In pictures: Unusual ‘rainbow’ cloud sighted above north east Scotland
This phenomenon is known as a ‘nacreous’ cloud formation, and comes about as the result of a chemical reaction 50 miles above the surface of the earth.
Although a rare and spectacular occurrence, meterologists believe the formation could be seen more frequently as a result of climate change.
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Hide AdDave Clark from the Aberdeen Met office said: “It is unusual to be able to see these nacreous clouds as they are formed in the troposphere, high above our weather.
“They are a consequence of us releasing too much methane into the atmosphere and this reacts with the ozone to form chlorine clouds which is what we see.”