PICTURES March 3 1960

Prestwick Airport - Elvis, who was 25 at the time, stopped over at a US Air Force base at the airport at around 7:30pm on March 3 1960, on his way home to the US after he completed his military service in Germany. While his plane was refuelling, he met fans, the press and staff at the facility.

While only in Scotland for under two hours, the visit was the only time he visited the UK - Pictures taken by Ian Ghee

Here is what was published in the Scottish Daily Mail - 3rd March 1960

A BEWILDERED ELVIS PAYS A FLYING VISIT

WHERE AM I? HE PONDERS AS HE SHAKES HANDS WITH HUNDREDS OF SCREAMING TEEN-AGERS AT PRESTWICK
Hundreds of screaming teenagers drowned the noise of jet engines when Sergeant Elvis (the Pelvis) Presley flew into Prestwick last night. He shook their hands, signed autograph books, posed for pictures - then bewilderedly whispered to an Air Force lieutenant:- 'Where am I?' It was his first stop on the way back to an army discharge. And the American Air Force had planned his short stay to the split-second. Col. Russell Fisher outlined the operation before the 'Pelvis' plane wiggled down. 'But it all depends on what Sergt Presley wants,' he said. 'He may change the whole scheme.' But Elvis was most co-operative . . . although he wouldn't remove his hat.

REST
'Ah'm real sorry I cain't take it off,' said Elvis, chomping on his gum. 'It kinda breaks the uniform if you know what I mean.' What will he do after demob? 'Well, first ah'll get my feet up and have me a rest,' he said in a drawl that befits an all-American boy from Memphis, Tennessee. 'Then ah'm booked to do a television show from Hollywood with Frank Sinatra.' I said: 'I believe you want to do more serious roles in future films. You have said your first three films were musicals and you were getting tired of them.' Elvis looked me straight in the eye. His lower lip went into that million-dollar droop. 'Man, ah've made four films in my time. Yes, I want to do something more serious.' Hamlet? 'No sir. Not quite so heavy. I know my limitations.'

'OFF, OFF'
He spoke to reporters for five minutes - then was whisked away in a staff car to say 'Hullo' to buddies in the local NCO club. Then to the Teenage Club where he was met by the music of one of his early recordings, 'Heartbreak Hotel'. 'Turn it off,' he shouted. 'Turn it off'. They turned it off. Then back to the plane where he confided: 'Ah kind of like the idea of Scotland. Ah'm going to do a European tour and Scotland will certainly be on my list.' Dates haven't been fixed. Colonel J. E. Levan said as Elvis's silver and red aircraft left the runway: 'I don't admire his singing but I've got to listen to it - I've got a teenage son and daughter.' He added: 'But I've sure changed my opinion about that boy. He's gone up in my estimation since he landed here.'