Planespotting RAF Lossiemouth — EGQS
RAF Lossiemouth on the Moray coast is the only operational RAF station in Scotland and has a long reputation as the most spotter-friendly fast-jet base in the country. Four Typhoon squadrons hold Quick Reaction Alert (North) here, the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol fleet flies from its own hangar on the western side, and in May 2026 the first E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning jet arrived for testing ahead of service with 8 Squadron. The main runway 05/23 runs north-east to south-west and is used in both directions; the shorter 10/28 is used only rarely. The approach to 23 comes in over Moray Golf Club and the dunes beside the town, where a disused road embankment gives one of the best elevated views at any UK airfield. Exercises such as Joint Warrior bring foreign maritime patrol aircraft and fighters in spring and autumn. Spotterra alerts you when a visiting P-8 or a QRA launch shows up near EGQS.
Conditions right now
Runways
- 05/23 2,751 × 46 m · 9,026 × 151 ft asphalt
- 10/28 RWY 10 1,844 × 46 m · 6,050 × 151 ft asphalt
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 10:00
Typical traffic mix
- Military86%
- Turboprop6%
- GA5%
- Bizjet3%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Old road embankment by Moray Golf Club (runway 23 approach)
A stretch of the former main road, left on an embankment when the road was moved to clear the 23 approach. It gives a raised view across the airfield and golf course, with aircraft on final passing right in front of you. Excellent for logging visitors on the ramp with binoculars.
- Getting there
- Off the B9040 west of Lossiemouth town; park near the start of the track because it becomes narrow and overgrown further on. A small gravel car park at the B9040/B9135 junction is the alternative. You are next to the golf course — stay in the rough, keep off the greens and watch for balls.
- Best time
- Runway 23 landings. Good light from mid-morning to evening; only early morning is awkward.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm; binoculars or a scope for the visitor ramp.
Pillbox crash gate (23 threshold)
A concrete track off the B9040 runs to a crash gate near the 23 threshold, beside an old wartime pillbox that serves as an elevated platform. Head-on and side-on approach shots, and in the morning aircraft taxiing from the visitor ramp to line up on 23.
- Getting there
- Continue east on the B9040 past the golf course and turn back toward the runway on the old concrete path. Room for only two or three cars; do not block the gate. Exposed and very windy in winter.
- Best time
- 23 landings and line-ups. Early morning for taxiing aircraft; the sun swings round into your face later in the day.
- Lens
- 100–200 mm is enough for most shots.
Runway 05 approach lane
On the south-western side the minor road crosses beneath the approach lights for 05. Stand on the verge for side-on landings or walk among the approach lights for head-on shots as jets come over the fields. Quiet and rural.
- Getting there
- From the A941 take the B9135 toward Kineddar, then the minor road skirting the south of the station until you reach the 05 lights. Use passing places and wide verges sensibly — never block them.
- Best time
- Runway 05 landings. Late morning to mid-afternoon with the sun to the south.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Runway 05 end (far side)
Around the end of runway 05 you can walk to the other side of the runway end, where aircraft taxi close past you for line-up and departures climb away over your head. A noisy, close-up position that rewards a short lens.
- Getting there
- Follow the perimeter road around the 05 end and park where it doesn't obstruct the road; parking is limited and fills up when something is expected. Walk the last part.
- Best time
- 05 departures and line-ups. Sun in your face in the morning and early afternoon; from mid-afternoon it works well.
- Lens
- 24–200 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Typhoon FGR.4s of 1(F), II(AC), 6 and IX(B) Squadrons fly most weekdays, typically 08:00–18:00, with occasional night flying well into the evening. Poseidon MRA1s of 120 and 201 Squadrons fly long sorties over the North Atlantic, and the E-7 Wedgetail AEW1 began test flying here in 2026. During Joint Warrior and other exercises, US Navy, Norwegian and other NATO P-8s, fighters and tankers stage through. Mondays and Friday afternoons are often very quiet, and weekends are normally dead.
FAQ
What's that plane over RAF Lossiemouth?
Spotterra's live map lists every ADS-B-equipped aircraft over Moray in real time with type and callsign. Poseidons and visiting maritime patrol jets usually show; Typhoons on training often don't.
Which runway does RAF Lossiemouth use?
Runway 05/23 almost all of the time, in both directions depending on the wind. Runway 10/28 is used very rarely.
When are the best days to visit?
Tuesday to Thursday, plus exercise periods such as Joint Warrior in spring and autumn when foreign aircraft stage through. Weekends are quiet.
Is there somewhere to stay with a view?
Silver Sands holiday park lies between the beach and the golf course on the airfield's northern side and is a long-standing favourite with spotters; book ahead in summer.
Spotterra watches the sky over RAF Lossiemouth
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
Start spotting freeMore in British Isles: London Heathrow · Manchester · London Gatwick · London Stansted · London Luton · London City · All 204 airports →