'I was enthralled' - Meet the Clydebank-born Northern Lights guide

However, the phenomena could be viewed last week in the town and across Scotland due to strong solar storms.

Craig Phillips, who works as a Northern Lights guide in Sweden, is used to seeing the display on a regular basis.

Born in Clydebank, he moved to Lulea in the north of the country in 1999 after previously studying there as part of an engineering exchange program from the University of Strathclyde.

And he explained where his fascination with the Aurora Borealis began.

He said: "I have always had an interest in the Northern Lights since watching them with my father during family holidays in the Highlands when I was young.

"The skies were always darker in the Highlands than Clydebank, so it was always easier to spot them.

"I was enthralled from that moment on."

What originally started as a hobby soon turned into a career and he now leads coach loads of tourists from all over the world each year in an attempt to catch the show in the sky.

He uses a combination of special apps, as well as the weather forecast and local knowledge to increase the chances of spotting the Northern Lights.

Lulea is located around the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places in the world to watch the Aurora Borealis.

And tourists also get to hear about the mythology of the lights around the campfire while drinking warm drinks.

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"When my family from back home were visiting it would always be natural for me to be their guide for the Northern Lights," he continued.

"I became good at it and made sure to study what was needed to understand the occupation.

"People are always impressed when they see it for the first time.

"The passion is always there even though I have seen the Northern Lights many times.

"When I am off duty, I will watch them myself."

Craig was delighted at so many people back home being able to see the lights recently.

And he explained the unique way he likes to watch the Northern Lights when his friends or family come to visit.

"The lights you see in Scotland are very different to those we see in the Arctic Circle," he added.

"They are lower in the skies over Scotland whereas in Lapland they are above our heads.

"I build an igloo every year [when the lights are visible]. It takes a lot of time to construct.

"When I have visitors over, I bring sleeping bags, as well as camping mattresses, so we can be comfortable while watching the showcase."