Locheport
LOCHEPORT: Temporary landing site
Location: At the eastern end of the B894 on the south of Loch Euphort, on the mid-southern side of North Uist
NOTES: The geography of the west coast of Scotland and the Western Isles is amongst the most complex and difficult to navigate around to be found anywhere in the world. We really must hold the early pioneers of the airline and air ambulance services in the highest regard, especially considering the often inclement if not ferocious weather conditions found in these parts of the United Kingdom.
Once again I’ll quote from Iain Hutchison’s Air Ambulance book regarding what I’d regard as another epic flight in early 1933 by Jimmy Orrell, a pilot with the newly formed Midland and Scottish Air Ferries at RENFREW. Flying the DH Dragon G-ACCZ. “This came on 22nd May while Jimmy was taking passengers on joy rides at an air pageant at Renfrew Aerodrome.
A MISSION OF MERCY
Dr Macleod of Lochmaddy, North Uist, had read the newspaper account of the flight from Islay. (This was on the 14th May 1933 - my note). Malcom Gillies, a minister from the island was terminally ill in a Glasgow hospital and was desperate to spend his remaining days at home on North Uist. His condition was such that he would be unlikely to survive a land and sea journey, but what about an aeroplane?
The resourceful Dr Macleod soon had it all arranged and Orrell took off from RENFREW in the same de Havilland Dragon aircraft that had been used on the dash to Islay. One hour 40 minutes later he landed on a field near Locheport. The flight signalled the first air ambulance to the Outer Hebrides and demonstrated the scope for aerial evacuation from hospital as well as to hospital.”
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
