The details of a forgotten air show that took place outside Glasgow within a decade of the Wright Brothers' historic first-controlled flight have been uncovered in a new book by a local author.
Best-selling history writer and retired journalist Robert Jeffrey has lifted the lid on Scotland's first ever air show, which took place back in 1910 at the long since defunct Lanark Racecourse.
Upwards of a quarter of a million gathered at the horse-racing circuit to witness a mesmerising aerial display the likes had never been seen before in Scotland.
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The pioneering display featured 17 "stringbag" aircraft constructed from wood and fabric that one-by-one took to the skies above Lanark, drawing gasps from the gathered masses as they swooped and puttered overhead.
Many of the early flying machines were even transported in by steam train, thanks to the proximity of the Caledonian Railway Company's station that had been built for easy access to the racecourse, which closed due to financial difficulties in 1977.
The thrilling spectacle, which went on for several days, was all the more extraordinary being that it came only a decade or so after the death of inventor and pioneer aviator Percy Pilcher, who lost his life in an attempt to achieve the world's first powered flight in 1899.
The story of the historic Lanark air show forms part of Robert Jeffrey's latest book, Scotland's Wings, which explores the fascinating history of the nation’s often overlooked advancements in aviation down the generations.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, Robert Jeffrey said the air show organisers had selected the perfect site to hold the history-making event.
He said: "It was just a year after Bleriot's flight in 1909 that crossed the channel. There had been early air shows in England - including the one that killed Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce fame, but this is believed to have been Scotland's first.
"The idea of having an air show at Lanark racecourse was very good because you've got long straight grass runways that are ideal for early aircraft, and you have grandstands where people can sit and watch.
"It was quite a big affair, there was 17 aircraft took part. It seems incredible. In fact, some of them arrived by train, as there was a rail station handy for the racecourse crowds. You had everything there."
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In the book, Robert adds: "In another wee bit of aviation history Lanark was the first time when planes were accurately timed over a mile-long course allowing world records to be set, including awards for both speed and altitude.
"There were no fatalities and the aviation press (yes, there was such a thing even then) hailed the meeting as a great success.
"One wonders what King William I (died 1214) who reputedly founded the course would have thought of the happenings in the skies above Lanark that week in 1910."
Scotland's Wings (Black and White Publishing) by Robert Jeffrey is released on September 15. You can pre-order copies here.
As he details the records of flight in Scotland, Jeffrey charts the risks, victories and disasters undertaken by pilots, engineers and heroes of Scottish aviation. People who put aside their careers, relationships and in some cases even their lives to continue the advancement of modern air flight.
Robert Jeffrey is a long-serving Glasgow journalist and the former managing editor of the Herald group of newspapers. His many best-sellers include Glasgow's Hard Men, Glasgow's Godfather and Gentle Johnny Ramensky.
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