed buildings.

The more significant are:

-The Control Tower(Category A)

-The Torpedo Attack Training Building (Category A)

-The Engine and Aircraft Repair Shop (Category A)

-The Air Ministry Laboratory Trainer Building (Category A)

The West Camp contains Category B and C-listed buildings including the Gymnasium and Cinema (Category B).

However 62 years after the MOD left Crail Airfield, many of the most notable buildings lay dilapidated and are included in the Buildings at Risk register. The wider site is recognised as Derelict Land in the current Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey.

Vacant land is defined by the Scottish Government as 'land viewed as an appropriate site for development, having either had previous development on it or preparatory work in anticipation of future development'. Derelict land is that 'damaged by development, so that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without some remedial works'. Both relate to land that is capable of being reused but due to particular issues with the condition of a site, new development has not occurred. They are sometimes referred to as 'brownfield' sites.