There was a Royal Navy Air Service base built at Lenabo to the south of the village in 1915–16; it is referred to as RNAS Longside or sometimes RNAS Lenabo.
It was the most northerly of the twelve airship stations operated by the Royal Navy to defend the British coast during the First World War.
The buildings on the site were extensive and included three airship sheds that were 100 ft (30 m) high and could be seen on the horizon for miles as the land was flat.
There were also two 66 ft (20 m) high chimneys as well as stores, workshops and administration areas together with barracks.
Unlike most sites constructed for use during the war, which were of an easily removed nature, the buildings at Lenabo were built to last and were heavy concrete and brickwork.
The main entrance had two concrete pillars adorned with elaborate globes mounted at the top.

There were 1500 personnel based at the station and the facilities included a swimming pool, shops, a theatre and Church.
There was also a gas works within the site.
The base was disbanded in 1920 and it is now a forestry plantation with little indication of its former use.
Longside Community Council raised funds to have a plaque mounted on the remains of a building at the entrance to the site in 2003.

Originally a World War II airfield, Longside Airfield was also known as RAF Peterhead or Peterhead Airfield and is situated to the east of the village adjacent to the A950 road.

The airfield was built in 1941 and disbanded in 1945.
During this period there could be up to 2,000 RAF personnel based there including around 250 WAAF.
A large number of RAF squadrons from a variety of nations used the five accommodation camps there.

In November 1941 it was hit by two bombs from a Ju 88 bomber causing one person to be killed and three to be injured.
Hurricane, Spitfire and Mustang aircraft are recorded as flying from Longside airfield to provide protection for eastern convoys.

During the 1990s, the airfield site was inspected and aerial photographs were taken as part of an assessment for a proposed pipeline running between St Fergus and Peterhead Power Station.
These reports and photographs showed pillboxes and many buildings still survived, although most of the land had by then returned to agricultural use.
The control tower had been demolished.
In November 2004, further investigation was undertaken.
The report compared photographs from 1946 which showed the airfield and all its ancillary buildings with photographs taken in June 1969.
By then the hangars had been removed but many other buildings and pillboxes still survived.
Bond Helicopters and Bristows have used the airfield as a refuelling point for helicopters servicing North Sea oil platforms, roughly a 45-minute flight.

In 2003, after funds were successfully raised by the local branch of the Longside British Legion, a cairn monument was erected in memory of those who had served at RAF Peterhead, Longside airfield.
At the time of the unveiling ceremony of the monument on 14 September 2003, there was a flypast from a Dakota of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

More recently a stretch of the runway is used for flying radio controlled model aircraft.

The airfield is owned by Aberdeenshire Council and on a 99-year lease to a North Sea Helicopter operator through acquisitions.
 The airfield is used regularly by the Buchan Aero Club as a goodwill gesture from the helicopter operator.
 The airfield qualifies for zero business rates through club status and does not operate or promote commercial activity to remain within this agreement.

Longside was a mainstay of the turnpike system as it was crossed by two turnpikes; one running a mail coach twice a day and a stage coach running between Peterhead and Banff and returning in the evening.
The twelve-mile stretch of road from Peterhead to Pitfour and then on to Coilsmore ran through Longside and was completed in 1810.
It was partly funded by James Ferguson (the member) but he sold it to a Peterhead merchant, James Hutchison, in January 1809.

The Toll House is in Main Street, Longside; as the
There was a Royal Navy Air Service base built at Lenabo to the south of the village in 1915–16; it is referred to as RNAS Longside or sometimes RNAS Lenabo. It was the most northerly of the twelve airship stations operated by the Royal Navy to defend the British coast during the First World War. The buildings on the site were extensive and included three airship sheds that were 100 ft (30 m) high and could be seen on the horizon for miles as the land was flat. There were also two 66 ft (20 m) high chimneys as well as stores, workshops and administration areas together with barracks. Unlike most sites constructed for use during the war, which were of an easily removed nature, the buildings at Lenabo were built to last and were heavy concrete and brickwork. The main entrance had two concrete pillars adorned with elaborate globes mounted at the top.
There were 1500 personnel based at the station and the facilities included a swimming pool, shops, a theatre and Church. There was also a gas works within the site. The base was disbanded in 1920 and it is now a forestry plantation with little indication of its former use. Longside Community Council raised funds to have a plaque mounted on the remains of a building at the entrance to the site in 2003.
Originally a World War II airfield, Longside Airfield was also known as RAF Peterhead or Peterhead Airfield and is situated to the east of the village adjacent to the A950 road.
The airfield was built in 1941 and disbanded in 1945. During this period there could be up to 2,000 RAF personnel based there including around 250 WAAF. A large number of RAF squadrons from a variety of nations used the five accommodation camps there.
In November 1941 it was hit by two bombs from a Ju 88 bomber causing one person to be killed and three to be injured. Hurricane, Spitfire and Mustang aircraft are recorded as flying from Longside airfield to provide protection for eastern convoys.
During the 1990s, the airfield site was inspected and aerial photographs were taken as part of an assessment for a proposed pipeline running between St Fergus and Peterhead Power Station. These reports and photographs showed pillboxes and many buildings still survived, although most of the land had by then returned to agricultural use. The control tower had been demolished. In November 2004, further investigation was undertaken. The report compared photographs from 1946 which showed the airfield and all its ancillary buildings with photographs taken in June 1969. By then the hangars had been removed but many other buildings and pillboxes still survived.Bond Helicopters and Bristows have used the airfield as a refuelling point for helicopters servicing North Sea oil platforms, roughly a 45-minute flight.
In 2003, after funds were successfully raised by the local branch of the Longside British Legion, a cairn monument was erected in memory of those who had served at RAF Peterhead, Longside airfield. At the time of the unveiling ceremony of the monument on 14 September 2003, there was a flypast from a Dakota of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
More recently a stretch of the runway is used for flying radio controlled model aircraft.
The airfield is owned by Aberdeenshire Council and on a 99-year lease to a North Sea Helicopter operator through acquisitions.  The airfield is used regularly by the Buchan Aero Club as a goodwill gesture from the helicopter operator.  The airfield qualifies for zero business rates through club status and does not operate or promote commercial activity to remain within this agreement.
Longside was a mainstay of the turnpike system as it was crossed by two turnpikes; one running a mail coach twice a day and a stage coach running between Peterhead and Banff and returning in the evening. The twelve-mile stretch of road from Peterhead to Pitfour and then on to Coilsmore ran through Longside and was completed in 1810. It was partly funded by James Ferguson (the member) but he sold it to a Peterhead merchant, James Hutchison, in January 1809.
The Toll House is in Main Street, Longside; as the
Longside