Seeing Northern Lights in Scotland

Question

Northern lights are apparently visible in Scotland according to numerous websites. While locations do vary, most seem to say that northern lights are visible pretty much anywhere in the country. What they do not say is how often are they visible.

Suppose I am looking to visit Scotland 6-7 weeks after the fall equinox to coincide with the November new moon, what are the chances that northern lights would be visible some nights from Scotland? I will gladly adjust my location within the country accordingly, if some places are more likely to see this phenomenon.

Thus the question is: How likely is one to see the northern lights in Scotland between the end of October and mid November? Also, where within Scotland would the likelihood be greater?

Answer 1

The thing you need to understand is that the Aurora Borealis tends to occur in an oval over the North Pole. Based on how strong is the aurora (KP number), the further south the aurora will be visible.

Take a look at a KP number chart, such as here, you will see that a fairly strong aurora, KP-5, is required to see the aurora in the northernmost UK, while a much weaker KP-2 aurora will be visible in Iceland, where they are fairly common in winter.

This means that auroras in Scotland will be fairly rare and unimpressive. You really need to be as far north as possible and get fairly lucky. You will have much better luck in Iceland or northern Scandinavia.

Last winter, I saw the aurora in Alaska here in the USA. We were in an about comparable viewing situation as Iceland. We were there for 4 nights, which were KP-1 and 2 and we were able to see the aurora only one of those nights. Those same nights, you would have seen nothing in the UK.

Answer 2

Go as far north as possible, to a remote location away from city lights. Wait for a period of strong solar activity and a clear night (neither predictable more than a few days in advance, unfortunately), and expect to see only a faint coloured haze above the horizon. If you want to see the ribbons of light arcing through the sky you need to be north of the Arctic Circle.

Answer 3

I've spent many years looking at the sky in the UK and never seen even a hint of green on the horizon. Often there's a report of a high KP number but the sky will be overcast. Scottish weather is notoriously prone to cloud

One way you can improve your chances is to take an aurora-spotting flight. These are fairly regular in the UK and fly north of the mainland, above the cloud. One company offering these is Aurora Flights, Omega Breaks also offer them - never been on one so I'd check with Trip Advisor before booking

Answer 4

There is an old Scottish folk song by Kenneth McKellar called The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen:

Mojim

The northern lights of auld Aberdeen, Mean home sweet home tae me, The northern lights of Aberdeen, Are all I long to see. I've been a wanderer all of my life, And many a sight I've seen, God speed the day when I'm on my way To my home in Aberdeen. When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, My mother said to me, Come see the northern lights my boy, They're bright as they can be. She called them the heavenly dancers, They danced up in the sky, I'll never forget that wonderful sight, Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com They made the heavens bright. The northern lights of auld Aberdeen, Mean home sweet home tae me, The northern lights of Aberdeen, Are all I long to see. I've been a wanderer all of my life, And many a sight I've seen, God speed the day when I'm on my way To my home in Aberdeen. God speed the day when I'm on my way To my home in Aberdeen.

I personally am from Edinburgh, Scotland, and whilst I have been to Aberdeen I can't say that I have ever witnessed any aurora. However according to Aberdeen Live, this is what the Aberdeen aurora looks like.

Aberdeen Live