A Scottish farmer and Conservative councillor has repurposed a £25,000 Hawker 700 aircraft into a one-of-a-kind holiday retreat, offering a luxurious flying experience nestled in the Scottish countryside, sparking a growing trend in aircraft accommodation.
Iain Gall, a farmer and Conservative councillor from Scotland, has turned a unique vision into reality by converting a £25,000 Hawker 700 aircraft—purchased from eBay—into quirky accommodation for couples at his Glenskinno Farm in Montrose, Angus. The plane, which once shuttled a Russian tycoon between Moscow and the Caribbean, offers holidaymakers a chance to experience the lavish charm of a private jet, albeit nestled in a field.
After acquiring the aircraft in 2022, Gall had the Hawker 700 transported from Yorkshire to his farm, embarking on an extensive renovation to make it fit for guests. Now more than 40 years old, the aircraft has been reimagined into a self-catering retreat featuring a double bed in the cockpit and original flight seats. With plans to price stays at approximately £150 per night, Gall expects to welcome his first guests in the summer, pending the council’s approval for a short-term let licence.
Gall expressed his excitement, stating, “We have already had a huge amount of interest on our Facebook page,” and noted that the concept was designed to stand out in the crowded market of holiday pods. He is particularly pleased with the response from aviation enthusiasts and former pilots who have reached out to him, eager to learn more about the aircraft’s transformation. “It will definitely be something memorable for couples or kids to come with a parent if they love planes,” he added, highlighting the distinctive experience offered by overnight stays in a private jet.
The Hawker 700 has an intriguing history and appears to have been a focal point of fascination before Gall’s renovations. It was previously featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, where it was notably refurbished. Alongside the bedroom, the aircraft now includes a bar, kitchen area, and an ensuite room. This inventive approach shows the growing trend of transforming decommissioned aircraft into unique lodgings, similar to other notable conversions worldwide.
For instance, at Mains Farm Wigwams in Scotland, a decommissioned Sea King helicopter has been transformed into a stylish cabin that comfortably accommodates five guests, complete with a kitchen and living area. Elsewhere, globally renowned conversions, such as the Jumbo Stay hostel located in a decommissioned Boeing 747 in Stockholm, have also captured the imagination of travellers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences. Alongside Gall’s venture, these conversions reflect a broader trend wherein retired aircraft are being given new life as distinctive accommodations, attracting adventurers and aviation enthusiasts alike.
As Gall prepares to open his freshly refurbished jet for bookings, he is optimistic about the appeal of this novel offering. “It’s a bit different and a wee bit of fun,” he remarked, positioning his aircraft as a destination not just for accommodation but as a unique adventure that combines nostalgia and whimsy.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scots-farmerconverts-25k-aircraft-bought-35335232 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-offer-holiday-makers-28589944 – Angus councillor Iain Gall purchased a Hawker 700 aircraft for £25,000 on eBay, previously owned by a Russian tycoon who used it for flights between Moscow and the Caribbean. After transporting it to Glenskinno Farm in Montrose, Scotland, Gall converted the 40-year-old jet into a self-catering accommodation featuring a double bed in the cockpit and original flight seats. Priced at approximately £150 per night, he plans to welcome guests in the summer of 2023, awaiting council approval for the short-term let licence.
- https://newatlas.com/helicopter-glamping-sea-king/50864/ – Martyn and Louise Steedman transformed a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury cabin for five guests. Located at Mains Farm Wigwams in Scotland, the seven-meter-long Sea King ZA127 features a double bed, single bed in the tail, living area, kitchen, bathroom, and private cockpit lounge. Original flight deck components, including the dashboard and foot pedals, have been retained. The conversion cost approximately £40,000, and the accommodation is available for overnight and weekend stays, with prices starting from £150 per night.
