TO SIGN UP TO OUR BIGGEST EVER EVENT, TAP HERE.
People from across Scotland have the chance to touch down at the home of Scottish Rugby this spring as Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance stages its largest ever mass participation event at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield stadium - the SCAA Stadium Takeover!
In a unique double challenge on Saturday, May 16, fundraisers will face a thrilling 98-foot freefall abseil drop from the West Stand to the pitch side and/or the exhilarating climb of either 4,200 or 7,500 steps through the main stands.
SCAA hopes to attract thousands in a bid to help fund the annual £10 million required to keep the life-saving service in the air.
“SCAA is a vital part of Scotland’s emergency response network,” explained SCAA events officer Caryn Whitelaw. “We fly critical care to the scene of serious illness or injury and airlift patients to definitive hospital care. The speed, expertise and accessibility of our aircraft and crews gives patients the best chance of survival or quality of recovery.
“Thousands of patients owe their life to SCAA but we need to ensure that funding is in place to keep our service in the air and be there for thousands more,” said Caryn. “And that’s where fun-filled thrilling events such as our SCAA Stadium Takeover come in – a brilliant experience for supporters everywhere. We’re giving people the chance of a lifetime to take part in this amazing challenge at the iconic stadium with exclusive access to the national arena – and in return, we hope they will raise life-saving funds for the country’s only charity air ambulance service.”
This is the first time the stadium has hosted a stair climb and abseil at the same time or such a large participation event. Between 8am and 5pm, supporters will be climbing and dropping in a sponsored relay as experts put registered challengers through their paces.
And SCAA hopes that sportsmen and women will be among those taking part.
“We are often called to attend those injured playing rugby or football, falling from horses, skiing or gliding as well as a multitude of other sporting activities when things go terribly wrong,” said Caryn. “This is a chance for everyone to tackle something different and say a huge ‘thank you’ to SCAA.
“Our previous fundraising challenges have proved hugely popular, and we hope all roads will lead to Murrayfield on May 16 for what will be our biggest one ever.
“We believe no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time – those heading to Murrayfield in May can help us achieve that ambition.”
Looking forward to welcoming SCAA to Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby’s Director of Stadium Development and Operations, said that it offered “a fantastic opportunity” for participants to challenge themselves while raising money for a great cause.
"Scottish Gas Murrayfield is an iconic venue and it is great to be able to welcome new events like the SCAA Stadium Takeover 2026 to our calendar this year,” he said. “SCAA is offering a unique opportunity to visit the home of Scottish Rugby and take up the challenge of fun and fundraising. We look forward to it.”
