Arran, Gigha and Crieff saw the display.

The Northern Lights have been seen across the country tonight as lucky Scots managed to photography the incredible phenomenon.

Lucky viewers caught a glimpse of the natural light display in the Isle of Arran, the Perth and Kinross market town of Crieff, and the Moray Firth, in the Highlands.

It could also be seen in the Easter Ross village of Shandwick, near the Cairngorms, in the Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven, and in Isle of Gigha, off the west coast of Kintyre.

A post on the Scotland’s Aurora Watch Help & Advice Facebook group earlier today advised sky watchers they were in for a treat in the night sky.

It read: “First off, if you are keen on seeing the aurora with the naked eye then as soon as it gets dark tonight might very well be your best chance since Oct!

“The STATS are very high and although things can change, there are many positives that have led to us making the following announcement.

“The radar is for 10pm tonight. Circled in green (best chance for clearer skies) – yellow (decent chance of clear spells) – red (low chance of clear skies).

“Remember this will change as the night goes on but earlier is better than later as the cloud is predicted to expand and fill as pressure lowers.

“I think tonight could be a big night for aurora… This is based on science and the current scenario but it’s not guaranteed! So, make your choice, drive a few miles or further, edge your bets, get your gear ready because tonight could be a cracker!”

It was also visible in certain parts of Scotland last night, with people posting pictures taken in Edinburgh, Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway, and Jedburgh, in the Borders.

The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, is a natural light display in the Earth’s sky, and is mostly seen in high-latitude regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctic.

They can appear as dynamic flickers covering the entire sky, or spirals, rays or curtains, and are the result of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by the solar wind.

Wikipedia states: “Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma.

These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emit light of varying colour and complexity.

“The form of the aurora, occurring within bands around both polar regions, is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles.”

The online encyclopaedia also adds: “Planets in the Solar System, brown dwarfs, comets, and some natural satellites also host auroras.”