A couple who got out with their lives after lightning struck their home in the Outer Hebrides have described their lucky escape.
The house at Ardroil in Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis was destroyed by the bolt and resulting fire.
The Western Isles were blasted by more than 230 lightning strikes during the night.
Dr Louise Scott, 53, a GP in Stornoway, and her husband Simon, who is the factor and company secretary at Grimersta Estate, were asleep when at around 2am today a direct lightning strike set the house alight with a fireball.
"There was a huge explosion and lightning hit the chimney stack above the bedroom," said Mr Scott, 60.
"We are both ex- Army but this was pretty alarming.
"Half of the stack came down into the bedroom and the other half fell outside. If the debris that came inside had fallen two feet nearer it would have been on top of us.
"The bolt came through the roof and the floor.
"The fire started immediately. I went to get a fire extinguisher but, with the gale, the fire was not controllable.
"We grabbed the dogs and got out of the house as we were in our pyjamas and wellies.
"The firemen were brilliant - we known many of them. It was dreadful conditions.
"We are very sad to have lost the property, our two cars were damaged by the debris, but we are very grateful to get out ok as it could have been worse.
"We are insured and we have had lots of offers of help, which also appreciate, but we are staying at Grimesta Lodge temporarily at the moment.
Pictures from the scene show the roof destroyed and the single storey building practically a shell.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent four appliances to the scene from Bernera, Valtos, Shawbost and Stornoway, under the direction of SFRS group commander Dougie Campbell.
He said that 15 firefighters found the blaze "well established."
Group commander Campbell said: "The crews did very well to bring it under control given the atrocious conditions.
"It was very blustery, with strong showers and also the risk of more lightning strikes. I would like to pay tribute to their professionalism and dedication.
"The fire was well established.
"The house was destroyed and two cars were also lost, but thankfully nobody died and three dogs belonging to the owners were also rescued by them. The house is a total loss and was most likely hit by lightning.
"I really feel for them and what they have suffered."
The crews were at the scene until 8am to ensure safety.
It is believed the Scotts have been inundated with offers of help and accommodation and are staying elsewhere in the district.
An electricity transformer was also reportedly hit by lightning near the same location, with a loss of power to properties in the area.
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