Where Can you Fly a Drone in Scotland Without the Police Bothering you?

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

All bears repeating, so thanks again Robert! I enquired at the ticket office at Stirling castle how far away I would need to be to to fly mine (too windy so I hadn’t brought it). Her response was actually surprisingly accommodating and she suggested the nearby graveyard. Which is exactly where I will launch as there’s a perfect raised viewing area.

[@WindsweptRobert]

I think as time goes by, more establishments will become aware of the laws regarding drones :)

[@Big.C]

nice grave yard too .... worth a fly round on its own ....cant remember who think maybe Edward but there's a king buried there

[@2AdAlchemy]

How lucky am I in Australia. Wide open spaces and the nearest Policeman 150 kms away.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

😂Lucky you. ✌🏻👏

[@johnstannard8366]

In UK around every corner is a Dickhead!

[@MaineMan086]

Thanks, Robert! Very helpful indeed! I will be bringing my Mini 3 Pro to Scotland next year, and will have the references you provided with me should anyone question my activity!

[@WindsweptRobert]

Fantastic!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

That’s a fabulous drone. The GoFly software makes it relatively easy to stick to the law in any country. I flew mine in the Austrian Alps in September and was surprised to find the RCT warning me I was flying above the local max allowed height which in one place was 80m and in another only 30m! When a helicopter suddenly popped over a ridge it all made sense. I had to adjust my RTH rapidly. You’ll find lots of nice bits to fly in the Scottish countryside and coast if you get the weather.✌🏻👍

[@stevew4961]

Very helpful.. I’m visiting Scotland next year and intending to get some aerial footage of the stunning natural beauty😊

[@WindsweptRobert]

Have fun!

[@Scotphotoamateur]

Thanks for your hard work clarifying things.

[@WindsweptRobert]

My pleasure!

[@teessidedroneservices]

similar to not being able to fly over stone henge. The things have been there for 5,000 years. A little plastic drones not gonna do any damage.

[@WindsweptRobert]

I can't say what the rules are in England, sorry :(

[@Tony_33]

Ian from London did a video recently about flying over Stonehenge, if you haven't seen it he basically says they cant stop you flying over it as long as you take off from public land, he flew from a nearby public track where alot of people park up. Some organisations in the UK like National Trust, English Heritage and some water utility companies are putting up no drones signs but as I understand it if you take off from public land or have permission to go onto private land and fly they can't stop you flying over theirs.

[@teessidedroneservices]

​@@Tony_33 Theres a temporary NFZ in place from June to August 26th fella, regardless of where you TOAL

[@Tony_33]

@@teessidedroneservices yes mate he mentions that and of course the permanent one of Larkhill

[@penelopepitstop7748]

Because there are so many lies about it’s history that’s why there is an army base over it to stop us finding out the truth of its history.

[@johnburns5783]

Good video Robert. Nice wee bit o research there. 😉😉

[@WindsweptRobert]

Hope it helps visitors and resident alike! :)

[@HighWithHammy]

Thanks for all this information, mate,from cumbernauld myself starting out, main venu and outreach but will be making lots of interesting videos around Scotland,take care for now. Keep up the fantastic videos brother!

[@kevinlincoln9111]

Great! Thanks WSR. I am coming up next week for 2 weeks and looking forward to flying my drone.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Where are you coming to? Which area?

[@kevinlincoln9111]

@@WindsweptRobert Mainly Finzean near Banchory but have a couple of days at Embo, a couple in Edinburgh and overnight on Dunfermline.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Too far north for me! ;)

[@sailingsubmariner]

I’m visiting family and friends in Gourock Sep/Oct and will be bring my drone, thanks for the great info. All the best

[@WindsweptRobert]

Hope this wee video helps you to have more relaxed fun flying when you come up! :)

[@sailingsubmariner]

@@WindsweptRobert Newark Castle and The Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow are looking good.

[@mightycarver6441]

Great advice!

[@WindsweptRobert]

Glad it was helpful!

