Landscapes and nature
A natural wonder that has fascinated mankind for millennia, the Northern Lights (also called the Aurora Borealis) are nature’s very own theatrical performance.
It may be a surprise to you, but northern Scotland actually lies at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska which means that you’re in with a good chance of spotting the ‘Mirrie Dancers’ on a trip to Scotland without breaking the bank!
Autumn and winter seasons, with their long periods of darkness and the frequency of clear nights, are probably the best time of the year to experience the auroral displays. Nights need to be cold and the sky clear of clouds, with limited light pollution and increased solar activity. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning may also help.
While the northern reaches of Scotland offer better chances of spotting the ‘Mirrie Dancers’, the aurora can be seen anywhere in Scotland when the right conditions are met and where the light pollution is at a minimum. Here’s a list of some of the best places to see this marvel:
If an aurora is strong, it can occasionally be seen in the capital. Some of the best vantage points in Edinburgh include Calton Hill, Blackford Hill and Arthur's Seat. Staying up into the wee hours of the morning will increase your chances of a sighting.
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On Skye's Trotternish peninsula, the quirky Shulista Croft Wigwams are a cosy base for exploring the northern tip of the island. 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.
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The elusive Aurora Borealis can also be seen on the coast. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck! Here they are illuminating the Barns Ness Lighthouse near Dunbar in East Lothian, a fascinating structure dating back to 1901.
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When the conditions are perfect and the sky glows with colour, your next thought might be night-time photography. Taking a great shot of the night sky is quite a skill - both a sturdy tripod and a wide-angle lens will improve your image quality. For more tips, check out this photography guide.
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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.
Aurorae come in all colours, shapes and patterns, setting the night sky alive with rainbows of light. The variations in colour are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding, from yellowish-greens, blues and purples, to fiery reds and oranges. The playful streaks that snake across the night sky evolve and change constantly, and can last minutes or merely seconds. One thing is for certain, the end result is always truly spectacular.
