Scotland's Haunted Montrose Airfield

There is an old military airfield in Angus, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Aonghas, Alba). On 26 February 1913, Montrose Air Station became the first operational military aerodrome to be established in Scotland. It closed permanently for operations on 4 June 1952, but is now the site of Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. This is a registered Scottish charitable organisation run by the Ian McIntosh Memorial Trust which has a collection of contemporary photographs, artefacts and memorabilia. It gives a history of the airfield and also the story of the men and women who served there and those who lived in the area. 

During its early days the aerodrome was used  as a pilot training facility and was the site of many fatal flying accidents. Over the years the aerodrome has gained the reputation of being haunted and has been described as possibly one of the most haunted places in Scotland. One of its most famous ghosts is said to be that of Lt Desmond Arthur who was killed in a flying accident on 27 May 1913, his spirit is said to have haunted the officers’ mess. Since then there have been many other unexplained sightings of apparitions in pilots’ uniforms and phantom planes.

Recently the local newspaper for the area The Courier had an article with the title 'Biography of tragic airman behind Angus ghost which has haunted history for 107 years' and reported that a biography - 'Lieutenant Desmond Arthur RFC – The Life and Death of an Aviator' - has been written by Barry Dominic Graham. It tells the story of Desmond Arthur, who was born in Ireland and became Scotland’s first aircraft accident fatality. As well as giving information on the life of Desmond Arthur, the author also wanted to try and raise awareness and funds for the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.

The stories of haunting at the old airfield continue with reports of strange footsteps, apparitions in First World War flying gear and the sound of a phantom plane flying overhead. The last  such experience was in 2018 when a figure appeared in front of a young volunteer at the Centre. Desmond Arthur is buried at Sleepyhillock cemetery in Montrose and Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre volunteers continue to maintain his grave.

Image above: B.E.2 aircraft

Image below: Lt Desmond Arthur courtesy of Angus & The Mearns newspaper The Courier.