Editing Cape Wrath (section)

==Military use==
[[File:RAF Regiment Forward Air Controllers.jpg|thumb|RAF [[Forward Air Controller]]s guide a [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoon]] of [[No. 6 Squadron RAF]] onto its target during an exercise at Cape Wrath.]]
[[File:Vedette No. 2 - geograph.org.uk - 887154.jpg|thumb|right|Military post on way to ranges]]
The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) owns a {{convert|59|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} area of the cape, known as the Cape Wrath Training Centre.<ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=range>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/272933/details/cape+wrath+range/ Cape Wrath Range], Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> The cape was used for training exercises from the early years of the 20th century,<ref name=modleaflet>[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/43345/dte_info_leaflet_scotland.pdf Public Information Leaflet], Defence Training Estate Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> with the first by-laws established in 1933 to allow use of the area as a firing range.<ref name=range /><ref name=modleaflet /> The area was used originally as a naval gunnery range and was bought by the MoD in 1999.<ref name=range /><ref name=modleaflet /> Since 2005 the area has been used as a multi-services training area and is one of the sites used in the [[Exercise Joint Warrior|Joint Warrior]] exercises, Europe's largest military exercise, and by other NATO operations.<ref name=range /><ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=bbc20jan10>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8468126.stm 'Don't bomb' idea for Cape Wrath firing range], BBC news website, 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=nt21sep09>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/NW-will-play-part-in-largest-military-exercise-in-Europe-21092011.htm NW will play part in largest military exercise in Europe], ''The Northern Times'', 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2013-02-09.</ref> Training is allowed on up to 120 days a year,<ref name=scotsman2feb13>[http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/cape-wrath-will-not-be-closed-to-public-mp-says-1-2772077 Cape Wrath will not be closed to public, MP says], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref> usually taking place in the spring and autumn, although times can be unpredictable. The range is usually open for public access during the summer period and there is rarely firing on Sundays.<ref name=mod />

The MoD owns a number of the surviving buildings in the area and operates observation posts and sentry posts during training.<ref name=range /> It is used for naval gunfire practice and for army artillery and mortar range firing.<ref name=mod>[http://rnopsscotland.netfirms.com/CWR_activities.htm Military activities undertaken at Cape Wrath] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214443/http://rnopsscotland.netfirms.com/CWR_activities.htm |date=2014-05-12 }}, Royal Navy. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> Disused military vehicles are often used as targets.<ref name=bbc20jan10 /> The RAF uses An Garbh-eilean (Garvie Island) as a target for a range of training operations.<ref name=mod /> It is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where [[NATO]] forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in assault mode for training manoeuvres, deploying ordnance up to {{convert|1000|lb|kg|adj=on}} bombs.<ref name=modcape>[http://94.236.30.88/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/DefenceEstateandEnvironment/AccessRecreation/Scotland/CapeWrathTrainingArea.htm Cape Wrath Training Area]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref><ref name=modcape2>[https://www.gov.uk/public-access-to-military-areas#cape-wrath-training-area Cape Wrath Training Area], Public access to military areas, Ministry of Defence, 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> Firing on the range is controlled from [[Faraid Head]] close to [[Balnakeil]].<ref name=modcape />

In 2008 a heath fire was caused on the range during a period of live firing. An area of around {{convert|137|ha|acre|abbr=on}} was affected. [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] estimated that the area would take 10 years to return to its normal environmental conditions.<ref name=bbc20jan10 /><ref name=bbc21may08>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7412371.stm MoD accused of 'wildlife crime'], BBC news website, 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=bbc6jun08>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7439405.stm New details emerge on cape fire], BBC news website, 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> Concern has also been raised of the effects of military exercises on nesting birds,<ref name=bbc20jan10 /> on sheep during lambing season and the effects of noise on local residents.<ref name=bbc21may08 /><ref name=bbc24feb03>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2793131.stm Concern over live shelling], BBC news website, 2003-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=nt29nov11>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Protest-over-Nato-exercise-3956.htm Protest over Nato exercise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032243/http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Protest-over-Nato-exercise-3956.htm |date=2016-03-04 }}, ''The Northern Times'', 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> A shell fired during exercises caused concern in 2002 when it landed {{convert|8|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} off-target near the mouth of [[Loch Eriboll]] and around {{convert|1|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} from houses.<ref name=bbc24feb03 /><ref name=bbc9jul02>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2118106.stm Inquiry into shell incident], BBC news website, 2002-07-09. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref>

The MoD expressed an interest in extending its land holdings on the Cape in 2012 after being given the opportunity to purchase {{convert|24|ha|acre|abbr=on}} surrounding [[Cape Wrath Lighthouse]] by the [[Northern Lighthouse Board]].<ref name=bbc20sep12>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19584402 What motivates communities to buy land they live on?], BBC news website, 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref> The plans were opposed by the Durness Development Group which cited concerns that historic buildings might be destroyed and that visitors may be unable to access cliff top paths.<ref name=bbc13may13 /> The group registered an interest in the land using [[Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003|community right to buy legislation]] and a petition opposing the sale attracted thousands of signatures.<ref name=scotsman2feb13 /> In May 2013, the MoD announced that it would not be continuing with the purchase.<ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=scotsman12may13>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/mod-retreats-from-cape-wrath-buyout-1-2926601 MoD retreats from Cape Wrath buyout], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 2013-05-12. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref>