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Paragliding
The best way to enjoy paragliding during a trip to Scotland is to book a tandem flight. With
someone else at the controls you can relax and enjoy the stunning bird's eye views. If
weather forecasts are poor, remember to call your operator on the day of the activity,
before travelling, to ensure the activity is going ahead.
visitscotland.com/adventure
Adventure Advice...
What you need
to know...
Where can I do it?
Head to the Isle of Arran,
where there are dozens of
sites that offer flying
opportunities whatever the
wind direction. Another
popular spot is on Tinto Hill,
near Biggar in Lanarkshire.
For dramatic Highlands
scenery, head to Nevis Range,
Scotland's highest ski area.
And in the east there are good
options at Hillend near
Edinburgh, the Lomond Hills in
Fife and along the Angus coast
further north. Further
information can be found at
www.shpf.co.uk (Scottish
Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Federation) or
www.bhpa.co.uk (British Hang
Gliding and Paragliding
Association).
Why should I?
If you've ever looked up at the
birds and wondered about the
fun and views that they have,
then paragliding is for you.
This relatively accessible
activity is about as close to
flying as you'll ever get.
How much?
A tandem flight or funday intro
(including BHPA membership)
costs around �95. For the five-
day elementary pilot's course
you would expect to pay about
�500 for tuition. Minimum age
for tandems is 14 with
parental consent.
visitscotland.com/adventure
W
ho hasn't dreamed of flying as
free as a bird? For adventurers
looking for a huge sense of
freedom in the skies, paragliding is
definitely the way to go.
And the activity is such a simple
pleasure. Having found a suitable hill, the
paraglider needs only to climb to a windy
spot, carrying their canopy-shaped `wing'
in a backpack. Laying out the canopy on a
gentle slope, the next step is to wait for
the wind to gently lift the paraglider into
the air. Once airborne the thrills of riding
thermals are truly addictive.
Perhaps you'll soar for miles on
smooth coastal breezes, or hover above a
ridge in stable air. Or maybe you'll circle
upwards in the thermals to the base of
the clouds, and then slowly back down
again. This sport is as exhilarating as you
can imagine and offers amazing views of
the Scottish landscape.
Paragliding is surprisingly accessible to
adult holidaymakers. New-comers should
book a tandem flight first, allowing an
expert to take the controls. Or else you
can join a taster day session, which are
available at a number of Scottish Schools
registered with the British Hang Gliding
and Paragliding Association
(www.bhpa.co.uk).
Newbie fliers, rather like young birds,
will learn the basic techniques of
paragliding on short, low-level flights,
before progressing higher up the slopes.
To become master of your own
paraglider, it is necessary, for safety
reasons, to take a five-day course in solo
elementary piloting, during which time
you'll learn the art of take-off, steering
and landing during small flights. Many
people book this course as part of a week
or fortnight-long holiday.
To truly make the most of the freedom
of solo paragliding, you'll need to take a
further 6 to 10-day course to achieve a
club pilot licence. Then imagine how
much you'll enjoy the freedom to fly
whenever you fancy (when the weather
allows) � just as if you really are a bird.
Note: check with Scottish paragliding
clubs/schools at www.shpf.co.uk to find
relevant airspace restrictions or
agreements with landowners.
AIR
Paragliding at Carlingheugh Bay, Seaton, near Arbroath
Pic:MurrayHay/www.pbm-photo.biz
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