09 – Port Laing Naval Air Station

By 1906 the evolution of the submarine, which could sneak undetected through a minefield, rendered the Submarine Mining Service obsolete, to be replaced by the emerging technology of the aeroplane.

In 1912, the first Royal Naval Air Station in Scotland was opened at Port Laing.

Aerial observers could spot the wake of a submarine, even when submerged.

The station moved to Dundee in 1914 when the mud proved too sticky.

Hangars on Port Laing beach.

Striking workers from Rosyth Dockyard came to see the flying, and helped to pull an aeroplane ashore

You can read more about the history of Port Laing Naval Air Station, and the exploits of the flyers during WWI HERE.