Northern Lights Scotland: When, Where and How To See Northern Lights 

If you want to see the greatest light show on earth, then you must visit Scotland. The colorful, dancing Northern Lights give a spectacular view, Scotland offers some of the best opportunities to catch the Aurora Borealis. With dark skies, rugged landscapes, and sightings all year round, you picked the perfect destination. The best months for viewing are September and March, longer nights give a greater chance of seeing the Lights. The good news is that, whereas the Lights can occur at any time of the year, it is just a matter of getting the right conditions. The best viewpoints are available at the Isle of Skye and Shetland Islands.

So, get ready to start your planning for the Northern Lights Scotland journey. Here we Go…

What Are Northern Lights?

Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis, are thin streams of bright greenish-blue light swirling in a clear dark sky. Auroras are the interaction of the solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field. The solar wind consists of charged particles coming from the Sun. These are attracted to Earth’s magnetic field at incredibly high speeds to the poles. The phenomenon manifests itself upon collision with the ionosphere (upper atmosphere atoms and molecules) where kinetic energy transforms to visible light.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Scotland? 

Although the entire Scottish Highlands is best for the display of the Northern Lights, there are a few sites that are particularly famous for Northern Lights Scotland displays. These are as follows:

Outer Hebrides

If you want to see northern lights, do check out the Outer Hebrides. This northwestern archipelago is spread over every stretch of the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking, isolated islands away from light pollution. Do not miss a trip to the Isle of Lewis and Harris when visiting the Outer Hebrides. Days spent exploring beautiful white-sand beaches, characterful towns like Stornoway, and Neolithic monuments such as the Calanais Standing Stones are highly recommended.

Shetland Islands

You may visit Scotland’s northernmost point, that is, the Shetland Islands lying some 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the mainland. On these remote isles, you would be nearer the Arctic Circle than London by approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers)! You would, of course, get to view the northern lights. Further, you’ll also appreciate coastal views, view wildlife, and appreciate Viking heritage.

Isle of Skye

If you haven’t yet added the Isle of Skye to your travel Wishlist, now is probably a good time. You surely haven’t seen something else in Scotland like the striking contrasts of its sweeping green glens/valleys, sharp-edged rock formations, and glassy and otherwise, lochs with big mountains looming above – is stunning enough. But make a wish for the occurrence when sometimes Aurora makes everything seem magical.

Aberdeen Shire and Moray Speyside

On a trip to the northeast of Scotland, try your luck at spotting northern lights while experiencing Scottish experiences too. The part of Scotland gets less rain than the western part, so that ensures clear night skies to gaze at the northern lights in case they appear. A good chance for sunshine on Moray Firth will result in this region being touted with the most sunny days in Scotland. Of course, weather and northern lights are not guaranteed. If you don’t view the aurora borealis, then there are things you can see and do in Aberdeen shire and Moray Speyside.

When to see the Aurora Borealis in Scotland?

The most important and difficult task is to decide the time. So let’s know the best time to witness Northern Lights Scotland:

• Northern lights don’t appear as often in Scotland as we wish they would. Timing is everything, even though no one can tell for sure what to expect with any of these acts of nature.
• You may see the northern lights in Scotland between September and March, as the colors of the aurora can be viewed well on a dark sky at night.
• You ought to look out for it in autumn and wintertime when nights are longer and more dark than during the summertime.
• It is however not just a night that does the trick. You’ll only be able to watch the northern lights if strong solar activity exists. To top it all, this must be a clear night as any cloud cover might obscure them from view.
• You need a place free from light pollution to witness these dancing lights.

How to prepare yourself for your Northern Lights excursion in Scotland?

Below we have mentioned some essential tips for your Northern Lights Scotland trip, go through them for your successful trip:

• Please check the weather forecast and Northern Lights Scotland forecast before visiting – the ideal night times tend to be still clear conditions. Read our Weather Scotland guide for some understanding of what we can expect.
• Find a distant location that is away from street lights. Streetlights interfere with your view.
• This is not a quick adventure; you are likely going to be outside for several hours, so you want to make sure you are wrapped up warmly with several layers of insulation. It’s a good idea to come armed with a blanket, and a flask of hot tea or coffee.
• Look for unusual lighting patterns in the sky. Sometimes it looks like a weak color flicker, and other times you will not doubt that it is the auroras.
• Bring your camera – if you want to capture the memory.

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