One of the Armed Services’ most powerful figures returned to Moray this weekend to visit a tourist attraction aimed at celebrating the region’s aviation history.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, a former RAF Lossiemouth station commander who is now the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff, inspected the exhibits on show at the Morayvia Science and Technology Centre.
During his visit to the Kinloss site on Saturday, he was shown around some of its most treasured items.
As a former Tornado GR4 pilot and flying instructor, the RAF veteran has more than 3,500 flying hours and extensive operational and command experience.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for operations over Iraq in 1999 and the United States Bronze Star for operations in 2003 – while he was stationed at Lossiemouth.
Morayvia management believe that his visit could open a lot of doors for the charity should he decide to offer it his backing.
Chairman, Mark Mair, would not go into detail on what was discussed during the trip last night – but promised that more information would become available “in the near future”.
It is understood that Sir Stephen decided to make the visit after heading to Scotland on Friday to take part in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
He posted on his Twitter account that he was “honoured to have taken the salute” at the event.
Last month, Sir Stephen took on the role at the top echelon of the Armed Services, taking over from Sir Andrew Pulford.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed the Queen had approved his appointment in January.
Prior to that, he had been deputy chief of defence staff for military capability in the Ministry of Defence.
In 2004, Sir Stephen was made a CBE and in December 2013 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Morayvia was formed five years ago, and moved into its current home at the former Abbeylands Primary School last year.
Its most popular draws include a reclaimed Sea King helicopter and a Nimrod spy plane from RAF Kinloss.
Organisers are staging a huge fundraising bash at Innes House, on the outskirts of Elgin, next month.