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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Andrew Smart

Scots archipelago with 'breathtaking' scenery named best for seeing Northern Lights

SHETLAND in Scotland has been named the best place in the UK to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

It comes after the Met Office predicted that the Aurora Borealis would be visible across much of Scotland and Northern England this week.

The meteorological organisation said that there is a chance of "enhanced auroral activity and aurora sighting" across the country.

It said a "significant" coronal mass ejection is possible late on October 4 and early on October 5.

Places across the UK such as Giant's Causeway and The Lake District were named among the best spots to see the Northern LightsPlaces across the UK such as Giant's Causeway and The Lake District were named among the best spots to see the Northern Lights (Image: Getty)

Shetland named the best place in the UK to see the Northern Lights

Shetland was named the best place in the UK to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights and was commended for its tranquillity.

The travel experts over at City Tours Belfast say that the lights are visible to the naked eye across much of Scotland and that the further north you go, the better your chances of seeing this spectacular phenomenon become.

With Shetland being the most northerly point in Scotland, it is the ideal location for stargazers

The island chain was praised for its "breathtaking" scenery and as a "place where you can truly breathe deeply and feel a sense of freedom."

The Northern Lights are so strong here that sightings can even be made from the archipelago's largest town Lerwick.

Sightings can sometimes be made from LerwickSightings can sometimes be made from Lerwick (Image: Getty)


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The Northern Lights were visible across Scotland – here are some of the best pictures


The best places to see the Northern Lights in the UK

These are the best places to see the Northern Lights in the UK, according to the experts.

  • Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • The Lake District, Cumbria, Northern England
  • Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland
  • Shetland Islands, Scotland

The Northern Lights could be visible over parts of Scotland and Northern England on October 5, 2024.

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