Rousay
ROUSAY: Temporary aerodrome or regular regional 'airport'? (Aka TRUMLAND FARM)
Note: The map was kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. The second and third pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Just S of the B9064, near and W of Brinian, on the S side of Rousay island
NOTES: I have to thank Mr Michael T Holder for pointing out this site. He found a picture of Capt. E E Fresson captioned as being taken at Point Field, Trumland Farm, Rousay. And - North British Aviation Co. Taken in 1931.
The reason for listing this as ROUSAY, rather than TRUMLAND FARM is simply because this is the only evidence I have found of a flying site on this island.
But, there seems to be something not quite right here. E E Fresson had of course founded Highland Airways, and it seems quite reasonable to suppose he may well have landed here several times. However, North British Aviation, which Fresson was involved with, founded in 1929 and based at HOOTON PARK in CHESHIRE was, it would appear, primarily a 'pleasure flight company'.
However, a bit later on Mike Holder found a picture of Fresson at TRUMLAND FARM with the DH60G Gipsy Moth G-AAWO giving joy-rides. It now appears that TRUMLAND FARM was a fairly regular destination (?) for Aberdeen Airways.
CRASH SITES: WESTNESS HOUSE
This 'Guide' does not include crash sites as a general rule. But obviously some must be included if this 'Guide' is to be worthwhile and comprehensive.
Flying around this area in the 1930s was often demanding in the extreme. Scotland can be regarded as one of most hostile flying areas in the world for regular air services, year round. This incident is included for at least two reasons, not least because Mike Holder has, for this 'Guide' tracked down the accident site.
It appears that the DH84 Dragon II, G-ADCT crashed into the vegetable garden at Westmoor House, (about 3nm W of TRUMLAND FARM), in September1935. Without any doubt the conditions for flying would have been appalling - but - these were exactly the conditions these aviation pioneers were determined to conquest.
But of course, given so much open space around, why choose to land in the vegetable garden? I expect we will never know.
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