I'm torn on this one.
We all have to learn and only by pushing our own boundaries will we progress. This guy, by all accounts, is still relatively inexperienced and he was making a fairly long X country flight in unfamilier airspace - but, there has to be a first time.
His judgement must be questioned and perhaps so does his training. The NPPL isn't or shouldn't be seen as some easy ticket. Unfortunately, the standard of airmanship exhibited by the pilot here does not inspire confidence.
As Air police correctly points out, the most obviuos and direct track from Walney Island would route well to the west of Dundee. I don't know the actual track but there is anecdotal information relating to conflict with EDI approach and his crossing of the Forth. Whether this was through, to the east or west of the Edinburgh CTR has not been established, however, the best track would have avoided it completely.
The pilot mentions a diversion due to poor weather. If we give him the benefit of the doubt, this may have taken him East towards Dundee and let's suppose he was trying to return to his original planned track when his fuel state became an issue. However, I just can't understand how he got to where he ended up without considering, as he was passing with Perth on the port wing and Dundee to starboard, whether he had enough fuel to get him over the mountains to Kinloss - or for that matter, almost twice the distance, around the coast.
Simple maths pre flight and ATA compated with ETA would indicate if his endurance expectations were within limits or not. A quick stop for fuel may take an extra half hour but serve as a useful break for such any pilot, novice or not. Get theritis strikes again!
Opportunities came and went. FREDA checks were probably repeated by rote without thought. Navigation and radio work perhaps filled the pilots mind whilst his aeroplane gradually ran out of fuel - or is this man going to claim unexplained engine failure?
A grand day out very nearly became his last. The fact is that guys like this pose a greater danger to themselves than others but it does the rest of us a disservice when anyone, inadequatley prepared, takes to the air and has an accident. There are some very bright people who are just not cut out as pilots that's why aptitude testing can be so useful. We all know folk like this man and we shouldn't ignore their inadequacies as pilots nor seek to have them banned. Educate them. Fly with them. Spend time helping them. share your experiences and they will grow as pilots.