Minor earthquake in the Scottish Highlands wakes people overnight

A minor earthquake in the early hours woke people living in the Scottish Highlands.

The seismic event measured a local magnitude (ML) of 2.5 on the Richter scale, with a focal point thought to be near Spean Bridge at a depth of 5km (3.1 miles).

The quake was also felt in Roybridge, Inverlair, Fort William and some surrounding villages.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) received a number of reports about the incident.

One person said a "deep rumble of about five seconds woke my husband and I", while another said it "felt like a small explosion underground".

Another reported they were "woken from sleep to rattling in room from crystals rolling in a tray", while someone else told BGS: "I'm on the fourth floor of a concrete building and I was woken up by a deep, loud rumble in Fort William."

The earthquake took place at 3.09am.

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Davie Galloway, BGS earthquake seismologist, said it was felt around 12.5 miles (20km) from the epicentre.

He said: "This is the largest event in the region, within 20km, since the magnitude 2.7 ML Fort William earthquake on 22 April 2023, which was felt with intensities of at least four EMS (European Macroseismic Scale) in Spean Bridge and the surrounding area.

"Historically, the largest event to have occurred nearby was the magnitude 4.5 ML West Scotland earthquake that occurred on 23 April 1817, which was reported to have been felt over a large part of Scotland."

(c) Sky News 2026: Minor earthquake in the Scottish Highlands wakes people overnight