Incredible photos show rare ‘candy floss’ like ice formation in Scottish park

These amazing pictures show a very rare 'candy floss' like ice formation captured by an eagled-eyed walker during the recent cold period in a park in East Kilbride.

Amateur photographer Harley Mathieson, 51, was delighted to catch a glimpse of silky hair-like ice, at Calderglen country park, in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire (Photo: Harley Mathieson).

The phenomenon, known as hair ice only occurs when there is the presence of a specific fungus in rotting wood, which causes thin strands of ice to emerge.

Amateur photographer Harley Mathieson, 51, was delighted to capture the silky hair-like ice, at Calderglen Country Park, in East Kilbride.

Harley said: "It looked like someone had stuck cotton wool around the woods but there was no other frost about, just this strange ghost like ice.

The unique phenomenon only happens on rotting wood when the temperature is just below zero and the air is humid (Photo: Harley Mathieson).

"It looks and feels like candy floss and when you pick some off the wood it melts away as soon as it hits your hand.

"I was delighted I was able to take some pictures of it when the sunlight was just perfect.”

Demanding very particular conditions, hair ice forms just below zero degrees and the air has to be humid.

"It's very rare and is only found in temperate woodlands with particular fungus,” explained Mr Mathieson.

The dad-of two from East Kilbride, is studying wildlife and conservation management after he was made redundant from the travel industry last year.

He said he wouldn't have noticed the rare formation on Christmas Eve had it not been for his recent studies.

Mathieson added: "It's funny because I don't think I would have taken much notice but because of my course I have been looking for interesting stuff when I'm out and about.

"I think before I would have just thought it was just some frost in the woods and walked off."

The rare formation was captured on Christmas eve in the East Kilbride park, Calderglen.

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