Broadford Airfield

Isle of Skye (Broadford) Airfield (also known as Ashaig Airstrip or Broadford Aerodrome) is a small airfield on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, with a single runway. It is next to the hamlet of Ashaig, near the village of Broadford.

Broadford Airfield
Runway at Broadford Airfield
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorHighland Council
LocationAshaig, Broadford, Isle of Skye
Elevation AMSL24 ft / 7 m
Coordinates57°15′13″N 05°49′27″W
Map
SKL
Location on Skye
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
07/25 793 2,602 Asphalt

History

The airport was constructed by the Corps of Royal Engineers and opened in 1972 to serve as a gateway to the Isle of Skye. Loganair operated a scheduled service from the airfield to Glasgow from 1972. However this service was discontinued in 1988.

No commercial services have existed since then, and the airfield is usually deserted. The airport is occasionally used by NHS Highland and the Scottish Ambulance Service for transferring patients to hospitals in Inverness or Glasgow.[1]

In 1980 the airport was used as a filming location for the opening scene of Flash Gordon.[2]

In recent years the airfield has been used for storage of large wind turbine components. It is also used for land sailing activities.[3]

Music festival

Between 2005 and 2007 the airfield hosted the Isle of Skye Music Festival.

In March 2012, it hosted the Celtic Connections Big Top, part of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Artists performing at this two-day event included Rosanne Cash, The Civil Wars, Raul Malo, Mànran and Niteworks. This was the first time Celtic Connections has held an event outwith Glasgow.[4]

References
  1. "Potential use of Skye's Ashaig airstrip re-examined". BBC News. BBC. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  2. McKenzie, Steven (10 September 2013). "Flash Gordon: Actor Sam J Jones on the Skye connection". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  3. "Speed Kart Xtreme - Kart Land Sailing". Things to see and do. VisitScotland. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  4. Wilson, Sue (26 March 2012). "Folk review: Celtic Connections Big Top, Skye Broadford Airfield". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 March 2012.


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