Image copyright Fiona Mackinnon Image caption This picture of the Clyde coast was taken from Helensburgh by Fiona Mackinnon

Scotland was treated to a vivid display of colours at sunset on Sunday evening.

The sky turned all shades of red, orange and purple because of an unusual combination of weather conditions.

Geoff Monk, from the Mountain Weather Information Service, said a front was passing across Scotland at dusk on Sunday.

"Normally when a front comes in it rains and there's cloud at all sorts of levels," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme.

However, Sunday evening was different.

"We had exceedingly clear air below the cloud. The only clouds were thin layers up at about 12-14,000 feet [up to about 4,300m]," Mr Monk said.

"Because no other cloud was coming in below it or even above it the sun - when it was virtually horizontal at dawn and dusk near the horizon - reflected off the bottom of the cloud giving those vivid colours."

Image copyright Lee Middleton

There were some spectacular views over Arran as the sun dropped down below the horizon. This shot was taken by Lee Middleton from Dunlop in East Ayrshire.

Image copyright Charlotte Mann

This photograph of Holy Isle was taken from the Isle of Arran by Charlotte Mann.

Image copyright Connor Macfayden

The east of Scotland didn't miss out on the vivid colours, as Connor Macfayden proved with this shot of New Winton woods in East Lothian.

Image copyright Susan Lonie

The skies above Edinburgh were looking pink, as captured here by Susan Lonie.

Image copyright Christopher Sleight

An evening bike ride up Duke's Pass in Aberfoyle was worth the effort for this view over Lochan Reoidhte.

Image copyright Cogies Auroras

The BBC's Weather Watchers were busy snapping away on Sunday evening. This picture was taken in Rogart, Sutherland, by Cogies Auroras.

Image copyright Meeklecrag39

Another Weather Watcher, Meeklecrag39, posted this picture take from Troon. Ailsa Craig is just visible on the horizon.

Image copyright DodgerDog

DodgerDog captured this incredible skyscape at Symington, just east of Troon.

Image copyright Macbie Sam

The thin high clouds are well picked out in Weather Watcher Macbie Sam's shot taken in West Linton in the Scottish Borders.

Forecaster Mr Monks said a mix of "complex physics" created the colours we sometimes see at sunrise and sunset. For instance, the type of ice or moisture particles in the air has an impact on exactly how much vibrant colour is refracted back.

"Sometimes if you have lots of dust in the air high up, which could be pollution or something from an old volcano, that in itself gives good sunsets. But it was purely the cloud yesterday," he added.

Image copyright The Dubs

The Dubs took this picture of the sky above Forres, Moray.

Image copyright Dmac

The residents of Scone, near Perth, were treated to a lavish mix of reds and purples - captured in this image by Dmac.

Image copyright Fiona Monk

Fiona Monk snapped this view looking to Edinburgh from Gullane Hill.

Image copyright Colin Mccartney

The fiery sunset was perfectly framed in the wing mirror of Colin Mccartney's car. His daughter took the picture as they were driving to Wiston in south Lanarkshire.

Email your sunset pictures to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk.

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