LIGHTNING struck 5,000 times across the Western Isles and northern Scotland over a two-day period during the stormy weather, according to an energy provider.
Tens of thousands of homes lost power during the recent gales and lightning strikes caused by a so-called ''weather bomb'' which has swept the north of the country this week.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) said that despite gale force winds and huge waves, it was lightning which caused the most damage to the electricity network.
It said bolts struck six wooden poles on the transmission network on Skye, causing region-wide power loss across the Western Isles on two occasions.
Bosses said that when lightning struck equipment directly it added to the time it took to restore power to customers because new equipment had to be installed.
Alan Broadbent, director of engineering at SHEPD, said: "We prepared for the storm with hundreds of additional staff and resources.
"We knew that lightning would be a feature of this so-called weather bomb but predicting the intensity and frequency of strikes is almost impossible.
"We have equipment that can protect against lightning strikes, however, every so often a strike is too intense for even the most advanced level of protection."
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