The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 5th Aug 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft near Edinburgh Castle on 6 August 2026.

These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,500 feet above mean sea level in a specified area around Edinburgh Castle on 6 August 2026.

The restriction applies between 18:00 and 21:59 Co-ordinated Universal Time to protect the public during a rehearsal for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Pilots may only fly unmanned aircraft within this zone if they have obtained prior permission from the Police Scotland Aviation Safety and Security Unit.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the gathering of a large number of persons at Edinburgh Castle.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required to ensure public safety and security during the event rehearsal.
The document specifies that the restriction is limited to unmanned aircraft below 1,500 feet above mean sea level, maintaining access for other aviation and permitted flights.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace in central Edinburgh during the specified four-hour window.
The use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) in the regulations may cause confusion for operators using British Summer Time (BST) if the one-hour difference is not properly accounted for.
The effectiveness of the restriction depends on the successful promulgation of a Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) and active enforcement by Police Scotland.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 6th August 2026.

This section establishes the official title of the regulations.

It sets the date the legal restrictions take effect as 6 August 2026.

Interpretation

The times referred to in regulation 3(2) 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 flight restrictions.

It clarifies that the specified hours are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind the local British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-

(a) 555701N 0031147W,
(b) 555658N 0031137W,
(c) 555655N 0031137W,
(d) 555651N 0031149W,
(e) 555649N 0031209W,
(f) 555658N 0031217W, and
(g) 555701N 0031147W.

(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with 1800 hours and end with 2159 hours on 6th August 2026.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Police Scotland Aviation Safety and Security Unit.

This section creates a restricted zone for drones and other unmanned aircraft using specific geographical coordinates near Edinburgh Castle.

It prohibits flights below 1,500 feet altitude between 18:00 and 21:59 UTC on 6 August 2026.

The section also provides an exception for flights that have received explicit authorization from the Police Scotland Aviation Safety and Security Unit.

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