Call to get tough on stunt pilots

One pilot banks after pulling off the stunt at Ballachulish

Concerns have been raised about the handling of recent low flying incidents in the Highlands.

The latest in a series of incidents saw two Spanish pilots fly under the Ballachulish Bridge earlier this month.

The pair escaped prosecution and Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber MP David Stewart has warned others could be encouraged to attempt similar stunts as a result.

Mr Stewart has branded the pilots the air equivalent of joy riders who should be dealt with.

The MP plans to write to the procurator fiscal asking for an explanation about the handling of the Ballachulish incident.

Captured on camera

The bridge carries a major road and has just 50ft of clearance between it and the water.

The decision was taken not to charge the flyers and instead they were let off with a warning from the police.

The stunt was captured on camera by a local hotel worker.

Mr Stewart wants action against those carrying out dangerous stunts to be tough.

David Stewart is calling for tough action

He told the BBC: "It was so near, drivers on the bridge could see the helmet of one of the pilots.

"If that pilot and his plane had hit the bridge there would have been major safety implications.

"There could have been a bus full of tourists travelling across it for example - that would have been catastrophic."

Last month, a pilot flew under the Skye Bridge. He also evaded prosecution after claiming he was avoiding a flock of gulls.

Meanwhile, a helicopter pilot is still being sought after flying beneath the Skye Bridge on two occasions.