[@uffo200]

Thanks for that Robert, was very interesting and yes I followed your points exactly. I live close to the castle you mention, the one with the long drive and as a new drone flyer I go there to practice but haven't been sure if I could fly standing on their land or had to stand on the public road that skirts part of the property. I know now that I can. It seems to me that it might be a good idea for me to print the Land Reform rules and carry them just in case someone attempts to stop me from flying not just there but elsewhere. I'm going over to Mull and then up to Fort William shortly and intend to fly over its many castles and monuments.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Printing off copies of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and maybe even highlighting the relevant parts, is not a bad idea :)

[@williamgardner2739]

@uffo200 Someone recently said on this channel, the reason why you should not fly drones over castles is they can damage them. I think if my little drone crashed into a castle it wouldn`t do any damage to the castle but I would have to bury my poor wee drone.

[@johnnymac26]

Well done mate 👏 spot on. I was in skye earlier this year place was plasterd with no drone signs total bs!

[@WindsweptRobert]

They will probably deter some people, and maybe that's the aim.

[@coconutislanddrones]

@@WindsweptRobert Doesn't deter me.

[@albertsmith1048]

On Drone Assist it shows vast amount's of the Highlands from Ft William up to Thurso, restricted to flying because of the RAF using it for low flying practice. No getting round that I would guess.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Aye, that's one of the bad things about much of the Highlands. Come to the Lowlands instead! :)

[@helmsdale100]

very informative thank you

[@WindsweptRobert]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidmuir6849]

Hi Robert I’ve just cane across your channel this evening and thought it is fantastic. I’m from Bo’ness but now live in Cupar . I’m 60 years old and have been in aviation for 43 years ,currently a caa licenced aircraft engineer ,light aircraft pilot and DJI mini 2 pilot as a hobby . To be honest nobody owns the airspace above anything ,my rule is that when I’m flying the mini 2 if it’s near an airport or airfield take for instance I live in Cupar . If I wanted to take a shot along St Andrews beach or the castle then I would have to get permission from leuchars atc and a police incident number ,it’s really easy ,it’s just 2 phone calls one to atc and the local police . So really in my eyes I will fly my mini 2 anywhere in Scotland as long as - 1 do a risk assessment of the area 2 check your not in an air traffic zone ,if you are then just call them up and tell them what your intentions are 3 - have fun , because that’s why we fly drones 😊 Cheers Dave from Cupar

[@WindsweptRobert]

Perfect advice, Dave! :)

[@davidmuir6849]

Thanks Robert Your information is spot on 👍

[@WindsweptRobert]

Dave, iId be very interested to hear your opinion on my most recent livestream where I talk about the ability to fly a drone such as a Mavic 3 in the UK in the A1 category. Thanks :)

[@davidmuir6849]

@@WindsweptRobert Aye sure Robert could you show me a link ,thanks Dave

[@WindsweptRobert]

kzbin.infolRz2p8hTayY?feature=share

[@autisticdrone.]

I’m not sure if I mentioned this after a previous video, but the Welsh government had none enforceable drone rules above sites. I had looked of Flint Castle’s website, to look at any drone rules. They had the usual, can’t take off or land from any of their sites, but they also had, you can not fly over. I emailed them pointing out the actual CAA rules, by “coincidence” they were reviewing their policy at that time. After a few weeks they updated their page, removing the cannot fly over part, but added a list of sites that were in FRZ’s. I checked on drone assist, only 2 out of five places were in an FRZ, an idiot had wrote the list, trying to put people off flying over their solid stone castles. Castles that can stand up to a siege, but would be wiped out by a 249g drone. I emailed them to point out errors, but after 2 months I am yet to get a reply. How rude !

[@WindsweptRobert]

Officials will spout policy as if it is law. It is not.

[@colinrobinson1960]

Hi Robert I have flown round some of the castles but waited till they are closed and not fly on their land sorry this is late as have just seen this 🙂

[@tartanmann5252]

Interesting video Robert, very informative. My understanding about By-laws in England is that the Local Council/landowners can ban drone owners from taking off or landing from/on their property but not from flying over it.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Aye, the law is quite different in Scotland and so we have much more freedom to fly :)

[@rebelwithoutapauseFE224]

Thanks for this, so we have the right to roam & fly a drone 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 you were extremely clear, 👍

[@WindsweptRobert]

Thanks. It sounds a bit convoluted, but that's just because my Long Covid brain can't relay the info as clearly as I'd like. You can fly your drone in Scotland pretty much anywhere you like. In a recent livestream I explain how you can also fly a drone bigger than 250g with the same restrictions that you can with a sub 250g drone. i'll be pulling the relevant info from the livestream and creating a shorter video on that soon :)

