Why aren’t Coastguard rescue helicopters using Portree’s helipad?
Written by MartyM on 3 September 2026
3 SEPTEMBER 2026
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Why aren’t Coastguard rescue helicopters using Portree’s helipad?
Coastguard rescue helicopters have not used a purpose built helipad in Portree for three years.
The facility continues to be used by other emergency helicopter operators, including the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Former paramedic and health campaigner Neil Campbell says Coastguard helicopters have instead been using alternative landing sites in Portree.
Mr Campbell says it has been difficult to establish what needs to be done for the problem to be fixed.
He says one incident brought the issue into sharp focus.
A local woman suffering a heart attack needed to be flown to Raigmore Hospital, but Mr Campbell says the Coastguard helicopter did not land on the helipad.
Instead, he says, it landed on rough ground near Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh and the patient had to walk across it to reach the aircraft.
He said:
“She had a heart attack which is time critical. So speed is very important to get her into Raigmore to get her treated.”
Mr Campbell says landing on rough ground also requires the pilot to find and assess an appropriate site.
He said:
“You’ve got to find a suitable patch of ground, then the pilot has to assess it, is it hard enough, is it soft enough, is it going to take the weight of the helicopter, is it level enough, is it safe enough?”
He says the alternative King George V playing field is not always available and is not rated for the weight of the Coastguard helicopter.
He argues the purpose built helipad provides a safer and more controlled location for emergency transfers, including at night.
Scottish Ambulance Service helicopter takes off from the Portree helipad
The background
The issue follows concerns raised after an incident involving a Coastguard S-92 helicopter at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in 2023.
Two elderly women were blown over by the helicopter’s downwash as it landed. One of the women died.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch subsequently made recommendations about the safety of helicopter landing sites.
Mr Campbell says the incident led to Coastguard helicopters no longer using helipads such as Portree.
He initially approached HM Coastguard about the situation, before involving local MSP and MP offices.
He says a senior Scottish Government civil servant was then appointed to lead discussions between the organisations involved.
What does Bristow say?
Bristow operates the Coastguard search and rescue helicopters.
The company says safety is its first priority and that it has assessed the Portree helipad.
A spokesperson told Radio Skye:
“Safety of the public and our crews and those we are called on to assist is always our first priority.
“Operations to Helicopter Landing Sites are governed by Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and the Portree helipad is used by a variety of operators. However, following our assessment against the CAA requirements applicable to HM Coastguard Search and Rescue operations, we currently operate to alternative approved landing locations in the area.
“We continue to engage with the parties responsible for the Portree helipad regarding the requirements for its future use.”
Bristow has not specified what changes are required before its helicopters can use the helipad again, or given a timetable for that to happen.
Other use of the helipad
The Scottish Ambulance Service says it considers the Portree helipad suitable for its own operations.
A spokesperson told Radio Skye:
“Both SAS and the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance consider the Portree helipad to be a suitable landing site and can access it as required. It should be noted that each organisation makes its own assessment of a landing site’s suitability based on a range of factors, including weather conditions, equipment and the type of aircraft being used.”
NHS Highland says its Director of Estates has provided professional advice to Portree and Braes Community Trust, which owns the helipad, based on the health board’s experience of managing the helipad at Raigmore.
The health board says it does not manage or operate community helipads.
What is being done?
The Scottish Government says it has helped bring the organisations together to try to resolve the issue.
A spokesperson told Radio Skye:
“The Scottish Government helped facilitate bringing the organisations together to discuss and move forward with developing protocols for Search and Rescue Helicopters using the community helipad. This is a matter for Portree & Braes Community Trust, Bristow and HM Coastguard.”
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said:
“Safety is paramount at helicopter landing sites. Where sites require compliance work, contingency plans will ensure HM Coastguard helicopters can deliver people safely into the appropriate onward medical care.”
A specialist company, GreenDeck Solutions, has prepared a helicopter operations manual for the Community Trust at no charge.
Mr Campbell says the manual is ready to go, and that the company has also offered to return to Portree and carry out another survey free of charge.
Mr Campbell says the situation remains unresolved.
He said:
“Not a single coastguard helicopter has landed on the Portree helipad [in three years]. The difficulty was finding out first of all, that there was a problem. Secondly, what do we have to do?”
For now, Bristow says its helicopters are using alternative approved landing locations in the area while it continues to engage with those responsible for the Portree helipad.
