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KOI destination photo
EDI destination photo

KOIEDI

Which side of the plane to sit from Kirkwall Airport (Kirkwall) to Edinburgh Airport (Edinburgh)?

Our Recommendation
8.5

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers a superior panorama of the rugged Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms National Park, and provides a front-row seat to the iconic Forth Bridges and Edinburgh's historic skyline on the final approach.

Right Side Highlights
8.5
⚓

Western Scapa Flow

Views of the islands of Hoy and Flotta, with the dramatic cliffs of the Orkney coastline fading behind.

🏔️

Cairngorms National Park

Breathtaking views of Britain's largest mountain range, featuring Ben Macdui and high plateau tundras.

🐉

The Great Glen

On clear days, you can see the geological fault line containing Loch Ness stretching toward the west.

🌉

Forth Bridges

The UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge (rail) and the modern Queensferry Crossing are perfectly framed during descent.

🏰

Edinburgh Castle

A stunning view of the city's volcanic crags and the medieval castle as the plane maneuvers for landing.

The right side is best for mountain scenery. Sunset flights offer spectacular golden hour views over the Highlands. On the final approach into EDI, the plane often circles over the bridges, and the right side typically gets the most direct view of the airport's surrounding landscape and the city center.

Left Side Highlights
7.8
🌊

Scapa Flow

A vast natural harbor used as a primary naval base in both World Wars, visible immediately after departure.

🗼

Duncansby Head

The most northeasterly point of the British mainland, famous for its dramatic sea stacks and lighthouse.

🏖️

Moray Coastline

Sweeping views of the sandy beaches near Lossiemouth and the fishing villages of the North Sea coast.

⛳

St Andrews

The 'Home of Golf' is often visible as you cross over the Kingdom of Fife towards the Firth of Forth.

🪨

Bass Rock

A massive volcanic rock in the Firth of Forth, home to one of the world's largest colonies of Northern gannets.

Sit on the left for better morning light as the sun rises over the North Sea. This side is ideal if you want to spot coastal features like the Bell Rock Lighthouse or the university town of St Andrews. During late summer, keep an eye out for dolphins or whales in the Moray Firth.

Top Activities in Edinburgh
Route Information

Distance: 336 km (209 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 34 min

Departure: KOI (58.957801818847656, -2.9049999713897705)

Arrival: EDI (55.95000076293945, -3.372499942779541)

Route Type: Domestic

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