The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Restricted the use of drones and other unmanned aircraft near Murrayfield Stadium during a public event on 28 August 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft within a specific radius of Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, on 28 August 2026.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,600 feet above mean sea level between 15:00 and 22:30 UTC, unless they have obtained explicit permission from Police Scotland.
The Secretary of State issued this order to protect public safety during a scheduled large-scale gathering.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restriction is necessary in the public interest due to an intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Explanatory Note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document cites article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the legal basis for exercising these powers to restrict flight.
Arguments Against
Recreational and commercial drone operators may cite the lack of specific details regarding the event in the document as a limitation on their planned activities in the Edinburgh area.
Legal analysts might note that the regulations grant Police Scotland discretionary power to permit flights, which could be perceived as lacking a standardized application process for affected operators.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 28th August 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations for legal referencing.
It sets the date the rules become legally active as 28 August 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This section defines the time standard used for the flying restrictions.
It clarifies that all listed times are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which the document notes is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1500 hours and ending with 2230 hours on 28th August 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,600 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile whose centre is at 555632N 0031428W.
- (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Police Scotland Aviation Safety and Security Unit.
This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,600 feet within a one-nautical-mile radius of a specific coordinate at Murrayfield Stadium.
The ban is active from 15:00 to 22:30 UTC on 28 August 2026.
Operators may only fly within this restricted zone if they receive prior authorization from the Police Scotland Aviation Safety and Security Unit.
Related
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026
Activated legal provisions requiring enhanced background checks for supervised staff working with children starting September 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Melcombe Bingham) Regulations 2026
Restricted flight operations in the vicinity of Melcombe Bingham for national defence purposes on 26 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Daresbury, Cheshire) Regulations 2026
Restricted the use of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Daresbury, Cheshire, during the 2026 Creamfields Music Festival.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Little Gransden Airshow) Regulations 2026
Restricted flight operations within a 3-nautical-mile radius of Little Gransden Aerodrome on 30 August 2026.
Read More