Still an active microlight club and you can still fly into Longside but its strictly PPR. Several pilots out of ABZ do circuit practice there (and coffee!) but heli's get priority.

Without wishing to dampen your enthusiasism to tour, and I know ABZ is expensive, but for a first visit up North it's probably worth going somewhere with a nice tarmac, given the added stress that flying to a new destination as an inexperienced aviator brings.

The weather in the Grampians can be very different to forecast and can change very quickly so keep your options open. On a nice day, the scenery is stunning. If you end up scud dodging it can be most unpleasant.

You can get a FIS frm Leuchars than pick up ABZ approach. If the muck does come in a bit, sticking to the East coast let's you drop down to maintain VFR. You can then turn back to Dundee / Perth if need be.

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