aurora borialis where to go to see them

[stephenbellini]

Hi all so far ive mannaged to find the best time of year to see the northern lights, (october or april) BUT?? having to stay in uk where in scotland is the best place to be. Obviously as far north as possible but where in scotland is it pitch black at night with a good camp site. Anyone got a recomendation, were using a c15 hilo so (as im sure many of you are aware : relativly smooth torain is preferable last hilly torain i went to well? lets just say i was glad of the local trackter haha.
all recomendations greatly acepted thanks
stephebbellini

[maryinoxford]

I can't suggest a place, but if you want dark skies, remember to avoid the time of full moon.
Mary

[alan]

The only place I have ever seen the northern lights was on Orkney. A bit expensive to get over there though.

[sandwoodfolk]

Hi

I don't think that the darkness of the night matters as I gather the best times are September to October and March to April. The northern night skies are too light to get much of a show in mid-summer. Some websites suggest cold frosty nights, when our Romahome is not likely to be out and about! Google "where to see aurora borealis in UK" for ideas.

Generally, the further north, the better, but I gather you can see them from Inverness.

If you can face the travelling to the far north (long way, but pretty good and almost deserted roads), campsites at Scourie and Durness on the Sutherland coast should both get good views of the aurora borealis.

We have never yet seen it, but tend to go up north in May and September. Good hunting!

Paul

[djsooz]

Hi,

This may not be much help in your search for the aurora but I've been lucky enough to see it quite a few times.

I was born and raised in a small village in the north of Perthshire. My Dad was into astronomy and got me hooked at a very young age. He had a small telescope and begun my life long fascination by showing me the craters on the moon and a good view of Saturn. Can you imagine what that was like for a kid? I was thrilled - especially when Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. I was allowed to stay up and watch it on tv and tried to see them through the telescope ;D (yes I'm that old!) Anyway I saw the Aurora several times there - my Dad knowing how much I loved it used to wake me up to see it even if I was asleep

The best times, I seem to remember, were late spring/early summer. I think we also saw it in winter once. The last time I saw it was in early summer on a quiet - and quite dark - campsite on the Moray coast some years ago. (I live in a city now so light pollution makes it immpossible). The campsite I saw it from is at Sandend near Cullen. Virtually no light pollution there and even if you don't see the aurora the views of the stars are amazing on a good summer night. (It's one of those where you feel you could literally reach out and touch them

Its like most natural things - its a bit hit and miss. I would head for a Scottish campsite outside of a town to eliminate light pollution and get at as far north as you can (at least the north end of Perthshire but peferably further). I would avoid the west coast as I hear its rarely seen there cos of cloud cover.

Other people might have different experiences though so don't take mine as gospel!

I hope you get to see it as it is brilliant, especially when you get all the colours.


Good Luck,

Sooz.