RESIDENTS on Skye have reported an earthquake that “sounded like an explosion”.
People reported windows rattling and house beams creaking after the quake was felt on Skye and on the Highlands mainland coast.
The British Geological Survey (BGS), which detects quakes world-wide, recorded a 2.6 magnitude quake on Friday at about 5.40pm.
It has upgraded the intensity of the event from two to three after receiving more than 30 reports from people who felt it.
BGS uses an intensity scale that goes from one - not felt and detected by instruments only - to 12, which signifies a "completely devastating" earthquake.
Two describes a "very weak, felt by very few people" event and three a quake that is "weak, felt by a few people indoors".
The tremor was recorded around 12km south-east of Broadford.
Residents in Isleornsay, Teanque, Kyleakin, Kylerhea, Breakish and Camuscross on the island Skye sent in reports.
Some described walls and floors of their homes shaking, hearing a sound "like a door banging", while others reported hearing a sound like an explosion and also "thunder followed by a rumbling".
People in Glenelg, Scallasaig, Ratagan, Bernera and Saraig also said they felt the quake.
While not a regular occurrence, earthquakes are not uncommon in parts of the Highlands and Islands.
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