King's Seat Hill Spitfires

26/02/2026

Today we remember the survivor, Vin Daly on the anniversary of his passing. Vin’s name could so easily have been engraved onto the memorial wall in Grangemouth, alongside Bud Reynolds and Gordie Duda. Two things prevented that. Firstly, Vin saw the hill looming ahead and reacted instantly. Secondly, he possessed an unyielding determination to survive. It was a truly remarkable feat of endurance and will.

22/02/2026

I was contacted a while back by a YouTuber who asked for permission to use material from King’s Seat Hill Spitfires to make a video.
I said ‘yes’ as it would spread the story to a wider audience and keep the memory alive. I’m really pleased with the final product.

I hope I have retold the story of this sad tragedy with both sensitivity and accuracy. I must especially thank Lt Col Brian Cuthbert - Imrie for allowing me ...

16/01/2026

Unfortunately Raymond and I could not visit the cairn today, the 83rd anniversary of the accident. However, we both managed to pay our respects to Bud and Gordie at Grandsable.

22/06/2025

Here are the ‘what3words’ for the cairn,
///affords.gathering.extension. Just download the app and use it. Much more practical than a 10 figure grid reference.

26/02/2025

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Warrant Officer Vin Daly’s passing. He volunteered for pilot training in Australia, gained his wings in South Africa and travelled to Scotland to learn to fly the Spitfire. To have done this and survive the crash onto King’s Seat Hill is testament to a young man, full of drive and ambition, coupled with the strongest will to live. A truly remarkable man. Vin is on the right.

16/01/2025

A dram at the end of the day.

16/01/2025

Today was the annual visit to the Cairn to remember the two pilots who died, Bud & Gordie, and the survivor, Vin, from the triple Spitfire crash on 16 January 1943. We also had the bonus of a fly over by David Wells in his autogyro. The weather was bright, dry but very windy. Nothing like the weather on 16 January 1943. It’s so changeable at this time of year, we had to turn back in 2023 due to heavy snow! We also popped round to Grandsable cemetery to pay our respects to Bud & Gordie. Thank you Raymond and Andy for your company. Lest we forget.

12/09/2024

15 years today, a group of like minded people gathered on King’s Seat Hill for the Spitfire Cairn dedication service. Can’t believe how fast 15 years has gone! I visited the Cairn today and was happy to see that our earlier protective work has knitted really well, and has survived the pesky sheep.

19/05/2024

Just returned from the Cairn after an overnight stay. The lettering has been refreshed and our main effort of trying to protect the foundation has been accomplished. Thanks to the Team. Some before and after photos.

05/04/2024

I received an email today from OS and I can confirm that the Spitfire Memorial Cairn has been logged for addition to their maps the next time the area is revised. The downside is that it could take 3-5 years for paper, however, the OS Mastermap is updated every 6 weeks.

26/02/2024

27 February 2024 is the 55th anniversary of the passing of Sgt Vincent ‘Vin’ Patrick Daly RAAF, the survivor of the triple Spitfire crash on 16 January 1943. The following words are from his statement to the Court of Inquiry which sat on 22 January 1943, “….I climbed from the wreckage and crawled to Sgt Duda’s aircraft and found him dead and
F/O Reynold’s aircraft was in flames and too far away for me to reach. I endeavoured to crawl down the mountain and was eventually discovered by a shepherd 48 hours after the crash.” What he didn’t mention was that his injuries included, a compound fracture to his right tibia, lacerations to his face, scalp and body, double pneumonia and frostbite. His leg was in plaster for 18 months, as the tibia took a protracted time to ‘knit’ together due to complications. Truly an amazing feat of determination, stamina and a will to survive by an extraordinary gentleman.

This photograph of Vin Daly was taken at RAF Grangemouth on the morning of the accident, note the snow in the background. It was taken by his good friend, and fellow student on the Spitfire conversion course, Gordie Duda.