Causewayhead
CAUSEWAYHEAD and KING'S PARK: Early powered flight testing sites
(Note: Erroneously attributed by some as being the site of the first Scottish powered flight location. That being at BLAIR ATHOLL in 1908 used by J.W. Dunne. Indeed, it appears that none of the very first flying experiments conducted by the Barnwell brothers at KING'S PARK actually left the ground.)
Operated by: Archibald, Frank & Harold Barnwell of the Grampian Engineering & Motor Co
Locations: Initial tests at KING'S PARK which is just west of Stirling, the CAUSEWAY HEAD location is roughly 1nm NNE of Stirling city centre
Period of operation: 1909 to 1911
NOTES: The Barnwell brothers, (for some reason Archibald seems to have dropped out), are said to have made many significant developments in aviation history and they both went on to become really quite famous as aircraft designers. More research reveals Frank Barnwell became a Chief Designer for the Bristol Aeroplane Co and Harold Barnwell was involved with design and flight-testing for Vickers.
Note: This picture by C F Andrews was scanned from British Aviation - The Pioneering Years, by Harald Penrose, first published in 1967.
Their first “flight”, in July 1909, from CAUSEWAYHEAD, which was more of a long hop really - and covered 80 metres. Resulting in a crash landing.
By 1911 they had a monoplane design which had flown a mile, (see other claims below in the 'Gallery'), gaining the J R K Law Prize for the first flight over half a mile conducted in January that year. For some reason they moved to BLAIR DRUMMOND for a couple of months before going to LANARK which was, since the enormous success of the ‘Meeting’ in August 1910, really was the centre for aviation in Scotland.
Bizarrely it would appear both brothers died in separate flying accidents and both in machines of their own design. It appears Harold died whilst flight-testing the Vickers FB.26 from JOYCE GREEN (KENT) on the 25th August 1917, and Frank in his own Barnwell BSW.1 at WHITCHURCH (SOMERSET) on the 2nd August 1938.
A memorial to their first Scottish flight achievement was unveiled on the 27th April 2005 at CAUSEWAYHEAD.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Here once again we have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for both investigating what is available for illustrating this listing, including captioning the maps and aerial photos. For the sake of clarity I have divided these into two sections.
KING'S PARK
These three pictures are from the Stirling Achives.
The text in two parts are from the Stirling Archives.
LATER INFORMATION
In June 2026 Mike discovered this article published in the Stirling Observer on the 20th September 1921. This concerns the Aerial Photos Ltd company sending one of their Avro 504Ks to KING'S PARK in September 1921. The initial dates were from the 15th to the 19th but it was so successful it appears a return visit was promised within a week.
In 1919 it appears that the Aerial Photos Ltd company purchased six Avro 504Ks but as far as I can ascertain only one of four of these aircraft was used for this venture. Those being: G-EAGB (ex H5173), G-EAGC (ex H5172) and G-EAHU (ex E1611). The fourth possibility was G-EALE, and that was previously registered as G-EAGD (ex D5499), possibly when registered to the London & Provincial Aviation Company? This was seriously damaged and rebuilt in 1919 and in those days, after a major re-build, an aircraft was given a new registration.
CAUSEWAYHEAD
The local view is from my Google Earth© derived database.
The article was published in the Kirkintilloch Gazette on the 30th July 1909. The local area view is from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES:
May I please add a few comments. When I started this project over twenty-five years ago, (in 2025), I thought I knew a thing or two about our aviation history - and I was quite correct. I did indeed know a thing or two - but nothing more! Over the years producing this 'Guide' has been a revelation, which of course is still ongoing. I have added this picture to illustrate just how many flying sites have been listed in this area, most of which I had no idea about when starting out - and - not all the flying sites listed are 'pinned' in the database.
What is so important to say, is that I am indebted to so many kind and generous people who have volunteered their time and knowledge to make this 'Guide' what it has become. Am told it now stands alone as the most comprehensive 'Guide' to flying sites in the UK. Obviously hoping that the UK stays intact!
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
