Meet the retired Glasgow engineer who took up trapeze at 66 – and wants to still be flying at 90

WHEN Moira McGhee retired, she thought she’d spend more time relaxing. Instead, the 69-year-old Glaswegian now spends three nights a week learning flying trapeze, aerial skills, and circus fitness after taking a chance on an open day at grassroots circus school Aerial Edge.

This summer, she’ll be part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival celebrations as Aerial Edge brings community-led activities and performances to audiences across the city.

Moira, a retired engineer and former college lecturer, discovered the circus school in 2023 shortly after lockdown when overhearing someone talking about it during an aerial yoga class. Despite worrying she’d be “the oldest person there”, she decided to give it a try.

Aerial Edge, Scotland’s largest circus school founded in 2007, is a grassroots organisation supported by the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund. Guided by a core philosophy that welcomes everyone, regardless of age, body type, or experience, Aerial Edge helps bring community-led performances, activities, and participation opportunities to audiences across Glasgow as part of the wider festival.

Moira said: “I was 66 at the time and I definitely had a bit of trepidation because of my age. I thought everybody else would have gymnastics backgrounds and I’d just look ridiculous.

“But I went along and absolutely loved it. There was something about it that clicked with me straight away and I’ve never looked back.

“I think people put limits on themselves as they get older before they’ve even tried something. You hear this idea that there are things you’re too old to start, but I honestly don’t believe that.”

Before retiring, Moira worked in electrical and electronics engineering before later teaching engineering at college. She said the circus has completely changed what retirement looks like for her.
Moira said: “Retirement could have looked very different for me if I hadn’t found this. It gave me something exciting to focus on and a brilliant community around me.

“Circus is a huge part of my life now. I’ve made friends of all ages and everybody supports each other. It’s one of the most inclusive places I’ve ever been part of.”
Despite standing at 4ft 11in, Moira says she’s continually surprised herself with what she’s physically capable of and now regularly attends aerial and strength classes throughout the week.

She added: “There’s such an adrenaline rush when you’re standing on the platform ready to go. When you finally land a trick properly, there’s honestly nothing else like it.

“I always joke and say, ‘I’m going flying tonight’ before class because that’s genuinely what it feels like.
“I’d honestly say to anybody thinking about trying something new: just come along once. I thought I was too old and that I’d never be able to do anything like this.

“Now I’d love to still be doing it when I’m 90.”

This summer, the Glasgow 2026 Festival will fill the city with hundreds of events, performances, artworks, and sports activities inspired by the Commonwealth Games. With many events free to attend, the festival invites people from all walks of life to discover, participate, and celebrate the spirit of Glasgow’s communities. The Festival programme, available online, highlights the diverse range of ways residents and visitors can get involved.

Aerial Edge will bring circus to the city this summer as part of the Glasgow 2026 Festival. Audiences can join free taster sessions at Govan Cross (6 June, 12pm), Silverburn Shopping Centre (4 July, 12pm), or catch the main event and try a class at Aerial Edge Circus School, Ibrox, on 25 July. With performers and participants from age one to their seventies, everyone is welcome to take part and experience the thrill of the circus.

To find out more about the Glasgow 2026 Festival and discover events taking place across Glasgow this summer, visit the festival programme online.

To find out more about the Glasgow 2026 Festival, visit glasgow2026festival.com