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Aurora hunting in Scotland
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Hello everyone,
Uncertain whether this is the appropriate platform for posting,but taking my chances here.
I'm planning to experience the Northern Lights during the Christmas week in various parts of Scotland. I've downloaded apps for predictions and coordinates, but based on my past experiences, I've observed many real time inaccuracies with app-based tools. Seeking valuable insights from individuals who have firsthand experience in this endeavor. Appreciate your help in advance.
Thanks. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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This may not be the most useful of advice but I’ve seen the northern lights from Wales countless times.
Basically 5am, clearing in dense forest.
I have a feeling it’s always there to see in winter but you need to dim out the earth light. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hello everyone,
Uncertain whether this is the appropriate platform for posting,but taking my chances here.
I'm planning to experience the Northern Lights during the Christmas week in various parts of Scotland. I've downloaded apps for predictions and coordinates, but based on my past experiences, I've observed many real time inaccuracies with app-based tools. Seeking valuable insights from individuals who have firsthand experience in this endeavor. Appreciate your help in advance.
Thanks. "
Aberfeldy seems to be a hot sport for sighting. Some incredible images from locals up there. R |
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Hi, Ive used Aurora watch app for several years its very good. what youll find is it gives accurate predictions for about 6 hrs ahead ish. Equally important is a good weather forecast, and clear dark skies to the north of where ever you plan to watch from. Also remember its often visible but not to the eye, a camera lens on longish exposure may capture it. ive often looked never seen or captured it but Iam midlands so hey ho...good luck |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"This may not be the most useful of advice but I’ve seen the northern lights from Wales countless times.
Basically 5am, clearing in dense forest.
I have a feeling it’s always there to see in winter but you need to dim out the earth light."
That's an useful information. Next time will keep in mind while planning my trip. Thanks much. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"There’s a few dark skies areas in Dumfries and Galloway. We’ve seen them twice round here, very faint but definitely there.
Also found the camera pics up more than you can see with them too "
I am keeping my trip flexible so that I can travel to places based on the predictions. Dumfries and Gallows are definitely on the hotlist. Thank you so much for your suggestions. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Hello everyone,
Uncertain whether this is the appropriate platform for posting,but taking my chances here.
I'm planning to experience the Northern Lights during the Christmas week in various parts of Scotland. I've downloaded apps for predictions and coordinates, but based on my past experiences, I've observed many real time inaccuracies with app-based tools. Seeking valuable insights from individuals who have firsthand experience in this endeavor. Appreciate your help in advance.
Thanks.
Aberfeldy seems to be a hot sport for sighting. Some incredible images from locals up there. R"
That's a good info. Thank you. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Hi, Ive used Aurora watch app for several years its very good. what youll find is it gives accurate predictions for about 6 hrs ahead ish. Equally important is a good weather forecast, and clear dark skies to the north of where ever you plan to watch from. Also remember its often visible but not to the eye, a camera lens on longish exposure may capture it. ive often looked never seen or captured it but Iam midlands so hey ho...good luck"
I am depending mostly on the app. Thanks for your feedback mate. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Shetland is a brilliant place to see them "
I will research about that more and already have out Shetland into my hotlist. Thanks for the lovely idea. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This may not be the most useful of advice but I’ve seen the northern lights from Wales countless times.
Basically 5am, clearing in dense forest.
I have a feeling it’s always there to see in winter but you need to dim out the earth light.
That's a useful information. Next time will keep in mind while planning my trip. Thanks much. "
Should’ve said I only ever saw them in winter.
I lived in forest, near the ugly house in Betws y coed and 5am was get up to work time.
Through winter I probably saw the lights once every 1-3 weeks.
As soon as you left the forest they magically blended into the sky. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"This may not be the most useful of advice but I’ve seen the northern lights from Wales countless times.
Basically 5am, clearing in dense forest.
I have a feeling it’s always there to see in winter but you need to dim out the earth light.
That's a useful information. Next time will keep in mind while planning my trip. Thanks much.
Should’ve said I only ever saw them in winter.
I lived in forest, near the ugly house in Betws y coed and 5am was get up to work time.
Through winter I probably saw the lights once every 1-3 weeks.
As soon as you left the forest they magically blended into the sky."
Darker the better. Haha. I have a penchant for darker things anyway.  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I know nothing about this but if you’re taking pictures of it with and iPhone you should turn the exposure up on the camera and it makes the pictures much more impressive."
That's an useful information. Thank you. I checked out some of the YouTube tutorials how to manage exposure for capturing Northern lights. If I click few I will definitely post here. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"You need absolute darkness as they can be a weak light show
Often showing up best on a camera rather than naked eye.
They are more miss that anything as you need so many conditions to be oerfect"
Those apps actually calculates all the KPIs including darkness, overcast conditions, magnetic field etc and then gives a prediction by co-ordinates. Thank you for feedback. |
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By *izzy.Woman
over a year ago
Stoke area |
I was unlucky to miss them whilst on the West Coast of Scotland in September. Other people on Scourie campsite saw them, anywhere between 11pm and 2am seemed to be the optimum time. Clear skies and no light pollution. Good luck |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I was unlucky to miss them whilst on the West Coast of Scotland in September. Other people on Scourie campsite saw them, anywhere between 11pm and 2am seemed to be the optimum time. Clear skies and no light pollution. Good luck "
Thank you so much. I don't want to miss. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Can I just say that most pics you see online are probably filtered. A phone pops the colours so much more than you can see with a naked eye
J x"
That's so true. So is same for the galaxy and starry night pictures too. |
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Best of luck for a start.
You’ve got your apps, and you’ve done your research as to where you’re going to get the darkest skies and you’ve remembered to face North away from any inhabited areas, great. Now you just need a break with the weather and some shit to go down on the surface of the sun and you’re golden.
Being the old romantic that I am a few years ago I decided that I would much rather see the Northern Lights from the UK than travel abroad. So, hoping to combine it with the Up heelly aa Viking festival I drove up from Liverpool to Aberdeen be hopped on a 16 hour ferry to the Shetlands last week of January Magnetic variance off the chart but a full week of cloud down to the floor, horizontal drizzle and 40mph winds meant no chance at all.
Despite the planning it’s all luck basically. I hope yours is better than mine |
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"Hi, Ive used Aurora watch app for several years its very good. what youll find is it gives accurate predictions for about 6 hrs ahead ish. Equally important is a good weather forecast, and clear dark skies to the north of where ever you plan to watch from. Also remember its often visible but not to the eye, a camera lens on longish exposure may capture it. ive often looked never seen or captured it but Iam midlands so hey ho...good luck"
I have this app. Got an Amber alert a couple of days ago. It was raining so I didn't bother. That's the problem - weather makes most potential sightings improbable |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The Hello Aurora app is great for when they’re up and also tells you where nearby has lighter cloud cover. Sign up for Aurora Alerts UK too. Both Helped me see them even in the Midlands (via camera). In Scotland I saw them on Skye. Good luck. |
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But seriously, good luck in witnessing the majestic light show 
