Originally Posted by
Scottish Flyer
The BAA did not sell off and close Runway 21/03. They did sell off some land well beyond the end of 21 which became a retail park and effectively precluded further extension of the runway. During the latter years of the BAA's ownership the active length was reduced to almost half to save on maintenance costs. It was never closed as at the time of the shortening the BAe Flying College was making intensive use of the runway. After the BAA sold the airport, the runway was restored to its full length.
It was closed before the Flying College opened in late '87, as it was all part of the Freeport Scotland farce. The land went to Lynton, a BAA property company
Later the first third was re-activated at cost as it was discovered that AS-202s with student PPLs on board were being challenged with 30 kts crosswinds on too many days.
But it *was* withdrawn from use at one point and was allowed to deteriorate. I walked across it with my dad back in the late 80s before they reopened it, it was in a real mess with many weeds and holes.