Hi from Aberdeen!
I got into drones from the DIY side. I made a small drone and I would like to test it outdoor but it is difficult to find a suitable place in north-east Scotland. The local airport makes most of the area a no-fly zone, and the regulations for the countryside make it difficult for drone flying. Is there anyone in the community who is used to fly in Scotland and could give me some tips about where to go? (preferably around the north-east)
Thanks!
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Hi @Leodymium and welcome to Grey Arrows 
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Hi @Leodymium Lionel and welcome to GADC
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Welcome @Leodymium from the North Riding
Not sure what regs you are concerned about, but I’m tagging @group-scotland as reach out for our members up there, who can offer more local advice
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Hi Lionel 
Welcome to GADC 
Also worth tagging in @group-fpv who might be well placed to answer on the self-built side.
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@leodynium I live and only fly in Scotland, what countryside regs are you referring to?
Surly with Scotland’s right to roam policy there would be plenty of areas to fly.
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Correct!
I only fly in Scotland…so far, and don’t know what regs he means.
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Hi Lionel @Leodymium - welcome to GADC
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Hi @Leodymium, Welcome to GADC. I’m in Nairn. I’m not aware of any issues either. There are plenty of places you can roam. Have a look on Dronescene at the places marked where other members have flown. In the countryside, you obviously can’t walk across a field that has been sown, or fly over one that has livestock in it, but you can TOAL from the roadside above fields. The landowner does not own the airspace above their land. There is a big NOTAM in place now over a large section of the east the coast valid until the 27th Aug. I’d try heading north or inland a bit.
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Isn’t that just a warning
Summary
EX STORM WARRIOR 26. MIL ACFT WILL CONDUCT HIGH ENERGY MANOEUVRES WI AREA BOUNDED BY 574800N 0002400E - 544500N 0025700E - 542300N 0024500E - 533000N 0030000E - 531600N 0030000E - 532000N 0023000E - 531200N 0023000E - 530900N 0020600E - 532200N 0000400E - 534300N 0000800W - 544200N 0011400W - 550100N 0013000W - 550300N 0014100W - 550600N 0013800W - 552600N 0023700W - 553800N 0025100W - 560000N 0024900W - 560700N 0025600W - 560700N 0033000W - 561400N 0033200W - 562400N 0031500W - 571600N 0021000W - 574800N 0002400E (NORTH SEA IN VCY OF EGD513 AND EGD514). ACFT MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH RAC. FOR INFO [01526 346340](tel:01526 346340) / [01526 346023](tel:01526 346023). AR-2026-4032/01.
Altitude
Between Surface and Unlimited.
Navigation Warning
This NOTAM is a navigation warning. Always check the latest information and comply with UK regulations and permissions before flight.
Active Now
Starts: 2026-08-11 19:30 UTC • Ends: 2026-08-27 12:00 UTC (Active Daily 11-14 19:30–23:30, 18-27 08:00–12:00 UTC)
Full NOTAM Text
A) EGXX B) 202608111930 (UTC) C) 202608271200 (UTC) E) EX STORM WARRIOR 26. MIL ACFT WILL CONDUCT HIGH ENERGY MANOEUVRES WI AREA BOUNDED BY 574800N 0002400E - 544500N 0025700E - 542300N 0024500E - 533000N 0030000E - 531600N 0030000E - 532000N 0023000E - 531200N 0023000E - 530900N 0020600E - 532200N 0000400E - 534300N 0000800W - 544200N 0011400W - 550100N 0013000W - 550300N 0014100W - 550600N 0013800W - 552600N 0023700W - 553800N 0025100W - 560000N 0024900W - 560700N 0025600W - 560700N 0033000W - 561400N 0033200W - 562400N 0031500W - 571600N 0021000W - 574800N 0002400E (NORTH SEA IN VCY OF EGD513 AND EGD514). ACFT MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH RAC. FOR INFO [01526 346340](tel:01526 346340) / [01526 346023](tel:01526 346023). AR-2026-4032/01. LOWER: Surface UPPER: Unlimited
NOTAM ID
NATS/EGGN/H2513/26
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Yes it does say it’s a Notam warning. I suppose I always read that as ‘steer clear / stay away’, at least during the hours they mention. I don’t know enough about it … do you need to get permission or notify someone to fly in that situation?
Unless you’re flying out to sea 
But give them a call
Do you just mean the required distances from people/buildings? Is it that your drone is over 250g so you’re looking for somewhere at least 50m from industrial/recreational/commercial/residential areas?
Also:
Mind that Class D airspace means nothing to us (unless you’ve done something mad like build yourself a 21kg beast) - you’re fine to just turn that layer off on DroneScene if you haven’t already, and then this imposing chunk of red:
Shrinks to this:
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hi @Leodymium and welcome to GADC
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Hi @Leodymium and welcome to the GADC site
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Hi Leo
I live in Scotland and have been flying all over (except the obvious no fly zones) and have only once been questioned, as there was a bird breeding area nearby.
There are vast open areas here if you want to improve your skills!
Quite often people will approach you but it is to learn about the hobby, never had aggro.
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