[@walkabout16]

Come to Scotland, where the wild lands call, The right to roam, for one and all. With heathered hills and mountains grand, Bring your drone, capture the stunning land. From ancient castles to lochs so deep, A tapestry of history to keep. Through glens and moors, you're free to stray, Explore the beauty, come what may. In highland mist and lowland plain, Where legends echo, hear their refrain. You might meet Robert Burns, so fair, His spirit lingers in the air. Embrace the rugged, untamed terrain, Let nature's song free your soul's chain. The soaring eagles in the sky, Will lead you where the wild geese fly. Through ancient forests, walk with pride, As mighty rivers rush beside. The right to roam, a cherished grace, In Scotland's heart, find your embrace. But wander with respect and care, For nature's gifts are ours to share. Leave only footprints as you roam, Preserve the beauty for those to come. So come to Scotland, let your heart unfurl, Explore its wonders, let adventure swirl. With every step, you'll find your route, In this enchanting, wild pursuit.

[@williamgardner2739]

@walkabout16 I really enjoyed your poem, it says everything needed to fly a drone in Scotland. Are you sure you are not Robert Burns

[@kormakid7]

Great content , how does this apply to sssi areas like Ben Nevis for example.

[@WindsweptRobert]

You’ll have to check what the sssi is for. There’s one at Loch Doon, but it’s for a rare prehistoric species of fish. So drones can fly there, despite some people saying they can’t :)

[@the_grand_tourer]

Just found you after KZbin pushed your 'ranger encounter' video. Listening to this talk by you, very useful to see these mists cleared, there's too much deliberate distortion. I know people using drones to explore salmon farms, and now that industry is trying to conjure up similar inventions as Historic Monuments, they just don't want people to see the horrors of their business.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Thanks. Scotland has a few more freedoms to participate in recreational activities, but we also have some unusual laws regarding identifying yourself when asked to by a police officer.

[@uavisionsUK]

You mention the Wallace Monument a couple of times. At the risk of sounding like a keyboard warrior, the monument is operated by Stirling Council. They do have "no drone zone" signs which I think are the result of an incident in 2015 which caused damage to a window. However, Stirling Council are very helpful if contacted to "ask permission" to fly from their land. I flew there in February this year and all they basically wanted was to see that I was certified and insured. I had absolutely no problem providing these details beforehand as I completely understand their concern. Really enjoy your videos. A lot of them make me wish I was back home in Scotland more often.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Good point, ua. However, if you had contacted them and they had 'denied' you permission to fly, what would you have done then?

[@uavisionsUK]

@@WindsweptRobert I guess that I would've had to weigh up the pros and cons of bringing out my inner frauditor. 🤢🤣 But in all seriousness, I had asked to fly out with their opening hours for minimum impact. So I suppose there's the question of, would anyone have known if they had said no and I did it anyway? I had almost finished when the staff arrived to open up for the day. They were so interested to see drone capabilities and hear a little bit about the hobby. Not sure if it would've been the same if they didn't know I'd be there. And [hopefully] it got me on their "good guy radar". Yes, we as operators know what we can and can't do. But, if we do our best to give others that little bit of peace of mind, perhaps we can reduce the concern/stigma that some seem to have regarding the hobby.

[@WindsweptRobert]

I never go out of my way to upset or annoy anyone, but if someone is annoyed by me, then that's something they need to think about :)

[@uavisionsUK]

I never meant to suggest that you do. Sorry if it came across like that. It was more about people in general. As you know, it doesn't matter how nice you are to people who approach you when flying; there's a percentage who seem to have an attitude no matter what.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Oh, I didn't take anything you said as negative, I was just saying that I try to fly without annoyance, but some people just get annoyed at anything these days. If they do, that's their problem, not mine :)

[@Cino_Mania]

Staff at Wallace monument was extremely rude when i asked if I could fly there. Someone did fly during my visit and staff was running around trying to find the pilot.

[@WindsweptRobert]

The signs there cite a regulation that is out of date and has been superseded.

[@TheLastModernist]

I was told by security at OVO Hydro Glasgow that I wasn't allowed to fly there (there was no event on at the time). Didn't want any bother so just left. Might go back :)

[@WindsweptRobert]

Sometimes it's not worth arguing (unless you're a frauditor who has set out to cause an argument for your content!)

