Broadford

57°15'10"N 005°49'30"W

Runway: 07/25 - 771x23meters/ca.2600feet - asphalt

Broadford airfield (also known as Isle of Skye Aerodrome or Ashaig airfield) is a small airfield 215 kilometers northwest of Edinburgh.
The airfield was built by the Royal Engineers between 1969 and 1971 and opened in 1972. The airfield was used for a daily service to Glasgow from April 1972 until 1988. No commercial services have existed since then and the airfield is usually deserted.
In 1980 the airport was used as a filming location for the opening scene of the movie Flash Gordon. In recent years the airfield has been used for storage of large wind turbine components. Between 2005 and 2007 the airfield hosted the Isle of Skye Music Festival.


A Bo-105 helicopter operating at the airstrip near Broadford on Isle of Skye, September 1981 (Geograph.org.uk), © Copyright Michael Westley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.


Because of its low usage, Broadford is also available for non-aviation events. In 2007 the Isle of Skye Music Festival took up residence at the airfield for a few days. This was taken at the end of the Skye Music Festival when most of the festival go-ers were leaving (UKGA.com).

Currently the airfield is maintained and operated by the Highland Council, TEC Services. Although it is unlicensed and unmanned, the airfield is open 24/7 to all suitable aircraft. The airport is occasionally used by NHS Highland and the Scottish Ambulance Service for transferring patients to hospitals in Inverness or Glasgow. It also seems to be a somewhat popular landing spot for people who wish to take their aircraft to non-mainstream airfields.
Alan Steward from Essex for instance, took his Europa-912 G-BWFX to Broadford four times. In September 2012 the airfield even saw two aircraft (G-JONL and G-BLTK) land and depart on a single day.


Runway 07 as shot in 2007 (Geograph.org.uk)  © Copyright Michael Westley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.


Runway 25 as shot in 2007 (Geograph.org.uk) © Copyright Michael Westley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.