Awesome aurora: Northern Lights over Scotland

BBC Weather Watcher olly79's image taken at Portmahomack in Easter Ross.

The Aurora Borealis was visible from parts of Scotland on Thursday night.

Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Highlands and Moray were among places treated to views of the Northern Lights.

The displays are linked to activity on the Sun, and the next few years are expected to offer good opportunities to spot the aurora.

Dunnet Beach in Caithness offered another good vantage point for seeing the lights.

Karen Munro, who took the images from Dunnet Beach, said: "It really was a beautiful display and the first time for many years that I have seen a corona overhead."

A phenomenon dubbed Steve - Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement - was also spotted during the aurora from Macduff in Aberdeenshire.

Alan Tough, who sent in this shot, said: "After a heavy rain shower last night, the sky cleared sufficiently to reveal this dramatic scene. I took the accompanying photo from the field next to my house in Elgin. At one point, the rays reached the zenith. Quite a night."

BBC Weather Watchers were among those out and about looking for the aurora. Cogies Aurora enjoyed this view from Rogart in Sutherland.

A picture of the Northern Lights taken from Thurso in Caithness.

Gordon Mackie, of Thurso, said of his image: "It shows a bright and colourful display of the Northern Lights that was easily visible despite the surrounding streetlights. An aurora corona can be seen filling the sky above Old St Peter's Kirk, a medieval church dating back around 800 years."

Graham Nicolson's photo of the "Merrie Dancers" lighting up the sky over Shetland.

The Moray Firth coast offered some of the best views of the aurora. BBC Weather Watcher jimsbackdoor's picture taken at Macduff.

Dornoch in the Highlands was also treated to the sight of the Aurora Borealis.

Magnus Ryrie's picture from Lybster in Caithness.

Galloway Astronomy Centre's Mike Alexander took this photograph. He said: "Around the March equinox is often a good time to see an aurora. This year with the Sun being particularly active led to this spectacular display."