Northern Lights in Scotland: 11 Best Places To Stargaze
The Northern Lights is also known as the Aurora Borealis. During the winter months, there is often the chance to see the Northern Lights in Scotland.
It is a natural wonder that has amazed mankind for centuries. Scotland is at a high enough latitude to spot the theatrical performance during the darker winter months.
Scotland is quite an isolated country and there are plenty of rural areas where light pollution is low and the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are high.
If you are in Scotland in the autumn or winter you might get to catch a glimpse of the flickering lights.
Solar activity is the strongest at the the North Pole. The best place to view the northern lights in Europe are located in or near the Artic Circle.
This includes Svalbard, Northern Norway, Lapland and Iceland. Interestingly, Scotland runs at the same latitude as nordic countries like Norway and Alaska.
The aurora is called the Mirrie Dancers in Scotland. There are apps and websites available that specifically forecast the chances of Aurora activity.
The first app is AuroraWatch UK and the second is My Aurora Forecast which gives you the best locations to see the Northern Lights.
Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of Scotland. The islands are over 100 miles away from the mainland.
Shetland is closer to the North Pole than any other part of the UK. Interestingly, in Shetland you are closer to the Artic Circle than what your are to the nation’s capital city – London.
There are many low-level displays and one or two magnificent displays every winter. Shetland is a sparse and open island, with many places where you can pull up and admire the light display.
Also, in Shetland there is gorgeous coastal scenery, sandy beaches, wildlife to spot and you can soak up the Viking History.
Orkney
The best place to catch the Northern Lights in Scotland is the Orkney Islands. The Orkney Islands is another island group in the far north of Scotland.
Orkney is south of Shetland and north of the mainland. The island is relatively flat, meaning you can see more of the sky, and that there is increases chance of seeing an Aurora.
Isle of Lewis and Harris
The Islands of Lewis and Harris are two islands that are joined together and make up the main bulk of the Outer Hebrides.
As the Isle of Lewis and Harris is far away from big cities and civilisation, the light pollution is low. Thus, this is the perfect conditions for possible sighting of the northern lights.
On the Isle of Lewis and Harris there are remote beaches and open flat countryside where you get go to get a glimpse. For a truly magical experience, try to see them over the atmosphere Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis.
You might not be lucky in spotting the Northern Lights from the Isle of Lewis and Harris, however, the islands will captivate you nonetheless.
Edinburgh
Occasionally, the Aurora is very strong, sighting can be seen from the high points in the capital city.
Sightings have been reported and capture before, there is a small chance of the lights appearing above Edinburgh, but it would be incredible experience if it was to happen again.
Places you can go to get a good view of the northern lights are Blackford Hill, Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. This would be a truly magical experience with stunning views across the city skyline.
Barns Ness Lighthouse
The incredible northern lights can sometimes be seen on the coast.
There have been reported sightings near the Barns Ness Lighthouse near Dunbar in East Lothian, a fascinating structure dating back to 1901. Dunbar is a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh along the A1.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is the most popular island on the west coast of Scotland. This island should be on your bucket list regardless if it is to see the Aurora or not.
Skye is home to no less than nine Dark Sky Discovery Sites making it one of the best places in Scotland for stargazing, as well as hunting for the northern lights.
There is awe-inspiring landscapes, if you can see the flickering northern lights through the crags, this will be a truly magical experience. The Trotternish Peninsula is home to the famous Old Man of Storr and Mealt Waterfalls.
Also, the northwest tip of the island is the best location to view the Northern Lights on the Isle of Skye.
Isle of Skye is a romantic destination which is perfect for anyone dreaming of a stargazing holiday. Skye has jet-black skies, which are filled with fairy lights, twinkling stars, planets space satellites and the moon.
Moray Speyside and Aberdeenshire
Moray Speyside is located in the north of the Highlands and takes in the northern coast between Nairn and Aberdeen.
Aberdeen is located on the north east of Scotland, this part of Scotland has less rain annually, therefore, there is more chance of getting clear skies at night to view the Aurora.
Along the coast are traditional coastal villages, nice sandy beaches, historic buildings and abandoned ruins. Imagine catching the northern lights over some of the most magical castles in Aberdeenshire, including Craigievar Castle.
SIGMA, the Moray Astronomy Club has all the important equipment for a great stargazing experience. You can see the stars dancing it he black canvas sky.
Also, further inland is woodland, lovely countryside to explore and the Cairngorms National Park.
The Cairngorms National Park has a high elevation surrounding by a mountainous landscape. This a great place to try and see the Northern Lights in the winter.
Some small towns to visit include Glenlivet and Tomintoul. Moreover, there is a Dark Sky Park near Tomintoul in the Cairngorms National Park.
North West Scotland
The Highland regions of Sutherland and Caithness are prime areas for spotting the northern lights in Scotland. This is a region filled with beaches, cliffs and tiny fishing villages.
Along the northern coastline of Scotland, stop at one of the pubs to have dinner then head out to try and view the sparkling display.
