Request
Advice on who would be best to contact regarding drone flights. Talking to all of the local authorities and key organisations in our area to try to set up agreements regarding permissions to take off and fly drones.
Response
The foreshore at Aberdeen is not managed by Crown Estate Scotland, so we are unable to grant permissions.
Before April 2017, The Crown Estate presumed ownership of the foreshore (area between mean high water springs (MHWS) and mean low water springs (MLWS); unless a successful claim has been made by or has been transferred by agreement to another party. After April 2017, Crown Estate Scotland (Interim Management) is now managing all the Scotland estates from The Crown Estate; but the same guide applies when it comes to claimed ownership.
The Aberdeen Harbour itself comprises of a mix of successful adverse claim areas and sales, all of which were to Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners. The foreshore to the north side of the harbour, heading northwards to the mouth of the River Don has been verified non-Crown, claimed by Aberdeen Town Council.
Since we don’t own the foreshore in the Aberdeen area, we can’t give such permissions for drone take off and landing.
We wouldn’t have records of who owns it currently. Once an asset is sold or successful ownership claim, we no longer manage or track ownership of that area. You can get that information from Registers of Scotland (www.ros.gov.uk)
Attached is a map of Aberdeen Bay, and the purple areas indicate the area of foreshore that is non-Crown.
