Friday marked the 70^th anniversary of the first schedule commercial flight in Scotland which flew between Glasgow and Campbeltown and one of the original passengers from the inaugural flight joined the celebrations with Loganair and HIAL.

Mrs Catherine Morrison was 17 years old and travelling with her future husband Dan in 1933 when the newspaper and passenger flight operated by Midland & Scottish started flying on the route. The 87-year-old returned to Campbeltown Airport on Friday to see the air link celebrate its 70^th birthday.

Mrs Morrison, from Campbeltown, met the Loganair crew from the DH6 Twin Otter aircraft that now flies on the Glasgow route and staff from Highlands and Islands Airports, who now manage Campbeltown Airport, to celebrate the occasion.

She was accompanied by her cousin Maria Gibbons, whose parents Alf and Morag Grumoli also flew on the debut flight in 1933, and was presented with a bottle of Campbeltown malt whisky specially provided for the occasion, complete with one-off commemorative label, by locally-based Springbank Distillery.

Speaking at Campbeltown Airport, Mrs Morrison said: "Dan and I and my aunt and uncle flew on the plane in 1933 for the princely sum of £8, which was a lot then. The four of us sat in the tiny cabin with the pilot sitting in the open cockpit and we landed in a local farmer’s field because there was no airstrip at that time.

"It was the first time we had flown and it was a real novelty and probably the first time that a lot of people in the area had seen a plane. My uncle was quite a character and was always doing different things which was why we ended up on the plane in the first place. We certainly had no fear of flying as it was all new to us.

"Over the years I have flown quite a bit and I am very happy to see that the Campbeltown to Glasgow flights are going strong after 70 years," she added.

Commenting on the aviation milestone, Ivor Robertson customer service manager at Loganair said: "While the operator may have changed, I am delighted to say that Loganair is keeping the tradition of the Glasgow to Campbeltown air service alive and we are very pleased that Mrs Morrison, one of the original passengers, has been able to join us to mark the occasion today. Today marks a very significant occasion, not only the anniversary of Scotland’s first commercial air service but also 70 years of flying on the route – a considerable achievement in the aviation business."

Derrick Lang, HIAL’s station manager at Campbeltown Airport said: "I am very pleased that Mrs Morrison has been able to join us today. Air links at Campbeltown have been playing an important part in the life of the local community for 70 years and what better way to mark this very special occasion than with a locally-produced dram.

"The planes and the airport have changed a lot since 1933 but the commitment to public service remains strong and I am sure that Loganair would join me in saying that all our passengers are VIPs as far as we are concerned here at Campbeltown. We hope to have some vintage aircraft at this year’s Campbeltown Air Show on 16 August to mark the anniversary for all the local community and visitors to the area."

Frank McHardy, distillery manager at Springbank Distillery added: "Important anniversaries are often celebrated with champagne but on this occasion a dram of our Campbeltown malt whisky from the oldest family-owned distillery in Scotland was felt to be far more appropriate given the local flavour of the day."

ENDS