WHY
Angus
The perfect drone county
Aberdeen, 40 miles to the North, is a global centre for the subsea industry whose technology is directly transferable from below the surface to the air. Dundee, 35 miles to the south, is home to a leading software industry, which also ensures a pool of transferable skills to the relatively new drone industry. There are five universities within 40 miles of Montrose as well as additional further education colleges.
Montrose has long hosted advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise through its connection with the offshore oil and gas industry, and more recently the offshore wind industry developments taking place off the Angus coast.
The provision of public services to rural communities is challenging and expensive, but the adoption of drone technology will provide safer, greener and more cost-effective alternatives to many of the existing approaches.
The established oil and gas, wind, and agricultural industries are sectors that could benefit significantly from drone operations. Drones are already providing substantial benefits in areas such as surveying and inspection, search and rescue, land management and deliveries.
Historic Montrose
The town of Montrose was host to the first operational military airfield in the UK with the opening of RAF Montrose in 1913.
One of twelve planned air stations operated by the Royal Flying Corps, RAF Montrose served as the base for No. 2 Squadron in its first year and continued to serve British, Canadian and US squadrons until its closure in 1920. Re-opening as the No.8 Service Flying Training School in 1936, the base was then used for both training and mountain rescue operations until its permanent closure in 1952.
The site of the airfield is now home to the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre and is open to the public as a museum exhibiting aircraft, artefacts, photographs and many of the still-standing historic buildings. The centre is run by the Ian McIntosh Memorial Trust, named after one of the local enthusiasts dedicated to ensuring the history of the site was not forgotten.
Get in touch
We’re looking for project supporters and collaborators locally, nationally and from around the world to join us and help make Angus a Centre of Excellence for the Development of Drone Technology.