Police are investigating the death of a soldier during a training exercise at an RAF weapons range.

Police Scotland said there were no other casualties from the incident at the RAF Tain base, near Inverness.

A firearm was involved in the death, they said.

Emergency services were called to the base at around 6pm on Tuesday.

"Police along with the Scottish Ambulance Service attended there, where one person was found to be fatally injured," said Chief Inspector Iain MacLelland.


Image: An observation tower at RAF Tain. Pic: Sylvia Duckworth

"There were no other casualties as a result of this incident and their next of kin have been informed."

The identity of the victim has not been released, but Ch Insp MacLelland said he was not from the area.

The base has a rifle range and a small arms range, as well as bombing ranges.

It is used by the US Air Force and NATO air forces as well as British forces.

However, the range is mostly used by Typhoons and Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth.

Image: A warning sign at the range

A cordon was set up around the base on the Dornoch Firth, in Easter Ross, while authorities dealt with the incident.

Around 30 detectives are involved in the investigation.

"Police Scotland are leading the investigation to establish the full set of circumstances of this incident and we are working closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Armed Forces," said Ch Insp MacLelland.

He stressed that "this incident was confined to the RAF firing range at Tain, that no persons were involved other than those military personnel participating in the exercise, and at no stage was there a threat to the wider public safety."

Ch Insp MacLelland also appealed for the community's cooperation as the police presence in the area will continue over the next few days.

Image: About 30 detectives are involved in the probe

Condolences poured in from London and Edinburgh.

During Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Theresa May said: "I, and I'm sure the whole House, would wish to pass on our condolences to the friends and family of the serviceman who has died at the Tain range."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called it "a tragic incident".

"It is another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our Armed Forces do every day," she said.

The shooting comes after Private Conor McPherson, 24, died while taking part in a night-time live firing exercise at a training facility in Northumberland in August.

The soldier, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, suffered a serious head wound after being shot at the Otterburn training area.