Head to one of the villages – Durness, Tongue, Castletown or John O’Groats to view the Northern Lights. The picturesque lighthouse at Noss Head is a great place to try and catch the northern lights.
Lochinver is a small village in the north west Highlands, next to the stunning Assynt district. This area is well known to birdwatchers and stargazers.
There is a fishing port where you catch the northern lights over the water. Also, head to the mountains near Applecross or Ullapool for unremarkable views.
So head to some of the towns and villages on the North Coast 500 route to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Galloway Forest Park
Galloway Forest Park is a large dense forest which extends over 300 square miles located in Dumfries and Galloway.
This is one of the few locations south of the central belt where you have a chance of seeing the northern lights. Usually, it is the most southerly spot in the UK where you can see an Aurora.
In the Forest Park is the Galloway Dark Sky Park, the UK’s first ever Dark Sky Park. The Galloway Dark Sky Park hosts the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, a great stargazing spot for avid astronomers.
The observatory has a rolling roof and two colossal telescopes, wonders like the Whirlpool Galaxy can be witnessed.
Galloway Forest is one of the least light-polluted areas in Scotland. Glentrool, Kirroughtree and Clatteringshaw are all good places to base yourself, these three towns have information and observation centres.
Rannoch Moor
Rannoch Moor is a remote inland moor located between Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Glencoe. It is far away from civilisation and the light pollution is low, thus is a good opportunity to view the Aurora.
Angus and the Coast of Fife
Angus and the coast of Fife have had reported seeing the northern lights. When the Aurora is strong enough to reach Fife, St Andrews and Leuchars are the best place to cat the rays over the North Sea.
My favourite spot in Angus to catch the Northern Lights is Carrot Hill. The hill is not a far drive from Forfar and Dundee.
Inverness
Inverness is known as the Highland capital. The northern lights from the city itself might be hard to see. However, heard to some places or villages which are a short drive from Inverness to see an Aurora.
A few suggestions for places to go near Inverness are Culloden, Loch Ness and Abriachan.
Searching for Northern Lights in Scotland Tips
Check the forecast: this includes the weather forecast and Aurora forecast. For the best chance of seeing the northern lights the sky needs to be clear and cloud free.
There are websites and apps that have the Aurora forecast and shows how strong the lights are.
Plan your trip well in advance: plan where you need to go, is there parking, is there any chance of light pollution from your location, is the sky going to be clear, how likely are sighting of the northern lights when your planned destination.
Bring the right gear: it is cold at night in the winter months of Scotland. Make sure you wrap up warm, bring a flask, and a torch to get to your destination, and also being a good camera or phone to get the best photos of the Aurora.
Be patient: unfortunately seeing the northern lights is very difficult sometimes. Sometimes you have to wait for the clouds to move, give time for your eyes to adjust to see the rays.
The best lights can appear at random times during the night so you can be up to 2 am waiting for their appearance.
What is an Aurora Borealis?
The Northern Lights are also known as Aurora Borealis.
The name Aurora comes from the Roman goddess of dawn and Boreas is the Greek name for the north wind. Aurora Borealis is Latin for ‘morning light coming from the north’.
In the high-latitude area of the world, on a cold night, the display of magical natural lights appears. This amazing spectacle is caused by charged particles accelerating into the Earth’s upper atmosphere among magnetic field lines.
The energy from the sun which is located millions of miles away, in the form of ‘solar wind’ ignites the display. The sky comes alive with rainbows of light, in all shapes and patterns.
A variety of colours is produced from all the gas particles colliding together, from yellowish-green, blues and purples, to fiery reds and oranges. The result is a spectacular sight that only last a few minutes.
What is the best place in Scotland to see the northern lights?
Usually, the higher the latitude and the clearer the night leads to a good opportunity to see the Northern Lights. The best sightings of the Northern Lights have been reported to be in Shetland, Orkney, Isle of Skye and the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
On the mainland, there are good reports of the Northern Lights in the Cairngorm National Park and Galloway Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
January is usually the best month to see the Northern Lights in Scotland.
The Northern Lights are more visible less light-polluted areas, during the long and cold winter months. Sightings are more common between September to April.
What time of year can you see the northern lights in Scotland?
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is during the winter months. Sometimes, the lights can be seen during the autumn months as well.
During the winter in Scotland, there are long periods of darkness at night, and also, there are increased chance of clear skies.
To have the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights the night needs to be cold and the sky needs to be clear, with limited pollution and increased solar activity.
Also, to get the best sighting of the Northern Lights you may need to stay up until the early hours of the morning.
Final Note
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a humbling display of dancing ribbons of green, red and purple. The lights are formed in the dark sky when the sun’s solar wind collides with the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field.
Scotland is the best place to see these awe-inspiring Mirrie Dancers. Aurora Borealis hunting is an activity that you should add to your Scotland bucket list.
This post lists the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. The Isle of Skye, Moffat, Galloway Forest, Glen Nevis, Moray Coast and Shetland are all great dark sites in the country where you can see the best of the night sky.
Scotland is generally a rural country where you can do a lot of stargazing.