RAF bombs may have spooked whales

EXPLOSIONS from two RAF bombs may have been to blame for 60 "spooked" whales being stranded off the Scots coast, animal conservationists claimed yesterday.

Experts at the Scottish Agricultural College said the explosion at nearby Cape Wrath bombing range may have caused the pod of pilot whales to flee the area and end up stranded in the estuary at the Kyle of Durness.

Volunteers spent hours trying to guide the whales back out to sea on Friday and Saturday but 16 became beached and perished.

Dr Andrew Brownlow, veterinary investigations officer with the college, said: "One explanation is that they were spooked by something further out to sea. This could include underwater noise such as an explosion."

The Royal Navy confirmed divers blew up two unexploded bombs last week left behind after an RAF training exercise.