B29 Superfortress crash site from Strachur
Date: 22 August 2026
Leader: Mike
Grade: B
Number on walk: 17
Length: 16.8 km. Ascent: 545 m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk
Our walk started from the parking area near Succothmore farm, where we followed a forest track to cross the Cab Liogan River
The first 9km of forestry tracks made for relaxed walking and chat
We had our coffee break at a junction in the track with some convenient pipes for seating
After negotiating a short section of boggy forest, we emerged into this lovely glen, where we had a leisurely lunch
We stopped for a photo before heading into the Glen and more bog, towards the crash site
Above the Glen, we followed the fence below Stob na Boine Druim Fhinn. From here our more usual approach across the hillside can be seen
A large amount of wreckage remains at the crash site with many recognisable components including engines, undercarriage and the tail gunner’s turret.
On 17 January 1949, two Boeing B-29 Superfortresses left RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, for Smoky Hill Air Force Base in the United States. The crews were reportedly on leave after supporting the Berlin Airlift. En route to refuel at Keflavik, Iceland, the aircraft encountered worsening weather over Strathclyde, with falling temperatures, cloud, and severe icing. One B-29 turned back to Scampton, but the other continued and, at 09:50, struck Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn. All twenty passengers and crew were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. A later inquiry could not identify the exact cause but found that bad weather and icing contributed to the crash.
The memorial cairn and plaque at the crash site listing the twenty airman who perished
In keeping with the sombre mood of the setting, a member of our group read John Gillespie Magee’s poem “High Flight”. (Click for a copy of the poem)