The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Airshow could be ‘V&A moment’
KIRKCALDY: International event could attract thousands
Kirkcaldy is pitching for its own “V&A moment” as it bids to secure next year’s Scottish International Airshow.
Tens of thousands of plane enthusiasts from across the world could descend on the town for the one-day extravaganza sometime between June and September if organisers can reach an agreement with Fife Council.
Kirkcaldy’s mile-long Esplanade is considered an ideal viewing platform from which to watch fast jets such as the Red Arrows, as well as classic and vintage planes.
The event has been held in Ayr since the closure of the Leuchars Airshow in 2013, generating millions for its local economy.
While Fife Council would be expected to shell out for a stake in the show, director Doug McLean said: “For every £1 South Ayrshire invests, they get about £26 back into the local economy.”
Fife Council co-leader David Alexander said: “This could be a V&A moment for Kirkcaldy.”
Kirkcaldy is on the verge of securing next year’s Scottish International Airshow.
Tens of thousands of plane enthusiasts could descend on the town, generating millions for the local economy, if an agreement can be secured between organisers and Fife Council.
The town’s mile-long esplanade is said to be an ideal viewing platform from which to watch fast jets such as the Red Arrows, as well as classic and vintage bombers.
It is one of three locations under consideration but both airshow director Doug McLean and Fife Council are positive the Lang Toun can clinch the iconic event.
Council co-leader David Alexander said it could even turn into an annual extravaganza and added: “This could be a V&A moment for Kirkcaldy.”
Despite the fact the town does not have its own airport, Mr McLean said Kirkcaldy was a genuinely impressive place to run an airshow.
“The aeroplanes would travel from different places, some even coming from bases in England,” he said.
“We’d be looking to base some at Glenrothes airfield and probably also Dundee and Edinburgh.
“They would arrive, do their display over the Forth then go off and land again.
“Kirkcaldy is known as the Lang Toun with that huge promenade and a lovely long, straight bay which would make a great viewing platform.”
The show has been held in Ayrshire since the closure of the Leuchars Airshow in 2013, attracting 160,000 visitors over two days from as far afield as Hawaii, Australia and across Europe, as well as the UK.
As Ayr prepares for a larger event in 2020, a gap in the schedule means organisers are looking for an alternative venue for next year.
“The intention is to provide a really interesting airshow,” said Mr McLean.
“We would have a mix of aerobatics, classic aircraft and hopefully some fast noisy jets which always impress the crowds.”
He said he had been very impressed by the way organisers had been received by councillors and council officers. “They have seen the benefits,” he said. Mr Alexander said Fife Council would probably have to commit £100,000 to the event but that the financial benefits would far exceed the investment.
“We look very positively on things that can put money into our town centres and this ticks all the boxes,” he said.
“The input to the local economy would probably run into millions.”
The SNP councillor added: “The reason Kirkcaldy is so high up on the list is the prom is so long.
“This has to be a goer. It has to happen. It’s an iconic event and it could be enormous.”