Funding for Scotland's Drone Project

Argyll and Bute Council confirms £170,000 UK Government Community Renewal funding for a drone hub.

02:40 31 January 2022

Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that plans for a drone hub in Scotland have taken a major step forward following UK Government funding. The £170,000 funding will see the development of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Innovation logistics hub at Oban Airport. 

 

The scheme builds on Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal proposal, which includes plans for a vertiport take-off and landing facility at the airport. 

 

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council: “This new investment is extremely welcome news for Argyll and Bute and will deliver a significant boost to the region’s economic prospects. It takes us a step closer to establishing the UAV logistics hub which would see the area become a centre of excellence for this highly innovative use of drone technology and would lead to the creation of much-needed highly skilled jobs.

 

“Alongside the benefits for the local economy and employment, the use of this ground-breaking technology would be extremely valuable in terms of the lifeline the hub’s services would provide for our remote and rural island residents.”

 

Alex Brown, Director of Drone Services, Skyports: “In 2021 we transported COVID-19 tests, pathology samples and medicine up to 50 miles between NHS medical facilities in the Argyll and Bute. Alongside the flight trials, we have been working with Oban Airport to look at how permanent drone operations can service the highlands and islands. Having a dedicated drone hub would create skilled employment and bring further investment to the area. We’re incredibly excited about this project and look forward to working closely with Argyll and Bute Council and the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership to make Argyll and Bute the leading region in the UK for Advanced Air Mobility”’