East Lothian's National Museum of Flight celebrates 50 years

Charlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune <i>(Image: National Museums Scotland)</i>
Charlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune (Image: National Museums Scotland)
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The National Museum of Flight is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Located at East Fortune, the museum tells the story of flight and Scotland’s aviation heritage from a former wartime airbase.

To mark its golden jubilee, the museum is offering a special summer programme of events.


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Charlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune, East LothianCharlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite, and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune, East Lothian (Image: Supplied)

Steve McLean, general manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: "This is a hugely exciting milestone for the National Museum of Flight.

"For five decades, we’ve been telling the story of flight in Scotland and beyond, inspiring visitors through our iconic aircraft, fascinating interpretation and displays, and our unique location.

"As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re proud to look back on our remarkable history and delighted to offer a summer of engaging events that will entertain and inspire our visitors about the science and story of flight."

The museum opened on July 7, 1975, following the donation of a Supermarine Spitfire to the Royal Scottish Museum in 1971.

Unable to display the aircraft in Edinburgh, the museum stored it in a hangar at the former RAF base in East Fortune.

More donations followed, including a Hawker Sea Hawk from RNAS Lossiemouth, leading to the creation of the museum.

Over the past 50 years, the museum’s collection has grown into a world-class display of civil and military aviation.

Charlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite, and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune, East Lothian (Image: Supplied)

Highlights include an Avro Vulcan bomber and an RAF Red Arrows Hawk T. 1A, which took part in the 1999 flypast over Edinburgh to mark the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

The museum’s most famous exhibit is Scotland’s Concorde, which arrived in 2004 after a 16-day journey by land and sea from Heathrow Airport.

It now forms the centrepiece of a special exhibition on supersonic flight.

In recent years, the museum has invested in major developments, transforming two former Second World War buildings into the Fortunes of War and Fantastic Flight galleries.

In 2016, two wartime hangars were restored and redeveloped to house an expanded collection of aircraft, complete with interactive displays and films.

Conservation work completed in 2024 has also opened up the site’s blast and air raid shelters for public exploration.


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Charlie Calder, Sebastian Sheppard, Walker Kelly, Murdo Waite, and Ingrid Jamieson from Athelstaneford Primary mark the National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary at East Fortune, East Lothian (Image: Supplied)

This summer, the museum is offering a packed programme of activities, including its family-friendly 360 Fest on September 6.

The event will feature mountain bike stunt shows, pedal-powered activities, circular circus workshops, and STEM-themed sessions.

Visitors can also enjoy lunchtime talks on the Second World War by the assistant curator of aviation, Ian Brown.

Topics will include the Enigma machine, the RAF’s food production efforts, and the wartime bombing of Haddington.

Families can borrow a Second World War satchel filled with items that offer a glimpse into RAF life during the conflict.

They can also try their hand at code-breaking in the museum’s Second World War Puzzle Room.

The National Museum of Flight is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Adult tickets start from £14.50, with free entry for National Museums Scotland members.

A 15 per cent discount is available for family bookings.

Tickets can be booked online via the National Museums Scotland website. 

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance.

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