Building record MAB6580 - RAF LOSSIEMOUTH

Airfield, created in World War II, and still in use by the Royal Air Force.

Airfield, created in World War II, and still in use by the Royal Air Force. Many structures from the war period still exist including air-raid shelters, hangers and auxiliary buildings. At the south-east side of the field one hanger still retains shell holes when it was strafed by enemy fire. In the northwest section a hanger has gun sighting marks from the war painted on the hanger door. RAF Lossiemouth was built between 1938 and 1939 and opened on 1 May 1939, with the major unit being No. 15 Flying Training School. The station was handed over to Bomber Command in April 1940. On 26th October 1940, three Heinkel 111 (German) aircraft made a surprise dusk attack on the airfield. One of the Heinkels crashed, brought down either by the explosion of its own bombs or the station Hispano gun. The four-man German aircrew were killed, and are buried in Lossiemouth churchyard. The airfield was defended with 8 pillboxes, at least six of them Type 27 pillboxes, one rectangular and the other Type 22 or 24. A number of aircraft dispersal areas still survive in the surrounds of the airfield, some of which are no longer in use. After the war, the station became a satellite of RAF Milltown in Coastal Command. It then became Royal Navy Air Station HMS Fulmar whose primary task was Fleet Air Arm operations. The officers Mess complex included officers accommodation including the Captain's House, the Commanding Officers residence, a small brick building vacated in 1954 (the new Captain's House was the former manse, see NJ26NW0089). It was later used as RAF Police Flight. The RAF returned on 28 September 1972 with a variety of aircraft types being stationed there. These have included Whirlwind, Jaguar, Shackleton, Sea King, Hunter, Buccaneer and Tornado, employed in various roles including airborne early warning, operational conversion unit, tactical weapons unit and maritime strike/attack and search and rescue. There are also several ground-based units, include the air and ground defence, airfield damage repair and airfield support roles. At present RAF Lossiemouth operates Tornado GR4 and an Operation Conversion Unit. The Search and Rescue unit operates a Sea King HAR 3A Helicopter. A battle HQ for the airfield, now removed, stood near the junction of the B9135 and B9040 (NJ27SW0226).

Period Notes
Built between 1938 and 1939 and opened on 1 May 1939; handed over to Bomber Command in April 1940.

SMITH, D, 1983, ACTION STATIONS 7, 142-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3237.

HUGHES, J, 1999, A STEEP TURN TO THE STARS (Bibliographic reference). SAB2758.

NORTHERN SCOT, 2009, RAF 70TH ANNIVERSARY SUPPLEMENT- 70 YEARS IN MORAY, P.9-12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1316.

BARCLAY, G, 2013, IF HITLER COMES. PREPARING FOR INVASION: SCOTLAND 1940, p180, Fig. 12.7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3792.

Author unknown, n.d., [Untitled] (Bibliographic reference). SAB1480.

Author unknown, n.d., INSIDE MORAY, 04/01/16 (Bibliographic reference). SAB873.

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN PROJECT, n.d., LOSSIEMOUTH, DoB records (Bibliographic reference). SAB4053.

Oct 9 1997 , AAS/97/12/CT, AAS/97/12/CT (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB31361.

Oct 9 1997 , AAS/97/12/G27/7-9,13-4, AAS/97/12/G27/7-9,13-4 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB31360.

Sep 2 1999 , GR/99/CT1-84/WW, GR/99/CT1-84/WW (Ground Photograph). SAB31578.

Sep 2 1999 , NV 1-30, NV 1-30 (Ground Photograph). SAB31579.

Sep 2 1999 , NW 1-30, NW 1-30 (Ground Photograph). SAB31580.

Sep 2 1999 , NX 1-15, NX 1-15 (Ground Photograph). SAB31581.

Sep 2 1999 , NY 1-15, NY 1-15 (Ground Photograph). SAB31582.

Record last edited

Mar 18 2025 10:11AM