2 days Ago By Graham Brown
Montrose will enjoy the sight and sound of a Spitfire in the iconic aircraft’s return to the roots of the RAF this weekend. On Sunday, the Battle of Britain aircraft will fly over the site where Britain’s first air base was established 111 years ago. And it will be an epic 60th birthday treat for local farmer Andrew Stirling whose Upper Dysart farmland has a proud place in RAF history.
Aircraft from No. 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps first touched down there in early 1913. The squadron later moved to Broomfield, just north of the Angus town.
Andrew says he cannot wait to fly in a Spitfire over the original site. The Stirling family’s and family play area is part of the business just south of Montrose. And they expect an influx of aviation fans on Sunday afternoon.
Flight experience specialist It offers the thrill of taking to the air in their two-seater Spitfire. Andrew said: “It’s a fantastic treat from the family for my 60th birthday. “We’d always been very proud of the part Upper Dysart played in the history of the RAF.
” In 2020 he for a Montrose pilot to land a light aircraft there. Andrew added: “Spitfires would have been a common sight over Montrose in the Second World War. “The base had long since moved to Broomfield by then.
But it will be a very special experience to fly over the land where those brave flyers first touched down.” The Spitfire is expected over Upper Dysart shortly after 3pm on Sunday. Tickets giving guaranteed access to the farm shop and Hay & Play area are available at In early 1913, aircraft from No.
2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps embarked on a 13-day journey north from Hampshire. The military pioneers were in search of a suitable base on Scotland’s east coast. It was part of a plan forged the previous year under the instructions of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill.
And on February 26, five aircraft under the command of Major Charles Burke landed at Upper Dysart. It saw the farmland become the first operational air base in British military history. But Major Burke had reservations about the long-term suitability of the site, And at the turn of 1914 the squadron moved to Broomfield, north of the town.
RAF Montrose played an important training role for Second World War pilots of many nationalities. And Spitfires flew from there to protect Edinburgh and the east coast from the threat of the Luftwaffe. The Broomfield base is now home to the popular .
A replica of the bought by the people of Arbroath in WWII stands at the entrance to the centre..
