Scottish people....

[Bushwhacker]

I'll keep it short. Scotland, northern lights, winter, if possible/if it happens, where's the best place to go? Shoestring budget too! Obviously well aware of the science behind it, but anything to shorten the odds locationwise would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Toddy]

North East.

It's generally clearer and drier that side of the country, and the further north you go the better your chances of seeing the dancers

We very, very occasionally see the lights down here, further up, you're more likely to have better luck.

Do you want campsites, or just areas ?

atb,
M

 

[kiltedpict]

I have seen excellent displays in Aberdeen City but none so far out on Banchory

I get email alerts from Aurora Watch when there is increased magnetic activity...

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/

If you get to Orkney or even better Shetland, that would be good, but appreciate your on a budget.

 

[Goatboy]

Northern Lights can be seen down as far as Perthshire - but not very often. More frequent the further North you go. Aberdeen is at a fairly regular latitude for it. Up on the Northern Islands can be pretty spectacular. Like Caithness coast & Orkney. But not a cheap place to get too. Though if you want to mix it with spectacular scenery and more archaeology per square mile than anywhere in Europe a shoe in. Think Northern Lights over Skara Brae or Ring of Brodgar and due to lack of light pollution fantastically clear. January is generally the best time and prices are down. Though winter storms can make getting there "interesting". These guys LINK can "forecast" when sightings are likely and contact you if you subscribe. Though never guaranteed. Also watch the news and the likes for sun spot activity.

Hope this helps a bit?

ATB,
GB.

 

[Bushwhacker]

North East.

It's generally clearer and drier that side of the country, and the further north you go the better your chances of seeing the dancers

We very, very occasionally see the lights down here, further up, you're more likely to have better luck.

Do you want campsites, or just areas ?

atb,
M

Either/either please, Mary. This is for a friend of mine who asked. I reckon b&b would be best, but not adverse to setting up a bivvy/campfire to sit out somewhere for a few hours if possible.

 

[sandbender]

I saw some quite spectacular displays on Lismore once (a little north of Oban), that would have been early May I think. In fact those were more memorable than ones which I saw in Arctic Sweden in January. However I think Toddy is correct, east coat and the further north the better.

 

[Pandabean]

I get some displays where I am in the North East and it helps that I am well away from the larger towns and Aberdeen. Last ones I have seen have been faint but I seemed to have missed the time. But none the less it was great to watch a faint curtain dance across the sky.
The further north the better providing the weather stays clear.

The link that Stuart provided above is great for alerts.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Thank you folks, very helpful. Always best to ask a yokel or whatever you call them up there!

 

[greensurfingbear]

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/

Its awesome you get an email with amber and red alerts. Where I am in North Ayrshire Id only see the red alerts I think it is. But whenever I get the email I always cast an eye heavenwards to see if I'll be in luck

 

[Goatboy]

Thank you folks, very helpful. Always best to ask a yokel or whatever you call them up there!

Teuchters or tumshie crunchers

Well here on the North East anyway

 

[Bushwhacker]

Teuchters or tumshie crunchers

Well here on the North East anyway

Haha! Cheers. I read that in my head, in the voice of Frankie Boyle.

 

[Pandabean]

Not heard of tumshies even though I grew up in Falkirk. Guess its a term used even further south?

Loved the quote on that website by the way:

" See him, he's a richt tumshie- bought the Forth Bridge for scrap as he wis tell't they're building a fifth ain!"

 

[Goatboy]

Haha! Cheers. I read that in my head, in the voice of Frankie Boyle.

Did you know that he's on hunger strike at the moment? ( A Weegie not eating his Tunnocks Wafer... unbelievable) LINK.

 

[Goatboy]

Not heard of tumshies even though I grew up in Falkirk. Guess its a term used even further south?

Loved the quote on that website by the way:

" See him, he's a richt tumshie- bought the Forth Bridge for scrap as he wis tell't they're building a fifth ain!"

Must say I always thought it was more Doric, but it's seemingly a lowlands word. A good one though.

 

[Pandabean]

I have been up here 10 years now and I am still getting used to Doric. Some of it is catching though like the fits, the fa's and the fans.
Does help now that I work with someone that has a real strong Doric accent.

 

[Toddy]

S'alright though, Tunnock's is closed for the Fair Fortnight ....except they have three weeks iirc

M

 

[Bushwhacker]

Did you know that he's on hunger strike at the moment? ( A Weegie not eating his Tunnocks Wafer... unbelievable) LINK.

He must be gagging for a salad (chips) by now.

 

[Pete11]

I do a bit of Astronomy . Aurora has been seen ( though very feint ) as far South as Newcastle, believe it or not. Best images I have ever seen ( in UK ) are by another astronomer/photographer who lives in Caithness ( Thurso , IIRC ) You ideally want to get away from light pollution, so further North the better. As you now the science I'll skip the x class flares ! HTH.

Pete

Edit, eeek , need to reset the layout of thread, I thought you had no replies before mine !

 

[filcon]

Don,t be stealing our midges

 

[Marco1981]

I live in Orkney, but have yet to see them fully after four years. All I have seen of them is a faint wavy blue haze. Still waiting for the full effect.