Video: Loud '˜fireball' spotted in night skies over Scotland

Suspected meteor shower over Aberdeenshire

Police were inundated with calls from members of the public who reported the sighting along with a loud bang. Many claimed their homes shook.

The most spectacular sighting were made across the north of Scotland, particularly Inverness-shire and Aberdeenshire.

The spectacle on Monday evening was witnessed across Scotland, and prompted many to report the sight of a “fireball” in the sky and a violent bang.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said they began receiving calls at around 6.55pm on Monday evening.

She said: “One told us the sky had been lit up with an object like a fireball. Another caller said there was a very loud bang and others said the house shook.

“We know police in Inverness and in the south also received calls - it was seen by people across Scotland.

“We have checked and been told it was likely to be a meteor shower.”

The bright white streak across the night sky sparked speculation on social media whether it was an astronomical event, military activity or, perhaps more far-fetched, linked to British astronaut Tim Peake.

Inverness SNP member Jackie Hendry, married to newly-elected MP Drew Hendry, tweeted: “Did anyone else see that big white flash in the sky ... I reckon it was Tim Peake.”

Madcow_paula tweeted: “LOL ... some reckon @astro_timpeake dropped something causing a big white flash in the sky over Scotland this evening!”

UK astronaut Tim Peake was blamed by jokers on social media for 'fireball'

SteveCDT1986 tweeted:”Big white flash and some sort of meteor in the night sky. Looked really close aswell. #endoftheworld #armageddon.”

@Colsuth tweeted: “saw it here in Moray just as we were passing RAF Lossie. Thought it was from there.”

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said they would not discuss if there was any link to any operations in the area.

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