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Nessie Gearing described the scene as "apocalyptic"

An uninhabited Scottish island where government scientists once conducted experiments with Anthrax has been hit by a fire.

People who saw the fire on Gruinard Island from the mainland described the scene as "apocalyptic".

They said the uninhabited island off Scotland's north-west coast was ablaze from "one end to the other" on Saturday evening.

The island was used for germ warfare experiments during World War Two.

It was declared free of Anthrax by the Ministry of Defence in April 1990.

Image source, Nessie Gearing

Kate Gearing and her daughter Nessie were at their home in Aultbea when they saw a glow in the sky, around 20:30 on Saturday.

They could smell the smoke in the air from their house which is about five miles from the island.

They got into the car to investigate, and drove along the coast until they saw the fire, which they said you couldn't miss.