[@TheLastModernist]

@@WindsweptRobert Yeah, I've no real desire to anatagonise folk. thanks

[@hovelad]

Coming to Scotland soon and good to know that it is the same as England in that while some land owners can restrict you taking off on their land they don’t own the airspace above the land

[@WindsweptRobert]

It's a bit better in Scotland for drone flying because of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. They don't have that law in England or Wales or NI

[@ally3728]

has any of these laws - regs changed recently, the reason I asked is I have just bought a drone after a 2-year break from flying a drone - just catching up on current regs for sub 250 mini 3 , is there any quick ref guides, or just the 2 documents ou mention - cheers ps I'm based in central Scotland

[@WindsweptRobert]

Nothing has changed since I created this video :)

[@ally3728]

@@WindsweptRobert Cheers i didn't think so ,thanks again

[@toadscrote123321]

The one thing I'm wondering with all this is: Can I stand outwith a site that takes payment to enter and still fly the drone into the airspace? As in, stand well away from the Wallace Monument and send the drone up for some footage? Can' see how this would be a problem or anything to worry about but not certain

[@WindsweptRobert]

Yes you can 😁

[@dronescenecarlisle]

Drone signs up at Carlisle Castle, by English Heritage, specifies not allowed for commercial drone flying, so I am pleasure flying, so went ahead, successfully.

[@SimplyScotlandPhotography]

Am so glad your pointing people in the right direction regarding Historic Scotland and the right to roam. I for one are sick to the hind teeth with HS dictating and putting up nonce notices. They maintain the land only they do not own it.👍great work 👍👍. HS charge for all their sites as far as I am aware. But they as you have well pointed out don't own the air above.

[@WindsweptRobert]

They spout bs and try to sound authoritative. Many people fall for this.

[@Jo-br8td]

I live in midlothian Scotland and the council refused me flying my drone in a public park however I messaged there legal department and they have no bylaws pertaining to drones.. And the refusal was just the park managers decision without any law to back it up...

[@WindsweptRobert]

They like to try it on.

[@ScotlandDroneView]

Anyone puting up a "no drone sign" should be fined if they have not informed the CAA, for them to amend the airspace map. they may have a high crane coming, so for safety no drones. But thats pointless without updating CAA maps. that will sort them.

[@alexmcmeekin2658]

I spend a reasonable amount of time in Scotland and am slowly working towards the full move. After half a century in England and London I'm tired of it all and all the bureaucratic crap and self-interested nonsense. Scotland's right to roam is eminently sensible, and the drone laws are similarly decent. Drones aside, even being very obviously English I have found a far higher percentage of Scots to be friendly and kind and welcoming than in my own "homeland" Yeah you'll get the odd twat here and there, but on the whole it's a far better place to be and also is epically beautiful.

[@WindsweptRobert]

You’ll enjoy the extra freedoms you have here :)

[@alexmcmeekin2658]

@@WindsweptRobert Indeed! Since beginning to spend part of the year on Skye I looked into the right to roam laws in some detail to ensure that I wasn't being either too timid or overstepping the mark, and the first impression on a full read through was "This is sensible and fair, to both parties! How has this happened!" The chances of such a sensible and fair approach being written into statute here in England is akin to a snowball in hell! Back up in two weeks and hoping for good flyable weather!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Great to have the Scottish access gone over. I intend writing to National Trust Scotland for a general permission to fly from within their properties since they have a statement‘somewhere’ indicating that they support use of recreational drones. I need to find that section again so I can quote it . I was pretty sure they had no right to restrict fly overs so long as we stick to CAA rules. I’ve been a member for years and of course would never cause damage or upset visitors on purpose. I’ve passed the wee test and paid my money to register my 249g Mini 3 Pro, so they know where I live if I drop on anybody or on a building. But there will be a lot of ‘unaware’ jobsworths out there who will be only too keen to make it difficult for us. Sadly a few ‘pilots’ will take the mickey and maybe cause serious accidents that may adversely impact on our hobby.

