Details last updated:

2020-05-10

Site Owner / Negotiator

LLSC 

Site Contact

Special Rules:

Be aware of the Area of intense gliding activity surrounding Portmoak airfield to the south.

Site History:

Long established site. Home hill for sailplanes operating from nearby Scottish Gliding Centre at  Portmoak.

Altitiude at Launch:

1350 Feet

Height top to bottom:

900 Feet

Airspace:

Portmoak Airfield area of intense gliding activity due south of launch. Edinburgh CTR 7 miles south of launch.

National Grid Reference:

NO177029

Wind Direction:

W-WNW

Brief Site Description:

Superb 4km long west facing ridge. Relaxed soaring interesting ridge running or challenging XC route to the east.  Often very busy with sailplanes. Scottish Gliding Centre weather station

How to get there:

Head for Kinneswood north of Edinburgh. In village turn into Bruce Road and head for the primary school.  Car Park

Restricted Areas:

Edinburgh CTR to south. Glenrothes airfield 4 miles SW. Check you have up to date airspace data on your navigation device if planning to go XC.

Parking Notes:

Large car park near the primary school in Bruce road. Otherwise park on left hand side of the road as you drive up the hill.

Landowners:

CANP

Link to CANP system to notify other aircraft of activity in this area.  

Launch Notes:

From parking spot head up Bruce road when road bends sharply left there is a gate on the right which leads to a well worn track straight up the hill.Aim for a small band of crags and continue up to a level plateau and launch. If there is more N in the wind head north where the ridge starts to bend north west.

XC Tips:

XC is possible to the east but you need to be aware of various airfields. Glenrothes and the MATZ at Leuchars.

Top Landing Notes:

Top landing relatively straightforward due to the huge plateau which extends back for several hundred metres.

Bottom Landing Notes:

Alas the Lomond Inn is no more. Many of the fields which appear suitable for landing are used to grow turf as a crop and should be avoided. If in doubt the constantly available option is the sloping field illustrated below level with the sub station at the bottom of the walk up. However this option is often thermic, is not large, and has variable amounts of annoying vegetation. Not recommended if you are less experienced or not good at accurate landings.

There is usually an easy landing option out beyond the road or to the north of Kinnesswood but this changes through the year depending on how the land is being farmed. Please note that Grass is a crop and used for silage so an empty field is not an invitation to land. If unsure please ask on the Local Flying Telegram Group which is full of helpful people.

Hazards:

Bishop can become quite busy with sailplanes and paragliders. Sailplanes being much faster and more maneuverable should not create a problem.