Scotland Tigers-6: Aberdeen to Plocton

[nbrich1 117]

                Scotland Tigers-6: UK Scotland: Aberdeen (Dyce) (EGPD) to Plockton (EG29)

(For Wednesday May 15, 2024)

 
Aberdeen (Dyce), Scotland:

                             
Today we bring out the old bi-planes once again to continue this low and slow UK-journey- Scotland Tigers-Part 6 takes us from the city of Aberdeen on the east coast of to the village of Plockton on the west coast. For half of this journey we will travel northward via the east coast then over the top along the north shore of the Scottish mainland to RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Kinloss and onto the city of Inverness.  Inverness is the 13th largest city in Scotland with a population of @ 64,000.

From Inverness we will head southwest following the route of some famous Lochs and at Lock Linnhe we’ll head almost due west to the hamlet of Glenfinnan which hosts the Glenfinnan railway viaduct as seen in the world of “Harry Potter”. The viaduct was built from 1897 to 1901 and is located just north of the top of Loch Shiel in the West Scottish Highlands. The viaduct overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the Glenfinnan Station Museum to which well will fly over.

From Glenfinnan we’ll continue westward along the A830, nicknamed the: “Road to the Isles”.  The “Road to the Isles” is far more than just a scenic drive. This stunningly beautiful 43-mile route is a voyage through wild landscapes and undulating Highland heights before reaching the coast, in pursuit of the most heavenly white sand beaches.

The A830 road brings together a series of truly iconic and breathtakingly bonnie destinations, so regardless of which you choose as your base, the others are all comfortingly close and yours to discover. This is a place to slow down, explore freely, and indulge in all the good stuff: fresh air, stunning views, and delicious food. The area has significant connections to the real-life history of the Jacobites and the fantasy world of Harry Potter.

Road to the Isles is popular for good reason, but if you time it just right, you can avoid the crowds, relish the peace, and ‘coorie in’ after a refreshing day outdoors. Some roads aren’t just for driving, and this is one of them. This road connects to the west coast of the Scottish mainland and ends at the coastal town of Mallaig with connections to ferries/ports to the Small Isles and the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. (That might be our UK-Tigers 7 expedition).

From Mallaig we continue northward to Loch Hourm and onto Lock Aish. At Lock Aish we’ll deviate east for a moment to see the Eliean Donan castle then head back west along the A57 road finally ending our journey at Plockton (EG29). This is a slightly rural trip but has dramatic points of interest and is a very interesting scenic flight.  

This part 6 of the Scotland Tigers totals 233 nm departing Aberdeen (Dyce) Airport (EGPD) with six stopover landings: Longside Airfield (EGQG), Whitehills Airport (EG30), RAF Lossiemouth AB (EGQS), RAF Kinloss AB (EQQK), Inverness (EGPE) and Fort Augustus Airstrip (EGVZ) then destination airport of Plockton Airfield (EG29).
This is another “low and slow expedition” using our favorite bi-plan! We won’t have too much time for doddling if we want to reach our destination. Time permitting; we’ll make our destination but no worries as there will definitely be a part seven of the Scotland Tigers (someday), so that we can continue this trek exploring the country of Scotland.

Flight Plan/Itinerary LINK:  HERE

Aircraft:
The faster Stearman or similar aircraft that can maintain 120-130 kts or similar will fit the bill. I will plan to use the fairings Stearman in one of the stock liveries for this trip. The Stearman is a faster than the Ants Tiger Moth dh.82 or Bucker but feel to use your choice of aircraft.

Add-on Scenery: Flightsim.to: Freeware:
EGPD-Aberdeen-Dyce-Airport-v1.7-Scotflight: https://flightsim.to/file/50356/egpd-aberdeen-dyce-airport (by Scotflight)
EGQS-RAF-Lossiemouth-v2.8-nickb007: https://flightsim.to/file/27378/raf-lossiemouth-egqs (by nickb007)
EGQK-RAF-Kinloss-v1.5-nickb007: https://flightsim.to/file/28371/raf-kinloss (by nickb007)
EGPE-Inverness-Airport-v1.6-Scotflight: https://flightsim.to/file/40967/egpe-inverness-airport (by Scotflight)
EG29-Plockton-Airstrip-v1.1-RobAirYT: https://flightsim.to/file/18951/plockton-airstrip-eg29-scotland (by RobAirYT)
EGVZ-Fort-Augustus-Airfield-v1.2.0-TheGarner: https://github.com/TheGarner/FortAugustus-Airfield (by TheGarner)
Scotland-Kessock-Bridge-v1.0-ROANsky: https://flightsim.to/file/55718/kessock-bridge (by ROANsky)
The-Mystery-of-Loch-Ness-v1.0-kaosfere:  https://flightsim.to/file/4776/the-mystery-of-loch-ness (by kaosfere)
Loch-Ness-Surprises-v1.0-goldorag: https://flightsim.to/file/11192/loch-ness-surprises (by goldorag)
(Depending on timing we just might see a Nessie but no guarantees on this one!!)

A pre-assembled scenery package with above pieces can be temporarily found here: LINK: HERE (zip-541 mb) (expands to 1.90 gb).

Note: Following are required object libraries: (for some objects or addition of ai traffic, animals. people. These area not included in the pre-assembled scenery dl package but are required.
https://flightsim.to/file/33166/animated-humans-library (by superspud)
https://flightsim.to/file/6841/dave-s-3d-animals-library (by BadMed)
https://flightsim.to/file/43395/ethnicfs-cars-library (by ethnicfs)
https://flightsim.to/file/56846/ipdc-scenery-objects-library (by Amarillon)
https://flightsim.to/file/68151/moving-vehicle-simobject-library (by superspud)
https://flightsim.to/file/14024/windy-things (by trfsto)
https://flightsim.to/file/24130/uk-emergency-models-library (by DoggonePuppy223)
UK 2000 common Library free from the Microsoft marketplace is required to see items misc items at EGQS.

NOTAM2:  Payware:
1-There is a Payware version of Aberdeen EGPD by Aurascenery. There is EU Great Britain North (Landmarks) by Orbx as well as the Glenfinnan-Hogwarts-express-train by jeppeson2001 (All are additional eye candy). Please feel free to use if you have but not necessary to go purchase for this trip.

Time and Weather
Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds Jeff 1 or Josh presets or the stock “few” or “high clouds” presets might make a nice choice.  For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1400 local.  Hope you enjoy this scenic flight in the highlands of Scotland..

Plockton Airfield EG29

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 - 1900 UTC, (1400 Eastern)
AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm  - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: EAST-USA Server
If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked: HERE). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Edited May 10 by nbrich1