Mystery night-time 'loud bang' heard in Highlands Published duration 18 September 2019

image copyright Getty Images image caption Ullapool was among the places the noise was heard

People have reported hearing the sound of a "loud bang" in the Highlands on Tuesday night.

The noise was heard by people in and around Ullapool at about 20:00.

British Geological Survey has ruled out an earthquake and the RAF said it was not a sonic boom caused by one of its jets.

The UK Meteor Network said it was possible the sound was caused by a fireball, but it had received no reports of one from Scotland.

It also said it was unconnected to meteors spotted from England at 20:17 and 20:45.

Reports received by BBC Scotland News online on Tuesday suggested the bang was heard near Ullapool in the north west Highlands, further north at Drumbeg as well as Kiltarlity near Inverness.

The UK Meteor Network said if it was an exploding fireball this would have occurred 20 to 30 minutes prior to the sound being heard on the ground.

The RAF said there was no fast jet activity in the area at the time the bang was heard.

In 2016, sonic booms were heard across northern Scotland as RAF fighter jets went at supersonic speed after a passenger jet lost contact with air traffic control

Two years earlier, "thunder-like rumblings" were heard during a magnitude 3 earthquake recorded near Fort William in the west Highlands.