Circling Aircraft

[BabyBear]

Can anyone satisfy my curiosity?

Right now there are a couple of aircraft flying in 10- 20 mile cirlcles very high just north of Edinburgh, I have seen this once before and I am simpy curious to what they are and what they are doing.

[JW411]

In-flight refuelling perhaps?

[BabyBear]

Thanks for you reply but they are not together, but opposite each other, although I can only see one now, it's getting a bit cloudier.

I can only conclude they are military.

[DB6]

Are you sure there were two? I was watching on my way home from Glasgow and saw about 4 circular trails, but all downwind from one circling aircraft. From what I could see it was 4 -engined and didn't have a radome so would possibly be a KC-135. A quick look at the NOTAMS confirms lots of military activity over Scotland at the moment (Ex Cold Igloo - how apt).

[BabyBear]

Thanks DB6, there were definitely 2 when I initially posted, however laterally I could only see one.

[rab-k]

JW 411 may have got it right. 'Ivan' was snooping about again yesterday early p.m. through the Faroes/Iceland gap - perhaps the 'reception committee' were topping-up prior to going off to meet and greet.

[Superpilot]

Seen a similar occurence over Durham a few years back. It was clearly a 4 engined aircraft at a normal cruise hight (estimate FL300-350. I was working on a site and this thing circled continuosly for 3-4 hours before making its way south.