IT is a once-in-a-lifetime split-second moment that photographers can only dream of as a stunning electric storm fills the night sky with purple forks of lightning above the Firth of Forth bridges.

The spectacular image, captured by Sebastian Kuczynski on Thursday night, was taken as Scotland prepares to battle thunderstorms this weekend. 

But the storm was not the only show laid on by the heavens as last night saw the longest “blood moon” eclipse of the 21st century.

Across the UK, clouds permitting, the Moon appeared completely red – fully eclipsed by Earth – between 9pm and 10.15pm.

And over the next few days, Mars will be at its closest point to Earth since 2003 and will be seen as a “bright red star” where skies are clear.

And for those awake after 11pm they may have been able to catch a glimpse of the International Space Station (ISS), as it moved quickly across the sky from west to east.

It appeared like a bright star, before fading from sight a few minutes later.

But those hoping to witness these events will have to brave thunderstorms.

The hot weather broke on Thursday night when lightning dominated the skies. Father-of-two Mr Kuczynski was planning on having a quiet night in with his wife Joanna, 38, until he heard the loud thunder and lightning. 

The 43-year-old photographer, from South Queensferry, Edinburgh, rushed outside with his camera at 10:50pm to capture the spectacular lightning.

And despite being a photographer for the more than 20 years, Mr Kuczynski saidit was one of the best pictures he has ever managed to capture.

He said: “I love the picture. I was born in Poland so seeing this was a regular thing for me. Seeing lightning in Scotland is just amazing for me because it doesn’t happen very often.”

The lightning also managed to hit a woman’s phone as she tried to film the thunderstorm.

Tracey Kutluol was filming the storm from her living room window when her iPhone was hit by a thunderbolt.

Ms Kutluol, 43, from Galashiels, said it was her new rubber phone cover –delivered just hours before she was struck – that saved her life.

She said: “I was trying to film how dark it was and hoping for a little lightning that I could capture, but I did not anticipate that it would hit me. The lightning hit the pop socket on my phone. And if I am being honest, that saved my life otherwise my phone would have probably exploded.”

The storm also affected the trains after lightning damaged the signalling system on London North Eastern Railway, which operates trains on the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland. 

Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The heatwave conditions are coming to an end but while many places will remain dry, the thunderstorms could lead to torrential downpours in places.”