Protestors gathered outside RAF Lossiemouth at the weekend to highlight the issue of drone flights.

Military forces from 11 different nations are currently taking part Operation Joint Warrior at various locations across the north of Scotland.

The US company General Atomics is using the Moray base to showcase the effectiveness of its new SkyGuardian drone during the exercises, which are scheduled to continue until the end of next month.

Last July airspace regulators decided that flights of the remotely piloted aircraft could go ahead over the UK.

Tim Street, the UK Drone Watch campaign co-ordinator, said: "General Atomics should not be allowed to use the UK’s airspace as a glorified showroom just so they can sell armed drones to US allies.

"Local residents need to know the risks of large military drones being flown over their homes and workplaces.

"We are protesting because the government’s drone’s policy must be subject to democracy, transparency and accountability so that abuses of power are prevented."

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The protestors gathered from noon on Saturday outside the main gates of RAF Lossiemouth.

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