Highland residents take trip back in time as rare Cold War tank spotted on the road

Drivers in the Highlands will have spotted a Cold War relic on the area’s roads on Thursday morning as a rare tank was transported North from London’s Imperial War Museum.

The Conqueror Armoured Recovery Vehicle Mk.2 is heading to Morayvia aviation museum at Kinloss, where it will go on display.

Built in the early 1960s, only around 20 of the tanks were ever made.

Morayvia chairman Mark Mair MBE said: “This is a remarkable piece of British military history. Built by Vickers-Armstrongs in Newcastle upon Tyne, these weren’t fighting tanks.

“They were enormous recovery vehicles, designed to pull some of the British Army’s heaviest tanks out of trouble, often in extremely difficult conditions.

“What makes this particularly special for us is our location here in Kinloss.

“We’re right beside 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks, who have been tremendous friends and neighbours to Morayvia over the years.

“Although this vehicle comes from a different era and served a different military role, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to recognise the importance of military engineering and the people who keep our Armed Forces operational.

“We’re grateful to the Imperial War Museum for making this possible, and we can’t wait to see this remarkable machine here in Moray.

“Most importantly, it will give future generations the chance to get up close to a piece of engineering history that very few people will ever have the opportunity to see.”

Morayvia was recently awarded the Robert Pleming Trophy for Innovation 2026 by Aviation Heritage UK. This prestigious award recognises innovation within the aviation heritage sector.

The museum is currently closed for winter, with visitors able to see the new exhibit when it reopens in the Spring.