35. RAF Tain, Easter Ross. (NH 832 837)

RAF Tain is a bombing range on the Moray Firth where the RAF and the USAF practice their low-level flying and drop bombs on simulated targets such as buildings and military vehicles. Warplanes frequently skim the ground below radar on their way to and from the bombing range. RAF Tain is one of the most heavily used air weapons ranges in the United Kingdom, mainly due to its close proximity to Lossiemouth airfield and low flying areas. In 2001-2002 it's operating costs was £930,000. Training here can involve both low level bombing from heights from anything between 150 feet to 15,000 feet as well as ground strafing using the Tornado's 27mm Mauser guns. The range was used by both air forces prior to and after the conflict in Iraq in 2003. Tornado GR4s from nearby Lossiemouth[53], as well as other RAF and USAF aircraft, took part in an exercise at Tain in August 2003 using "flash and charge" ammunition, before a planned exercise at Cape Wrath using live munitions.

In April 2004, the Secretary of State for Defence published the number of passes made by RAF and non-RAF planes (from other NATO countries) over RAF Tain:

In 2003, UK and NATO warplanes made a staggering 24,177 low-flying passes over the range, an average of 66 per day.

See Appendix C on Low Flying Areas