Scotland recommendations

If the wx is suitable, you could always avoid the BF charge by landing somewhere else first and then be a domestic flight.

But do you really want to go to a big city in Scotland? How about an alternative suggestion.

Go somewhere of the beaten track like Oban (small town) or Colonsay or Coll (islands with very few people on them) with amazing scenery around, and do some walking in peace and tranquility in a nice cool sea breeze. If its still too hot (unlikely) then jump into the sea at one of the many deserted beaches will have you quickly looking to get back out and warm up!

No ifr approaches but pick the right time and than may not be an issue.

Depends what you are looking for. Big cities? Then you have Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen perhaps Inverness, all are expensive – unfortunately deliberately to discourage non- scheduled visits.

Interesting? The western islands Mull, Plockton ( but perhaps too short?). Kirkwall in Orkney is worth thinking about. Orkney is very interesting, Avtur, ifr and a genuinely interesting history, stone circles, Viking connections etc. Shetland is possible but perhaps less scenic.

Regarding Glasgow I got a quote of nearly £751 by signature. When I asked for the PPL IR discount, I was told “we can’t apply the discount because “the manager is on holiday”.

Ended up contacting the Aeroclub and paid around £250 for a week.

I landed at Cumbernauld and Perth a week ago. Both are fine, but with no approaches. Spent three nights in Glasgow, with one of those days being a day trip to Edinburgh. Also stayed a night in Perth and a night in Stirling. Very enjoyable trip.

Glasgow has an excellent free museum and lots of lovely architecture. You could watch Rangers play a Scottish Cup game at Ibrox. (Celtic are on the road this weekend.)

Edinburgh is more touristy than Glasgow and has Festival Fringe going on, so it will be crowded.

If you like castles, Stirling’s is fun to visit. It’s not far from Cumbernauld, and it’s an easy train ride from Perth.

Perth is a pretty quiet town.

Not far from Inverness is a strip called Newhall Mains. It is part of a high quality hotel. The strip is the MOST impeccable grass strip I have ever seen. Billiard table quality. The owner who created it told me how he had used special self levelly graders etc to create it. Call the hotel of thr same name for details.

There are plenty of island airports with instrument approaches if you really need them. I’d give another vote for Kirkwall in Orkney – hire a car and drive around the island. Stornoway also IFR and a large island to drive around. Mull has Glenforsa if you are Ok with a grass airfield. There’s a hotel onsite or a premium hotel at the ferry port.

The scenery can be stunning – fly down the Great Glen, or follow the railway line from Oban to Loch Lomond. Weather can change frequently and at short notice. Airspace is not much of an issue when away from Glasgow/Edinburgh. Scottish Information give a good (non radar) plus Scottish Control provide radar when above about 5,000 feet.