Glensanda
GLENSANDA: Private airstrip (No doubt helicopter operations too)
Note: This three pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Glensanda Quarry (Foster-Yeoman)
Location: On the east coast of Kingairloch, on the west side of Loch Linnhe, 10nm NNW of Oban
Period of operation: 1984 (?) to -
Runway: 10/28 350 grass/gravel
NOTES: I have Karel Adams who is a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for drawing my attention to this airstrip. Which, in many ways is quite unique.
Some research reveal that the quarry site, for granite, was purchased by Foster-Yeoman in 1982 and operations started in 1986. As the quarries are not accessible by road from elsewhere in Scotland, it seems reasonable to suppose that this airstrip was laid out at some point between these two dates? Not least for the air ambulance service, but possibly also for urgently needed spares and of course for visits by senior management - although they would probably arrive by helicopter?
A 350 metre strip is quite adequate for use by Britten-Norman Islanders, and also just within limits for a Twin Otter? For other types such as the Cessna Caravan it is too short.
The quarries are claimed to be the largest shore based examples in the UK, possibly much further afield? Around 200 people are employed on the site and a private ferry is used, sailing to and from Port Appin, some 6nm to the east on the mainland. In 2006 Foster-Yeoman was acquired by the Swiss group Holcim, and the facility has a port suitable for use by ocean-going self-discharging ships, of which the company has its own fleet.
PART OF THE ANSWER
In May 2022 I was kindly contacted by Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', who had found proof that this strip was indeed once being used by an Islander. This was the Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander G-AYYW, (ex D-IOLA), and was registered to Foster-Yeoman from 08.11.84 until 29.03.90.
So, perhaps we will one day discover what other fixed-wing aircraft have used the site since 1990?
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