Biggest earthquake in 30 years hits western Scottish Highlands

An earthquake which hit the west Highlands of Scotland was the biggest tremor in the region for three decades, it has emerged.

The British Geological Survey said the quake, which shook the Moidart area just before 3.45pm on Friday, registered at 3.8 magnitude.

It was felt widely across the west of Scotland and was the biggest earthquake in the region since there was a magnitude 4.1 quake near Oban in September 1986, BGS said.

Two hours later an aftershock was recorded in the same area, registering at 2.2.

A number of people in the west Highlands shared their experience of the quake on Twitter.

One wrote: “Just experienced 2 earthquake tremors here in Scotland. Never felt anything like that, like the ground beneath us was exploding. Terrifying!”

Another tweeted: “Think I just experienced a minor #earthquake, here on Ardnamurchan. West coast #Scotland. Anyone else feel it, my kitchen rumbled.”

SNP MP Margaret Ferrier also commented on the tremor, saying: “Largest earthquake in the region since 1986 #Moidart #Scotland.”

There was a magnitude 3.5 earthquake in nearby Glenuig in January 2011.

Scotland's largest earthquake was a magnitude 5.2 event in Argyll in 1880, BGS said.