Arne Vogler, a senior research engineer and principal investigator at the Hebridean Marine Energy Futures project, said hurricane force gusts had also been recorded.

BBC: Warning of high winds and snow forecast for Scotland

"This indicates that the wave power resource off the Outer Hebrides is even better than what was thought to be the case, " said Mr Vogler.

BBC: Could big waves be big news for the Western Isles?

Mr Vogler added that the challenge to renewables companies would be to come up with technology able to stand up to the most extreme conditions.

BBC: Could big waves be big news for the Western Isles?