'Mini-tornado' in Western Isles

The mini-tornado was seen on the island of Barra

A mini-tornado was seen sweeping across part of an island in the Western Isles.

The phenomenon was spotted just before 1800 BST on Wednesday on Barra, near Castlebay, causing only minor damage.

Describing what he saw, local resident Calum MacNeill said the occurrence was very strange and he had never seen anything like it in the area.

He said: "I was looking out the window after a heavy shower when I noticed out of the corner of my eye something strange. It was like a waterspout."

Mr MacNeill told BBC Scotland: "It was at that stage quite broad and dark but it was reaching from the sea right up to the base of the cloud.

"It moved to the north and it got narrower and taller at times and seemed to dissipate to some degree, but then it reformed on a smaller basis and kept going, breaking up and changing shape.

"It was very strange indeed. I've never seen anything like it."

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