Pilot accused of flying low over National Wallace Monument

A man has appeared in court accused of piloting an unregistered aircraft less than 500ft (152m) above the National Wallace Monument in Stirling.

William Anderson is also accused of recklessly flying an unregistered aircraft at about 20ft (6m) above Culross Pier, Fife; flying over a footpath with adults and children nearby; and flying parallel to a railway line at head height.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between August 2023 and May 2024.

Anderson, 66, of Bo'ness, made no plea and the case was continued to 28 July at Stirling Sheriff Court.

He is also accused of recklessly flying an unregistered aircraft at less than 500ft over an oil tanker on the Firth of Forth.

Prosecutors also allege Anderson flew in Edinburgh Airport's controlled airspace without clearance; performed an unauthorised landing and take-off at Linlithgow Golf Club; landed a microlight on a public road in front of a moving vehicle before taking off again; and crashed a microlight into power lines.

He is also accused of being in command of a Denney Kitfox single-engined aircraft and a Pegasus Quantum 15 microlight at Linlithgow Golf Course, without certificates of airworthiness in force for them, and acting as flight crew without a licence.

Solicitor Alastair Ross, defending, asked for a debate to be set to determine the admissibility of some video evidence.

Sheriff Keith O'Mahony continued the case for legal debate, and continued Anderson's bail.