Scotland’s most famous UFO encounter now an ex file after cops close 40-year probe

Mystery still surrounds the 1979 incident in which Robert Taylor said aliens tried to abduct him in West Lothian

The investigation into Scotland’s most famous UFO encounter dating back nearly 40 years is now closed, police have confirmed.

Mystery still surrounds the 1979 incident in West Lothian in which Robert Taylor said aliens tried to abduct him.

The forestry worker said he saw a 30ft metallic sphere hovering in Dechmont Law woods in Livingston.

As he approached, two smaller spheres emerged and started to drag him before he blacked out.

Police later found unusual marks that didn’t match any known vehicle. Tests showed his clothes were likely ripped by a metal device pulling upward.

But Police Scotland, responding to a query by UFO expert Malcolm Robinson, said their X-File into the alleged assault by “persons or a person unknown” was now closed.

Mr Taylor, who died in 2007, survived with cuts and grazes, and a pair of torn trousers, which Mr Robinson now owns.

He said: “I would’ve hoped they’d have kept the case open because they never identified who assaulted him.”