Where in Scotland can you view the northern lights? Continue reading to learn about the five areas in Scotland’s north where you can have a decent chance of seeing the northern lights. Here are eight areas in Scotland’s north that offer the best chances of seeing the northern lights.
1. Best places to see Northern Lights in Scotland
Edinburgh
From the high peaks in the capital city, sightings of the Aurora can be observed on rare occasions. There is a slim probability that the lights may appear above Edinburgh, but if they do, it would be a fantastic experience. Sightings have been reported and captured in the past.
Blackford Hill, Calton Hill, and Arthur’s Seat are locations where you can go to obtain a good glimpse of the northern lights. The views of the city skyline would be breathtaking, making this a genuinely wonderful experience.
Orkney
The Orkney Islands are Scotland’s first-best location for viewing the Northern Lights. Another island group in Scotland’s extreme north is the Orkney Islands. North of the mainland, Orkney is located south of Shetland. Because the island is quite flat, you can see more of the sky, and your chances of viewing an aurora are higher.
Western Scotland
Scotland’s Sutherland and Caithness Highlands are excellent locations for viewing the northern lights. Little towns like Durness, Tongue, and Melvich are located along Sutherland’s northern shore, and they are recognized for being excellent locations to view the northern lights.
Have dinner at a nearby tavern before venturing outside to try your luck. Castletown, the most northerly point in Scotland, and John O’Groats are both excellent locations for sightings over in Caithness.
With beaches, cliffs, and tiny fishing harbors coexisting peacefully, the entire region displays an amazing openness in all directions. With miles of the pitch-black sky dotted with sparkling stars, the nighttime skies here are some of the cleanest you will ever view.
Shetland
Shetland is one of the greatest spots in Scotland to see the northern lights because it is the area of Britain closest to the North Pole. Locals will attest that you can see the auroras several times throughout the winter, with a mixture of low-level displays and one or two more stunning ones.
On Shetland, there is a lot of open space, so there are many spots to pull over and settle in for a leisurely light-spotting session. From your accommodation, explore the island to find a secluded area where you may relax with your fold-out chairs, blanket, and camera to capture the moment permanently.
Outer Hebrides
Two islands, linked together as the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris, are located off the northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands. The sky is open, dark, and clear because there is little to no light pollution in this area, making for ideal conditions for a potential glimpse of the northern lights.
On the Isle of Harris, which is to the south, there are many secluded beaches, while Lewis’s flat, open countryside offers expansive, deserted vistas ideal for scenic views. The Outer Hebrides also include Uist and Barra, which have clear skies! The experience of staying on these stunning islands is only enhanced by the wildness of the west.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, an island off Scotland’s west coast, is well renowned for being a good place to see the aurora in Scotland, especially in the north. You won’t have trouble finding a peaceful place to wait since numerous distant areas are free of light pollution.
Throughout the island, there are many Dark Sky Discovery locations. Nevertheless, there is no way of knowing where the lights will appear; you just need to stay distant. Glendale, where you will also find the renowned Fairy Pools, is reported to be a nice place where they have occasionally been seen.
Aberdeenshire and Morayshire
The northern shore between Nairn and Aberdeen is included in the Moray Coast, located north of the Highlands. Along this coastline, there is a lot to see, including historic castles and ruins, magnificent sandy beaches, traditional coastal communities, and stunning woodlands.
The Cairngorms National Park, which extends into Moray, and delightful rural areas to explore can be found inland. Glenlivet and Tomintoul are two fantastic whisky-producing places to visit. Make a night of it by making an event out of seeing the aurora.
Cairngorms National Park
A national park will typically provide you with secluded, tranquil locations with a high percentage of starry skies. The Cairngorms National Park is a well-liked destination for those interested in outdoor activity and adventure because it has a lot of wilderness to explore.
Throughout the year, family and friends enjoy the large outdoor playground while going on various expeditions and taking in the changing seasons. But, it calms down at night, making this a tranquil location to try to see the northern lights in Scotland. It has been decided to designate Tomintoul and Glenlivet as “International Dark Sky Parks.”
2. When is the best time to see Northern Lights in Scotland?
The greatest times to observe the auroras in Scotland are between mid-October and mid-March; avoid any days when there will be a full moon for the best chances.
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