Brocken spectre creates a bigfoot-like shape in the sky

THESE photos are bound to get fans of the supernatural a little excited. But this spooky sighting actually has a more scientific explanation.

A Brocken spectre as captured in Glencoe, Scotland last week. Picture: Scottish Avalanche Information Service.

THEY are the pictures bound to get supernatural fans a little excited.

But this spooky sighting, which can at times look like bigfoot, actually has a more scientific explanation.

Known as the Brocken spectre, the phenomenon caused some excitement when it was captured in the Scottish Highlands this week by photographer Glen Coe of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).

A spokesman for the UK Met Office told the BBC the Brocken spectre effect “is produced when a person stands above the upper surface of a cloud — on a mountain or high ground — with the sun behind them.”

Broken spectres have been spotted across the world. Picture: Andrew Hill.

“When they view their shadow the light is reflected back in such a way that a spooky circular ‘glory’ appears around the point directly opposite the sun,” the spokesman said.

The spectre can often give off an eerie creature-like effect as it seems a lot larger than those who are observing it.

According to nbc News, it mostly occurs near mountain peaks when the air is moist and the sun is low.

It wouldn’t be the first time the phenomenon has been snapped in Scotland as these Twitter users reveal.

#uhiclimate Brockengespenst ("Brocken Phantom" or "Spectre" - see on the Clisham mountain, Scotland by Kenny Campbell pic.twitter.com/573d2t241o

— Dr. Eddy Graham (@eddy_weather) November 8, 2013

A Brocken Spectre on the Five Sisters, Scotland. Cheers >> @markeltringham Photo via http://t.co/j8W6P8wacp pic.twitter.com/GkvNgCSq8d

— Yoor Wullie (@YoorWullie) May 7, 2014

Brocken spectre, Scotland #backpacking pic.twitter.com/7WZvo4Fq1f

— John Tillotson (@TheJohnnyT) September 25, 2013