A large military plane has been spotted flying close to the Kessock Bridge while on a low-level training exercise.
The Atlas A400M, which is authorised to fly at a standard low level height of 250ft, was witnessed passing close to the 256ft high bridge.
The aircraft, based at RAF Brize Norton, was on a “routine flying sortie” when the photograph was captured recently from the car of motorist John Edgar.
Mr Edgar said that the plane “went through the bridge on its side to get through”.
But an RAF spokesman said that the photograph showed the aircraft was not flying below the minimum cleared height.
He said: “The RAF can confirm the images are of an Atlas A400M from RAF Brize Norton flying low level on routine training sorties. Low flying remains an essential part of operational training for our crews.”
The Atlas is by far the largest aircraft that routinely flies in the UK Low Flying System, which means a large aircraft will appear to be flying lower than smaller aircraft.
The picture of the plane was taken at about 9.30am last Wednesday.
It is understood that the plane was also spotted flying above the Cromarty Firth earlier in the week.
In May 2015, astonished eye-witnesses reported seeing two aircraft flying under the 790ft main span of the Kessock Bridge, despite there only being 90ft between the bridge and the water.
Aviation laws state that passenger aircraft must not be flown within less than 500ft of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure without permission.
The daredevil pilots were French and had taken their microlights over from home. After the two planes flew underneath the bridge they reportedly continued alongside another plane.
A police investigation into “possible unofficial aeronautical acrobatics” took place after the incident was reported.
But the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed six months later it would not be taking further action over the stunt, mainly because the pilots were foreign and it was likely to be expensive to prosecute.
