Aurora Borealis lights up the sky over Scotland

1 February 2019

The aurora was seen as a green glow from Brora in Sutherland

Munkeynutz/BBC Weather Watchers Aurora seen from Brora — The aurora was seen as a green glow from Brora in Sutherland

The Aurora Borealis could be seen in the skies across Scotland overnight.

Also known as the Northern Lights, the displays are linked to activity on the surface of the Sun.

Hamza Yassin captured this image from Ardnamurchan Point

Hamza Yassin Northern Lights at Ardnamurchan Point — Hamza Yassin captured this image from Ardnamurchan Point

The aurora is caused by the interaction of solar wind - a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun - and Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

When weather conditions are favourable, Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland offer some of the best places to observe the aurora or Northern Lights as the phenomenon is often known.

The Northern Lights were also visible from Uig

matt2901/BBC Weather Watchers Uig — The Northern Lights were also visible from Uig

Gairloch was also a good place for observing the aurora

JMacL/BBC Weather Watchers Aurora seen from Gairloch — Gairloch was also a good place for observing the aurora