Cloud nine: Amateur snapper captures rare fire rainbow

A RARE phenomenon, known as the “fire rainbow”, has been captured on camera at a Moray wildlife reserve.

The colourful rainbow, which meteorologists describe as a circumhorizontal arc, is an ice-halo formed by plate-shaped ice crystals in high altitude clouds. Footage of the dramatic optical marvel was captured by the mouth of the River Spey, looking south at about 8pm on Monday by Ali Bain, 61, of Garmouth, .

The offshore mechanic said: “I was out walking my dog and took my camera because we were out on a wildlife reserve. Then I noticed an unusual rainbow in the sky. I had a good idea that it was something quite rare. It only lasted for about 20 seconds. I’ve been at sea 42 years and have never seen anything like it.”