Scotland’s Supersonic Attraction.

A NUMBER of aeroplanes have been renowned as the monarchs of the Skies. These have invariably been such military aircraft as the Fokker, Spitfire, the legendary Mosquito or the Lancaster heavy bomber, There is also the extremely agile Harrier. Only one commercial airliner has been awarded this honorific and that is the glamourous Concorde. Her epic story is told in the Scottish Museum of Flight near North Berwick.

The Scottish Museum of Flight hosts the Concorde Experience, Scotland’s new supersonic attraction. The country’s own Concorde, 6-BOAA travelled to the former RAF airfield at East Fortune, not by air but rather by road and sea. She is now housed as a major exhibit in the museum.

Visitors are able to discover the full romantic story of this stylish aircraft from the race for a civilian airliner to break through the Sound Barrier to the dau when Scotland’s own Concorde arrived at its new home. They can learn more about the highs and lows in the saga of Concorde, including that fatal crash in Paris, the complete refit that followed it and the eventually retirement of the aging fleet.

The Concorde Boarding Pass allows visitors to experience the life of celebrities and step on board that airliner that offered the ultimate in luxurious travel. The pass enables them to follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous and upgrade their experience by having a tour around the aircraft.

Visitors can see where royalty, politicians and rock stars have sipped their champagne while travelling faster than the speed of sound. They will discover what it must have been like to either travel or even just work on the world’s most glamourous airliner.

These tours take about half an hour to complete and start at 15 minute intervals. Visitors are given an audio handset to guide them through the passenger areas where they can inspect the interior and they will see some of the airliner’s original furnishings and decor.

Visitors are able to look into the flight deck and study the array of instruments that were used to take the aircraft to speeds beyond 1,350mph.

Prior booking is essential for this tour and the Boarding Pass booking line is on 0870 421 4229.

Opening times at the Scottish Museum of Flight, including the Concorde Experience are 10:00 to 17:00 daily from March until October and 11:00 to 16:00 at weekends only between November and March.

The Scottish Museum of Flight also stages an exciting programme of related and musical events throughout the year.

East Fortune can be reached by following the A1 south from Edinburgh to the Abbotsview Junction. Take the second exit and follow the A199 for one mile before turning onto the B1347. The route from Berwick is north along the A1 to the Thistly Cross Roundabout. Take the second exit for East Linton and travel to the Beltonford Roundabout. Again take the second exit onto the A199 for about six miles before turning right onto the B1347.

There are regular bus and rail services between Edinburgh and North Berwick with an express bus service from Edinburgh to Haddington. More public transport information on the Scottish Museum of Flight and about group bookings can be made on 01620 880 308.