One romantic way to spend Valentine's Day is cuddling up with your partner to look at the stars.
Despite the cold, winter stargazing has its appeal - just yourself and your other half beneath the vast expanse of the heavens, warming your hands with a hot chocolate in hand or a glass of something stronger.
Not only are winter's dark nights ideal, the Met Office says Scots could have a chance to see the Northern Lights tonight. And, even better, the skies are set to be clear.
The Met Office's space weather forecast says: "A couple of possible Coronal Mass Ejection glancing blows later on 13th and during 14th may give some enhancement to the auroral oval, although this is low confidence.
"There is a chance of aurora reaching northern Scotland, and just a slight chance of reaching further south to Northern Ireland and northern England."
Fortunately, the forecast appears to be in our favour. The forecaster says: "Clear spells although probably turning cloudier/breezier in the west overnight with outbreaks of rain developing over Northern Ireland and perhaps southwest Scotland by dawn. Some patchy fog, especially southeast England."
To see the lights, it's best to head away from the cities and all of the light pollution to view the night sky – weather permitting of course.
Seven places to stargaze and see the Northern Lights
Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye
Named one of the best places in Scotland for stargazing, Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye is an area of the famous remote Scottish island well known for its natural beauty.
It's also one of the best places in the country to avoid light pollution so you're guaranteed to see thousands of stars on a clear night.
Isle of Coll
Staying in the islands, Coll, which lies just off Mull's west coast, has been designated one of the world's top Dark Sky Communities and its clear vistas of the night sky are unspoiled by light pollution.
Though you can never guarantee the weather, Coll is amongst the best for clear skies, with no high mountains to attract cloud build-up.
Guests to the island can look forward to possible glimpses of the Northern Lights as well as an unrivalled view of the Milky Way which can be seen as early as mid-August as the nights noticeably draw in.
Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
Taking the title of Europe's first Dark Sky Town, the community at Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway care very much about their stargazing prowess.
Indeed, they have even adopted special street lighting to keep light pollution to a minimum to make the stars easier to see.
As a Dark Sky Town, Moffat is one of the best places for total darkness, which means you will see more stars in the night sky than anywhere else.
Galloway Forest Park
Another place to visit in the south of Scotland, Galloway Forest Park is a great place to spot wildlife such as red squirrels in the day time and, at night, it really comes into its own with the night sky.
With the highest hills in southern Scotland, Galloway Forest Park was even the site of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory before it was tragically burned down.
Spey Valley, Cairngorms National Park
As well as spectacular star gazing, Cairngorms National Park offers one of the best places for a view of the aurora borealis. The Glenlivet Estate is the first specially designated Dark Sky Discovery Site in the park.
Campsie Glen Car Park
Just 35 minutes away from Glasgow, this car park near the Campsie Fells is perfect for escaping the street lights and getting a great view of the night sky. Take a warm jacket and a flask, as well as a chair, to enjoy the view.
Blackford Hill, Edinburgh
Home to the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, this is one of the best spots for stargazing near Edinburgh. If you can't make it that far out of the city, then a trip up Arthur's Seat is also recommended for stargazing though be sure to take torches and lamps for the walk (switch them off when you get to the summit to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark).
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