- https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/183395/highflyers-cool-converted-aircraft-that-are-now-amazing-homes – This article showcases unique converted aircraft accommodations, including a 1982 Westland Lynx helicopter in Lancashire, UK. The helicopter has been transformed into a tiny home featuring a living area, kitchenette, sink, double bed, mini fridge, microwave, plinth heater, TV, and LED lighting. The former cockpit serves as a meal prep area, offering fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. The tail of the helicopter provides a custom-made sleeping space for up to two people, adding to the authentic glamping experience.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumbo_Stay – Jumbo Stay is a hostel and hotel located inside a decommissioned Boeing 747-200 aircraft at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden. Officially opened in January 2009, it has 33 rooms and 76 beds. The aircraft, built for Singapore Airlines in 1976, was later operated by Pan American World Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Garuda Indonesia, and others. The hotel offers unique accommodations, including the cockpit suite, and has been a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts and travellers seeking a distinctive lodging experience.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/see-5-retired-aircraft-that-have-been-converted-into-hotels-2022-10 – This article highlights five retired aircraft converted into hotels, including Hotel Costa Verde in Quepos, Costa Rica. The hotel features a Boeing 727 aircraft perched 50 feet above the ground, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The interior has been transformed into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite with air conditioning, queen-sized beds, and private bathrooms. The jet’s owner, Allan Templeton, incorporated tropical hardwood inside the fuselage and left the original cabin windows in place, offering guests a unique and memorable stay.
- https://www.aircharterservice.com/aircraft-guide/private/hawkerbeechcraftcorp-usa/hawkerbeechcraft700 – The Hawker 700 is a midsize private jet introduced in 1977 by Hawker Beechcraft. It features a stand-up cabin, comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, and a small galley. Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-3RH turbofan engines, each producing 3,720 pounds of thrust, the aircraft can fly non-stop for up to 2,000 nautical miles. The cabin measures approximately 21 feet in length, six feet in width, and nearly six feet in height, providing ample space for passengers and luggage.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was first reported in October 2022, with the most recent coverage in June 2025. The Daily Record’s article from June 2025 provides updated information, including the aircraft’s transformation into a self-catering retreat and plans to welcome guests in the summer, pending council approval. The earlier reports from October 2022 mention plans to welcome guests from the spring of 2023, indicating a delay in the project’s timeline. The Daily Record’s article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([dailyrecord.co.uk](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-offer-holiday-makers-28589944?utm_source=openai)) ([thecourier.co.uk](https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/4383103/angus-private-jet-glamping/?utm_source=openai)) ([dailyrecord.co.uk](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-offer-holiday-makers-28589944?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quotes from Iain Gall in the Daily Record’s June 2025 article are similar to those in the October 2022 reports, with slight variations in wording. For example, in the June 2025 article, Gall states, “We have already had a huge amount of interest on our Facebook page,” while in the October 2022 article, he says, “I know everybody is always looking for something special and people love posting pictures of something unusual or quirky on social media.” These variations suggest the quotes have been reused with minor adjustments. ([dailyrecord.co.uk](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-offer-holiday-makers-28589944?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Record, a reputable Scottish newspaper. However, the article includes information from earlier reports by The Courier and the Daily Record, which were published in October 2022. The inclusion of older material raises questions about the originality of the content. ([thecourier.co.uk](https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/4383103/angus-private-jet-glamping/?utm_source=openai)) ([dailyrecord.co.uk](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-farmer-offer-holiday-makers-28589944?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible scenario of a farmer converting a decommissioned aircraft into a unique accommodation. Similar projects have been undertaken elsewhere, such as the conversion of a Sea King helicopter into a cabin at Mains Farm Wigwams in Scotland. The inclusion of these examples supports the plausibility of the project. ([thecourier.co.uk](https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/4383103/angus-private-jet-glamping/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible and original project of converting a decommissioned aircraft into a unique accommodation. However, the inclusion of older material and reused quotes raises questions about the freshness and originality of the content. The Daily Record’s article provides updated information, but the reliance on earlier reports suggests a need for further verification.
