UFO fans look to the skies

Bonnybridge has gained an international reputation

UFO enthusiasts have gathered in Scotland to share their experiences and look skyward.

Members of Strange Phenomena Investigations (SPI) staged a "skywatch" in Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, which has been dubbed world UFO capital because of the number of reported sightings there.

The event follows a survey which said that Scotland has the highest concentration of UFO sightings of any country in the world.

Enthusiasts organised a 'skywatch'

SPI representatives organised a public meeting which was held in Bonnybridge's Royal Hotel on Saturday evening.

They then took to the hills above the village to watch out for strange happenings in the sky.

Local councillor Billy Buchanan, who has campaigned for a visitors' centre for enthusiasts, said he was pleased with the event.

He said: "We're finally on the map, we've gained credibility and rightly so."

A study by national tourist body VisitScotland said that Scotland topped the UFO sightings league.

The results were published to coincide with International UFO Day and referred to 300 reported sightings in Scotland a year - higher than anywhere else.

Scotland also recorded the highest number of UFO sightings per head of population, the study said.