Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we delve into one of the most intriguing mysteries in Scottish aviation history. On December 24, 1975, Peter Gibbs, a former Royal Air Force pilot and accomplished musician, disappeared after taking off from Glenforsa Airfield on the Isle of Mull. His story has become known as The Great Mull Air Mystery.

Peter Gibbs was a man of many talents. A skilled pianist and orchestra conductor, he had also flown Spitfires during World War II. In December 1975, he was on Mull with his partner, Felicity Granger, for a Christmas holiday. They stayed at the Glenforsa Hotel, located near a small airstrip that Gibbs, an aviation enthusiast, found particularly appealing.

On the night of Christmas Eve, after a festive dinner at the hotel, Gibbs decided to take his Cessna F150H light aircraft on a short solo flight. This was a curious decision for several reasons: it was pitch dark, with no moonlight, and Glenforsa Airfield lacked runway lights. Gibbs insisted he didn’t need them, confident in his flying abilities.

Against Felicity's protests, he took off at 9:30 p.m. Witnesses at the hotel heard the sound of the plane’s engine fading into the night. That was the last anyone saw of Gibbs alive.

When Gibbs failed to return, an extensive search was launched. Both air and sea rescue teams scoured the area, focusing on the waters around Mull, as it was assumed the plane had crashed into the sea. Despite the effort, neither Gibbs nor his aircraft were found.

For months, the disappearance remained a baffling enigma. Then, in April 1976, a local shepherd discovered Gibbs’s body on a hillside about 400 feet above sea level and a mile inland from the airfield. Remarkably, there was no sign of the aircraft.

The discovery of Gibbs's body deepened the mystery. Why was he found on land, far from where he was believed to have crashed? How did he end up on the hillside without his plane? His body showed no signs of a high-impact crash or fatal injuries typically associated with an aviation accident.

The official inquiry offered little in the way of answers. Some speculated that Gibbs had landed the plane safely but in a hidden or remote location. Others suggested he may have been injured during an emergency landing and wandered off before succumbing to exposure.

More bizarre theories emerged over the years. Some claimed Gibbs was involved in smuggling operations, and his flight was part of a covert mission gone wrong. Others believed his disappearance and death were the result of foul play, although no evidence supported this.

To this day, the Cessna aircraft has never been found, adding to the enduring mystery of Gibbs’s fate. The Isle of Mull is steeped in folklore and tales of the unexplained, and this case has become part of that tapestry. Despite its modern context, the Great Mull Air Mystery has an almost supernatural aura, capturing the imaginations of mystery enthusiasts and aviation experts alike.

Peter Gibbs’s story reminds us of the risks inherent in the pursuit of adventure and the thin line between confidence and hubris. Though the details of his final flight remain unknown, his life as a decorated pilot, musician, and daring spirit continues to resonate.

As we mark this enigmatic anniversary, we’re left with more questions than answers. Perhaps, like so many of Scotland’s mysteries, the truth about the Great Mull Air Mystery lies in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through history. Tune in tomorrow for another fascinating story on This Day in Scottish History. I'm Colin MacDonald, wishing you all a safe and peaceful holiday season. Haste ye back!

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