Complete with full drone pilot certification from the Civil Aviation Authority, the technology will enable the West Lothian firm to safely and efficiently capture of survey data on its many construction sites throughout Scotland.

Mulholland will primarily be using the advanced capabilities of the drone to assist with crucial onsite tasks, such as monitoring earthworks through cut and fill analysis, site progress tracking, and generating Point Cloud Digital Terrain Models and up-to-date Orthophoto Maps for its predominantly house building clients.

The drone, a compact, high end, powerful professional model, the DJL Inspire 2, allows for increased flight times with built-in image processing and offers advanced obstacle avoidance ensuring that its daily use on sites is both safe and highly productive.

Mulholland finance director, Kevin Breen, said: “Using drones to capture survey images of the site is only the beginning of the value that they can offer Mulholland and our clients. The planning, architecture design and engineering that go into shaping what transforms into a new development; all require the best available data. The drone allows us to use data to create 3D models and maps and becomes another highly effective tool to the company, adding to traditional surveying methods with modern technology.”

The technological advance follows a multi-million pound investment in Mulholland’s fleet and construction machinery.