[@WindsweptRobert]

We all want to fly respectfully without bothering anyone, but we also don't want to have our freedoms restricted. Often a fine line to walk :)

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@WindsweptRobert It would be nice if that were the case but stuff shared online includes a drone being flown through a funfair and ‘buzzing’ the cops on the busy beach who were looking for him. I spoon news item from 2 years ago(?) where a guy was fined nearly £2k after flying his near an airport (East Midlands) and over a music festival crowd a couple of miles : he must have really good eyesight😂 or a drone the size of helicopter.

[@Big.C]

the land reform act entitles you to access to land where there has been historical proven public access going back at least ten years ..... had to go through this with a neighbour that thought they were entitled to put an opening over my driveway which under new regulation is considered private

[@gbkiller007]

Health and safety during the flight is the Pilots responsibility and not the premises you are flying over.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Absolutely correct :)

[@watp6528]

CAA own the Airspace, not the Herritage sites, id love the KZbin Auditors like DJ AUDITS do some videos in Scotland

[@WindsweptRobert]

CAA don't 'own' the airspace. The YT frauditors would get their arses handed to them on a plate if they tried their nonsense on in Scotland.

[@robbo508]

I ll be doing the NC500 in 2 weeks and I will be taking my drone but when I looked at drone assist, nearly all of the top end scotland is in the Red for restrictions, the coast looks fine but certain videos are on KZbin of the places in Red ,I'm confused

[@WindsweptRobert]

Many parts of The Highlands are used for RAF exercises and often have very low flying fast jets. A lot of the area is permanently no fly

[@robbo508]

@WindsweptRobert , oh thanks for quick response, yeah I will keep the flying to outside Red zones !

[@euanscotland]

Id like to point out that the police are unlikely to attend a house breaking, never mind chasing people flying drones. . i say take your chances , enjoy your drone wherever is safe to do so.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Can I draw your attention to this video please: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILFnKmOa5WCrNE

[@jamesmoore9414]

1979 law? Not many drones around then

[@composedlight6850]

the Natonial Trust and English Heritage tried the same --- but they are just using a bullying tactic; signs and demands. What you cant do is take off and land on the land in thier ownership and not a public right of way.

[@jonathanlaue3460]

I don’t envy the poor citizens of the UK with such a pedantic, autocratic government.

[@penelopepitstop7748]

It’s because of what they don’t want you to see… Ppl have been educated/brainwashed about history and the wrong person could discover stuff that would send the narrative crashing to the ground. I also remember a new car graveyard of all the cars that hadn’t been sold covering miles of land being discovered by satellite - it was subsequently blurred out.

[@WindsweptRobert]

Where is this graveyard? I'll go there and film it with my drone :)

[@penelopepitstop7748]

@@WindsweptRobert Sometimes the algorithms bring me stuff that I have no prior knowledge of and I watch mesmerised that I didn’t know anything about. It was years ago when I was awakening from my stupor and realising the world that I was really living in. I only remember it was about what Google earth hides from us, sent me for days and weeks searching the seas mainly for hidden tracks on the sea floor. All I remember is as soon as the public saw it and commented - it was blurred out.Nobody ever wonders about the unsold cars and what happens to them. In order to keep the price up they are simply parked up and left to rot and the government subsidies the car manufacturer. I only remember it being miles of land covered in unpurchased cars. It’s despicable the amount of land used and the sheer waste. While they pressure motorists to get new cars because of emissions or some other bs reasons when there are new cars rotting. These are the type of things that the government doesn’t want us to see. Apologies for no further info ☹️

[@WindsweptRobert]

Well, in that case, it's just a cool story :(. Pity.

[@CoherentChimp]

I detest KZbinrs who do not get on with explaining what the title of their video says. "It's simple" If its so simple then all that is needed is a simple explanation. But you couldn't do it could you?

[@WindsweptRobert]

If you want a short (and probably inaccurate) explanation, go ask some moron on fb. If you want to know the actual law, watch my video. Of course, you'd need more than the attention span of a goldfish and that doesn't sound like you.

[@CoherentChimp]

@@WindsweptRobert YOU stated near the start that it was simple and straightforward, and that is how you would be dealing with it. Don't complain when someone critices you for NOT keeping it short and simple.

[@WindsweptRobert]

It IS short and simple. Probably too complicated for YOU to follow though

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

It’s simple but some people don’t have a lot of patience (or ability) so need the relevant sections hightailed.