How to Find Us
From Elgin take the A941 south towards Rothes (signposted Perth) for about three miles, passing Benriach Distillery on your left. Take the road on the right, signposted Birnie. From Rothes and the south, take the A941 north towards Elgin. Pass the car sales garage at Fogwatt on your right, and shortly after the end of the 50 mph zone take the road on the left, signposted Birnie, just before the block of trees. Follow the Birnie road all the way to a T-junction. Turn left here and follow this road for half a mile until you come to the signpost on the left at the entrance to the airfield.
The below interactive map gives direction to the Airfield entrance from Elgin. Click this link for full screen.
GPS co-ordinates of the airfield entrance : 57.586496, -3.321363
The entrance to the site is on the left, just south of Easterton Farm. To get to the visitor car park, follow the track from the airfield entrance into the site.
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Follow the track round to the left and turn right in front of the trees. Remain on the track until you come to the visitor’s car park. The track is bumpy so please drive slowly. Remember that the track is for 2-way traffic so take special care around corners. |
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Visitors Car Park
Your car must remain in the car park unless entering or leaving the site. Vehicles are parked on site at their owners’ risk. Note that your car insurance policy may not cover you while on an active airfield. On arrival, please remain in the vicinity of the carpark/clubhouse until accompanied by a club member. |
When Is the Site Active?
The club operates mainly at weekends and flights for members of the public only take place at weekends. There are no set hours for club operations but flying usually starts sometime after 10am and finishes around 5pm.
Gliding is weather dependent and we cannot fly in certain conditions – rain, high winds, fog or falling snow for example. If you have booked a flight and it has to be cancelled because the weather is unsuitable, the club will try to contact you in advance and void the booking on the website so that you can book another time. We will not be held liable for any travel costs to the airfield where the lesson is cancelled. If you are in any doubt about whether your flight will go ahead, please contact the site before starting your journey.
Note that there are occasions when experienced pilots fly in rough air conditions which would be unsuitable for a beginner.
Stay Safe
How safe is it? Gliding has risks in the same way as other adventure sports such as canoeing, skiing, or mountaineering. We take care to ensure that our exposure to any risks is as low as is reasonably practicable. Our instructors are trained to British Gliding Association standards and are subject to ongoing checks. All of our aircraft undergo an inspection each day before they fly and are covered by a preventative maintenance system which includes overhauls by qualified aircraft inspectors.
We want you to enjoy your time with us so please help us by observing the following guidelines:
The airfield is busy with both gliders and powered aircraft. Children must be supervised at all times. Dogs are to be kept on a lead at all times and should remain in the vicinity of the clubhouse and car park. You must clear up any dog mess.
Take care when in the vicinity of the grass runway which makes up the majority of the airfield as aircraft may take off or land at any time and you may not hear a glider approaching. Cross the runway only after you have had a briefing from a club member on the hazards involved. Cross at the end boundary and only when you have checked the sky both ways to ensure that the runway is free from approaching aircraft. Cross as quickly as is reasonable and do not stop on the runway unless specifically told to. Never walk in front of an aircraft or glider that is taking off or landing.
The majority of glider launching is by being towed into the sky by a powered aircraft, this is known unsurprisingly as aerotow. Never walk in front of an aircraft when the propeller is turning and never approach the front of powered aircraft in case the engine starts.
Highland Gliding Club also launches gliders by winch. The winch itself will be at the opposite end of the strip from the glider launch point and a pair of steel cables are laid along the side of the runway next to the track up the middle of the strip. When launching, one of these cables is attached to the glider and the winch pulls in the cable at high speed. Do not approach the winch or the cables as they can cause severe injury.
Highland Gliding Club has several aircraft storage sheds. Do not enter any of these unless accompanied by a club member.
Only club members may enter the aircraft workshop.
Highland Gliding Club has an obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practical, visitors do not come to harm when using our facilities and equipment. All visitors to the club also have a legal duty to take care and avoid harming themselves or others by their actions or omissions.
Your Flight
There are no age limits for taking a trial lesson in a glider, though we do not recommend gliding for children younger than 12 years. If you have mobility problems please contact us before booking. Anyone under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For safety reasons, our aircraft have strict load and balance requirements and unfortunately, we cannot offer flights to anyone weighing in excess of 105kg (16.5 stones).
The cockpit may not be large enough for you if you are more than 6' 6" (1.98 metres) tall. If this is the case please discuss this with us before booking.
Please note that for legal and safety reasons you should not consume alcohol within 12 hours before flying. If we have reason to suspect that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs you will not be allowed to fly. If you suffer from any of the following medical conditions we require you to obtain a certificate from your doctor that (s)he considers you fit to fly in a glider with access to the controls: epilepsy, fits, severe head injury, recurrent fainting, giddiness or blackouts, unusually high blood pressure, a previous coronary, insulin-controlled diabetes or psychiatric problems.
Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes, suitable for climbing into a glider cockpit (it’s a bit like stepping into a bath). Make sure you bring some warm clothing as it can be cold in flight, gloves and a hat are great if the weather is cold on the ground.
You can bring your camera or camcorder – the views are superb! Please ensure that any devices you bring cannot fall onto the cockpit floor during flight where they could obstruct the controls. A wrist or neck strap for a camera is ideal, if your device does not have a strap then have a suitable pocket for stowing it and hold it securely when it is in use.
You are welcome to bring along guests, please ensure that, if they leave the car park area, they are aware of the hazards around the site and/or are accompanied by a club member.
Facilities on Site
We have a purpose-built clubhouse situated at the east end of the site, next to the car park. Please come in and make yourself at home.
Toilets are located in the clubhouse on the left of the entrance corridor.
Soft drinks (chargeable) and tap water (free) are available, please ask a club member for assistance.
The clubhouse kitchen is for members use only.
Webcams show activities on site near the clubhouse and main glider storage shed.
Contact Details
You can use the message page found here: Contact Us.
Site Plan
