The Northern Lights in Scotland – also called the Aurora Borealis – are nature’s very own theatrical performance. Witnessing the Aurora Borealis is an incredible experience.
It may surprise you, but northern Scotland actually lies at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska, giving you a good chance of spotting the ‘Mirrie Dancers’. Experts highlighted Scotland as a hotspot for seeing the Northern Lights, specifically between October and March.
What causes the Aurora Borealis?
Named after Aurora (the Roman goddess of dawn) and Boreas (the Greek name for north wind), this amazing spectacle is caused by charged particles accelerated into the Earth’s upper atmosphere along magnetic field lines. The energy to drive this display is provided by the sun, in the form of a ‘solar wind’. The sun may be millions and millions of miles away, but it is the reason we see this extraordinary sight.
When is the best time to see the Northern lights?
Autumn and winter, with their long periods of darkness and frequent clear nights, are probably the best times of the year to experience auroral displays. Nights should be cold, the sky clear of clouds, light pollution minimal, and solar activity increased. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning may also help.
Keep an eye on the Aurora Forecast, which offers notifications of increased auroral activity via free text message alerts.
Where can I see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
While the northern reaches of Scotland offer the best chances of spotting the ‘Mirrie Dancers’, the aurora can be seen anywhere in Scotland when conditions are right and light pollution is minimal.
You don’t need to travel to the northern stretches of Scotland – you can stay in Central Scotland and still experience them!
Rannoch Moor, Perthshire and the Cairngorms are all places where the lights have been spotted!
