Prestwick Airport Walking Tour: A Detailed History from 1913 to Present
5.0
54 Ratings
Monkton

Discover Prestwick Airport’s rich history from 1913 to today on our exclusive walking tour. Uncover stories of aviation legends and historic events.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Prestwick Airport - The tour will cover several viewing areas where key areas of the airfield can be seen. We will stop at 4 locations on the route to tell the relevant history attached to each location. The tour will cover the history of the airfield from 1913 to the present day & will amaze you as to the very varied & rich history that the airfield has.

From the visits by early biplanes to the set early the training school, and the rapid growth of the airfield in World War 2. We’ll talk you through the onset of transatlantic passenger travel, first by the early propeller airliners and then the jet age airliners. We’ll share the amazing plans that the founder, David McIntyre proposed & the political posturing of various UK Governments concerning Prestwick’s future as well as taking you through the difficult years that nearly led to the airport’s closure.. We’ll share the story of the airport’s rejuvenation & bring you up to date with the present day military, civilian, & space-age activities!

What's Included
  • Loan of umbrellas for rainy weather
  • Tea and coffee
Additional Information

We are the only walking tour that tells the fantastic story of Prestwick Airfield & the only time you will hear a detailed history of the events that shaped the airfield from 1913 until the present day. You can read books on the airport but many of these are now out of print so we ensure that the legacy of these books & their authors, will live on as well as ensuring that the legacy & vision of the airport’s founders, David McIntyre and Douglas Douglas-Hamilton also lives on.

As well as telling the story of the actual airport itself, we will take you through the history of Scottish Aviation Ltd, a company that trained pilots & navigators, converted, maintained and serviced numerous types of aircraft and even built it’s own (and other companies’ ) designs.

Prestwick has been home to the US Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as the RAF & the Royal Navy. And it was Elvis Presley’s only visit to the UK! Have we convinced you to join us? Check out our reviews to date.

Location
Monkton Community Church
Main Street
Please join as at The Pioneer Cafe within the Monkton Community Church where we will offer you a refreshment prior to the tour briefing and setting off.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(54 Ratings)
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Archie1232014
Apr 29, 2024
Prestwick Airport Walking Tour - Allan gave us a great insight to the past and present story of Prestwick Airport. His relaxed and friendly approach made it a really enjoyable day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colindy6993xu
Apr 22, 2024
Very enjoyable tour - I didn't know what to expect, but really enjoyed this. Allan is a great source of local information and full of interesting stories about the airfield and local area. Recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aimstewart07
Apr 22, 2024
Great tour! - A very interesting and informative tour! Despite being local, we discovered that we actually knew very little about our local landmark. Alan’s friendly, informal style and anecdotes made for a really nice afternoon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruz700
Apr 21, 2024
Well worth doing - What a great trip, Allan was very friendly and knowledgeable , would highly recommend if you are visiting or even local to the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arthurmm5749dv
Apr 15, 2024
Prestwick Airport Walking tour - Prestwick Airport is predominantly viewed through the perspective of the passenger terminal but this extremely interesting and informative walking tour revealed the history, current diverse activities and the modern vibrant aviation engineering industry which is centred on the Prestwick site. Alan Mackintosh was an excellent guide whose passion and knowledge of Prestwick Airport's history and its current diverse activities made this an extremely enjoyable tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skatexplorer
Apr 14, 2024
Fascinating (factual) story! - Allan was an excellent guide, very well researched and happy to answer any questions. He told us all about the airfield from inception, through it's colourful history to what it is today. I hadn't realised just how early it had forged a role in aviation history or quite how much continues to operate out of here to this day. Spoiler alert - commercial passenger activity is just a tiny part of it! I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in aviation or the importance of the airport to the local area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gar1969
Apr 14, 2024
Well worth going on - Had an enjoyable walk with Alan around various sites on Prestwick Airports periphery. Alan knew his subject well and I learned of a few aviation incidents that I was not aware of. Well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johanht9220ed
Apr 6, 2024
Lovely day out - Last minute booking after seeing it in the newspaper. Didn't know what to expect. Lovely afternoon out. We always try to do something unusual during school holidays.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
860stuartm
Apr 2, 2024
Utterly facinating and intriguing ..... - Utterly Facinating 2hrs Worth of the History behind the Airport....A Must do for anyone with either an interest of History and Or Aviation .....Brilliantly Delivered by Allan with just the right amount of information and Stories of the past ....Highy entertaing and intriguing of Days gone Past ...Well Well Worth your time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hannah
Mar 31, 2024
A great afternoon out! - A brilliant insight into the history of this local landmark - Allan’s knowledge of the story of Monkton Meadows and its journey to the Prestwick airport we know today is fabulous and delivered with a variety of changes of scene. Fantastic to have others on the tour with current insight into the operations too - Thanks Fin & Don! Would definitely recommend this if you are in any way interested in Ayrshire history or aviation! Look forward to seeing the virtual tour develop too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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