Edinburgh: Nursing home resident, 93, grants her wish to go back to heaven

Betty Buckland, a resident of Care UK’s Lauder Lodge on Wakefield Avenue, Edinburgh, took to the skies and flew at 150mph in a Cessna plane to take in the sights of Scotland.

Ms Buckland, who climbed 2,000 feet above sea level, called the experience “exciting” and said she had a “wonderful day”.

“It was a beautiful day and we had a fantastic view of the Kelpies at Falkirk,” she said.

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“Being on a small plane again was exciting and brought back so many fond memories.”

Ms. Buckland is no stranger to flying having spent her summer vacations in America when she was younger with her cousin who was a pilot and owned his own plane.

Betty Buckland beams on the plane (Image: Care UK/Neil Hanna)

Occasionally, Ms. Buckland’s cousin would let her take control of his Piper PA-28 Cherokee plane, but this time she was able to get back in a Cessna plane to fly.

The flight took place on Thursday 23 March at RAF Kirknewton, West Lothian, with the pilot Andrew Reid, whose mother-in-law was also staying at Lauder Lodge.

Ms Buckland was pictured with a beaming smile on her face after flying at high speed.

The chance to soar through the sky again was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which fulfills the wishes and dreams of residents who suggest an experience they would like to be part of.

Lauder Lodge home manager Anees Riaz said it was “wonderful” to see Ms Buckland beaming as she landed the flight.

Ms Riaz said: “We love going the extra mile for residents here at Lauder Lodge and our wishing tree is a fantastic way to understand what really matters to residents.

“We are thrilled that we were able to help Betty reminisce and get a chance to get back up on a plane. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved and it was wonderful to see the smile on Betty’s face as she landed after her flight.

“A big thank you again to Andy for helping make this wish come true. I can’t wait to see what wish we organize next – the sky really is the limit.”