A new chapter in Moray’s rich aviation history will begin this weekend with the official launch of a visitor attraction created in honour of the area’s aeronautical heritage.
On Saturday, the Morayvia Science and Technology Centre will stage an opening ceremony celebrating the years of hard work a group of volunteers have carried out while getting the ambitious project off the ground.
The base, at the former Abbeyland School in Kinloss, is a shrine to the feats of engineering that have helped create some of the country’s most famous aircraft.
The venue has opened over the October holidays during a series of trial runs, offering locals the opportunity to closely inspect machines they had only previously viewed from afar.
But Saturday’s ceremony will mark its official launch as the region’s newest tourist draw, and the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnstone, will cut the red tape at noon.
Morayvia chairman Mark Mair expressed his excitement ahead of the big day.
He said: “This is something that has been years in the making, and it’s been a huge group effort.
“We are really proud with what we have achieved in getting to this stage.
“This is all about honouring the men and women who spent decades risking their lives – and we are delighted to pay tribute to them in an area on which they had such an impact.”
Prize among the items at the centre is a dazzling yellow Sea King search and rescue helicopter, which the group secured as a tribute to the RAF heroes who patrolled Moray’s skies for the last four decades.
The 202 Squadron and 22 Squadron logos will be emblazoned on either side of the legendary copter during the event to honour rescue engineers across the UK.
It is hoped the opening event will be attended by former members of RAF Lossiemouth’s search and rescue team, who once piloted Sea Kings while carrying out daring missions across the region.
As well as helping to man the event, the servicemen will be able to provide visitors with an in-depth personal insight into what life as a rescue pilot was like.
Mr Johnstone has been a staunch supporter of Morayvia since its inception and was a key player in bringing a Sea King helicopter back to Moray.