Deeside Gliding Club - Aberdeenshire Doors Open Days 2026

Deeside Gliding Club enjoys a stunning setting beside the Cairngorms—a picturesque backdrop for silent flight. The club’s history stretches back to the mid-1950s, when gliding first took wing in Aberdeenshire at Inverallochy near Fraserburgh. By the late '50s, activity shifted to Aberdeen Airport, the precursor to today’s international terminal.

In the mid-1960s, the club relocated once more, settling just outside Aboyne, where it’s remained for an impressive 58 years. This enduring base now hosts generations of enthusiasts who soar among the clouds, guided by the thermals that rise from the Dee valley below.

The club is volunteer-run and led, with great community spirit, enabling more experienced members to pass down knowledge of flying, maintenance and instructing, allowing student pilots to be the best they can be – many who have started at Deeside have gone on to join the RAF, commercial airlines and even the Red Arrows!

The club runs year-round and welcomes aspiring pilots, hobbyists and visitors alike.

Over the event weekend visitors will be invited in to tour the club and the Deeside Gliding history exhibition, some glider spotting too if flyable weather!

Event booking in advance for Gliding Simulator Flying (1 ticket per person required, participants must be at least 4ft 10in tall to reach the simulator pedals).

Event times: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm. Sessions last approx. one hour.