500nm chasing mountains and monsters – Day Four of our epic UK Tour 2021
It was a fairly short hop into Kirkbride for our first fuel of the day. All landing within minutes of each other at the pumps. We all took as much fuel as we could within our weight limits as we knew that flying through Scotland can be demanding both on pilots and aircraft. It was important to consider the possibility of diversions due to conditions so our route to next stop Oban should realistically only take 2 hours from Kirkbride could take up to an hour more hence the need for plenty of fuel.
We stocked up on a few snacks at Kirkbride before heading out as during our previous tour we found ourselves at Oban quite peckish and there were no supplies! We flew across the South-Western edge of Scotland from Dumfries and then made our way North, loosely speaking towards Prestwick then out towards the West coast. A pleasant crossing of Clyde to Arran. Taking a tour of the East side which was filled with fond memories of my family holidays there; fingers crossed not too long until we are back there. Arran ✅ it was time to make our way through the islands to the North. Incredible to see how isolated some of these tiny islands were and how remote some of the properties are being only connected to a small town by a road that clearly disappeared under the water at high tide.
We are always very conscious when crossing water, in particular in colder so we had lifejackets, person locator beacons and stayed in formation, not too close but in sight of one another. Our proximity is important as should an issue arise we will quickly see if that another helicopter requires assistance. Thankfully such problems are extremely rare but we tend to plan for the possibility of always something happening in the hope that of course that nothing ever does.
Into Oban for our next fuel stop and for once it wasn’t raining! Although it had been before we arrived. But for us the sun was shining and it was actually very pleasant. Conscious of the time and the changeable weather we didn’t hang around too long. Making our way up through The Highlands we set a course for Fort William and Ben Nevis! Climbing mountains in Wales is one thing but Ben Nevis remains illusive for us, every time we have seen it, it has been lost in cloud. From Fort William we made our way South through the Lochs; Loch Lochy, Loch Ness etc emerging on the North-eastern corner of Scotland in Inverness. As we flew over Loch Ness there were some VERY unusual ripples from the water… We really did! Rebecca also saw them and we did manage to get some photographs of the ripples and they were clearly going into a different direction to the wind and there was plenty of them as well.
Now, flying through Scotland is beautiful, it’s a bit like the Lake District but just on a much bigger scale, but the weather is definitely far more challenging. First obstacle is the landscape itself. Whilst at first glance it appears there is much to orientate yourself; large features and lochs etc. One can very easily be mistaken for another and you will quickly find yourself completely lost! It’s really important to have good navigation skills, keep a close eye on exactly where you are and of course if you are in a group close contact with those around you. One of the reasons we take through from Oban to Inverness via the lochs is because it does simplify that navigation.
Next to consider is when flying around the mountains; up drafts and down drafts, creating turbulent winds so we think well ahead about which side of the mountain and hills we are going to be flying depending on where the winds are coming from and to avoid them as much as possible. The clues/signs to spot these is to look out for low-level clouds coming across the top of the mountains and rolling down the other side, movement of trees, ripples across water, all those sorts of things.
After Inverness, we continued along a picturesque railway line passing Aviemore, famous for its skiing, no snow in September. Through the Cairngorns and the Grampian mountain range, it’s a strange feeling flying through there as become aware you’re slowing making your way south out of Scotland but you’ve definitely left some of the bigger hills and the weather behind you. It always fab to fly over there; easy and relaxed flying and the route that we take, navigation wise, following a railway line all the way down and into Perth.
Perth is an old military base for flight training, similar size to Duxford. And after refuelling it was on to the last sortie of the day, about 100 nautical miles or just over an hour seemed quite easy compared to the 400+ what we had just flown through with Scotland. Our next landmark was crossing the Firth of Forth which is a reasonable expanse of water, again it was on with the lifejackets and in loose formation. We were talking to Edinburgh on the radio, who were super friendly, zone transit if we wanted it which made life much easier and then we picked up the coastline. Down passed Berwick on Tweed and into Northumberland with a quick fly-by for Alswick Castle before landing at Eshott.
Conditions at Eshott were on the windy side but all the pilots handled it incredibly well. We were told we were almost be chased in by a military operation; Chinooks and Pumas for fuelling. As it happened, we never actually saw the aircraft but we saw the ground troops getting all the trucks and hoses ready and told we had to be on the ground as soon as possible. It transpired, the next day they were meant to fuel in the mountains but the weather had them divert to Eshott.
Getting a taxi was tricky but plan B was to ride the three alpacas that were living at the airfield! Luckily one of the instructor’s daughters lived nearby so she and her husband very kindly ferried us to Eshott Hall.
Eshott hall is very grand manor house hotel & and restaurant. On our last visit I slept in the stables, not as bad as it sounds obviously, they have been converted into very nice little block of apartments. But this time I was in the main house which was fabulous. A quick change for dinner and a wonderful last supper for all of us swapping stories of our journey through Scotland and whether or not we saw NESSY!
Look our for Day Five coming soon…
