The skies over Angus have been buzzing with light aircraft this weekend.
And the return of Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre’s fly-in after a two-year break brought folk flocking to the site of Britain’s first operational military flying base.
Around 50 aircraft dropped in on the town for the two-day event on Saturday and Sunday.
Their landing strip was set up on the Broomfield grounds where pilots at RAF Montrose trained during the First World War and Second World War.
The farthest-travelled flyer made the trip all the way from Oxford.
Flying experiences on offer
And plenty of visitors took the chance to get a bird’s eye view of the town by taking to the skies in a microlight or gyrocopter.
Perth-based Alba Airsports offered experienced flights over the museum site at the north end of Montrose and the Angus coast.
The planes included a gaggle of home-built machines and a 1943 Piper Cub which flew at Normandy during the Second World War.
It is owned by Russell Myles, a senior pilot with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance based at Scone.
And there was a Vietnam-era Cessna ‘Bird Dog’ spotter plane once used by the US Air Force.
It was just as busy on the ground, with a host of attractions at the museum throughout the weekend.
It included a spectacular array of military vehicles as well as classic cars.
The centre’s recently-arrived Tornado GR4 and Animals at War exhibition proved popular with the big crowds.
Neil Butler of MAHSC said: “It’s great to be able to show people the heritage of the air station and see planes on the original 1913 landing grounds.
“Our first open weekend and fly-in was in 1988 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of RAF Montrose.
“So here we are, 34 years on, and it is great to be able to have folk back.
“This is the last major air event in the north east of Scotland and, between the pandemic and changes in the aviation environment, it’s now the largest of its kind in Scotland.
“It’s very much an event for people to get involved with and there is also a strong Stem educational element to it.
“We’re very grateful to Angus Council for their support and for all the other businesses and organisation who help make it a success.
“The centre is a huge part of the town and the tourism infrastructure of Angus so we’re delighted to bring so many people to Montrose.”
Photographer Paul Reid captured the action in the air and on the ground.
Conversation