Over 200 Historic Environment Scotland sites to offer ‘Once in a lifetime’ drone flights

London & Edinburgh, UK:  The childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, Stirling Castle, is one of over 200 sites across Scotland which will be introducing a new and revolutionary ‘request to fly’ platform which will give thousands of drone pilots the unique opportunity to apply to conduct ‘once in a lifetime’ flights from some of the country’s most famous landmarks.

Up until now, drone operators have had to file a request to take off and land at one of Historic Environment Scotland’s properties – which alongside Stirling Castle include Edinburgh Castle, Blackness Castle, and Doune Castle via the Historic Environment Scotland website.

However, as drone use has increased as the technology has become more accessible and affordable, so has the number of requests to fly at these famous and picturesque sites in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.  As such, the ability to manage and approve flights has outgrown the current system.

Using the new platform from Altitude Angel, drone operators can submit requests to fly at some of the world’s most famous castles, cathedrals and stately homes via the UK’s most popular drone flight planning app, Drone Assist, or via dronesafetymap.com. Historic Environment Scotland can then approve, decline, or offer alternative flight times, depending on the venue, its opening times, and events taking place on the ground.

Applications for the first tranche of sites, which include Tantallon Castle, Caerlaverock Castle and Huntly Castle are now being accepted with further sites due to come online in future phases.

Paul Spence, Historic Environment Scotland, Senior Filming and Photography Manager, said: “The ability to manage the use of drones around the properties in our trust, giving operators a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to film in historic and famous locations and landmarks, is something we’re very proud to be leading on. By offering this platform to drone pilots interested in filming at our sites, we’re able to preserve our existing user experience whilst offering the chance to capture unique perspectives on Scotland’s historic sites.

“Filming with drone offers a unique opportunity to appreciate and capture our sites from a whole new point of view. When revealed from above, it becomes even more apparent the work that went into creating these properties and how magnificent some of the shapes and designs of the properties in our care really are.”

Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Enabling drone flights at sites and venues across Scotland, including the iconic Stirling and Edinburgh Castles, through Approval Services is a huge milestone for both Altitude Angel and drone operators in the UK.

“Scotland is blessed with some of the world’s most beautiful and iconic buildings and scenery.  To be able to capture on film these sites, with the blessing of those trusted to manage them, at a time and from a place which is beneficial to all, is something we’re immensely proud to have helped bring about.”