Crowds turn out to see Catalina air display over the Cromarty Firth
Yesterday, hundreds of people were lining the seafront at Cromarty and gathering on Nigg Beach with their eyes turned upwards to the sky as they waited for a WWII Catalina G-PBYA Seaplane to appear between the Souters to perform an air display.
After a misty morning, the clouded skies cleared to give a great view as the Seaplane, piloted by Jeff Bouling, flew into the Cromarty Firth just before 3.30pm. After circling over Invergordon the distinctive seaplane plane flew low back and forth over the Cromarty Firth to the thrill of all the spectators. The stunning views of the North and South Souters and the oil rigs in the Firth created a dramatic backdrop for the air display.
School children joined locals and visitors to cheer and wave as the oldest airworthy seaplane in the UK circled above them.
The event, supported by The Highland Council, is part of the national celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Circuit of Britain Race for Seaplanes which will see Jeff fly the Catalina Seaplane from the Imperial War Museum in Duxford along the same flight path of Australian aviation pioneers Harry Hawker and Harry Kauper.