Black Isle 'garden ornament' is just plane crazy!
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ONE of Scotland’s biggest and most unusual cottage garden “ornaments” — a 34ft aircraft — is causing passing drivers at Tore on the Black Isle to do a double-take in disbelief.
Hundreds are slowing down and staring incredulously at the sight of the 36ft wingspan Jet Provost aeroplane parked neatly in the small garden of Linnie Wood Cottage on the A832 Tore to Muir of Ord road.
While many are actually pulling up to take a photograph, others are scratching their heads over how the plane was fitted into the garden in the first place.
The explanation has come from the cottage’s resident, offshore engineer Andrea Dalgetty, whose boyfriend, James Campbell, owns the Highland Aviation Museum at Inverness Airport.
She told the Ross-shire Journal: “James bought the plane from Bruntingthorpe Aircraft Museum in Leicestershire to add to the collection at his museum, but he has still to find room for it among the other exhibits.
“My garden was really the only place for it as there was also no room for it at his home in Kirkhill near Beauly. It came north on a 45ft lorry straight up to my front garden.
“The wings had been taken off and they were replaced after it was positioned in the garden. Now, just about every vehicle that passes along the roadway slows down and some even drive into the garden for a better look!
“I know most people are happy with just a garden gnome or two — but this really is an eye-catcher. All my friends’ kids have been round to see it and think it’s absolutely amazing.”
The 3.5-ton aircraft XW 419 was last flown at RAF Cosford in Shropshire where it was based from 1992 until 2002.
James says it will go to the museum when it is restored and a crane will be needed to move the other exhibits about to fit the Jet Provost in.
He is appealing for any volunteers who are aviation enthusiasts and want to get involved in the project to get in touch at 01667 460361.
