We’re firmly in Northern Lights season.
And if you haven’t seen the stunning aurora borealis in person yet, you’re in luck — 2024 is one of the best years to witness them.
But not everyone can afford to jet set across the globe to see the phenomenon, so where in the UK is best to see the Northern Lights?
When Metro spoke to travel experts Giovanni Hashimoto and Alex Kallen to find out the best areas to catch a glimpse, it became clear that the Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland were among the best UK locations to see the lights in 2024. We’ve narrowed it down to the best four places, so you can enjoy your staycation in full…
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Located on the Scottish western coast, every stargazer worth their salt knows that the Isle of Skye is an ideal spot for the Northern Lights.
The rugged landscape will make you feel like you’re in your Wuthering Heights era, and because it has minimal light pollution, it’s one of the best places to capture the aurora.
To get to the Isle of Skye, you can travel via land, sea, or air. There is a direct train from Glasgow to Mallaig train station, and from there you can take the CallMac ferry to Armadale — which is situated on the Isle itself.
Or, if you prefer flying, the nearest airport is Benbecula (BEB) Airport, which is 44.2 miles away.
Shetland and Orkney Islands, Scotland
Giovanni recommends the Shetland and Orkney Islands, noting how they can offer some ‘pretty stellar views’ if the conditions are right.
The two archipelagos are situated in Northern Scotland, and if you want to make the most of your trip, there’s a 90-minute ferry linking them together.
If you’re coming from Aberdeen and Kirkwall, there’s a ferry link directly to Orkney, while the nearest train station and airport are Thurso and Kirkwall respectively.
Top Northern Lights destinations for 2024, according to Expedia
- Lapland, Finland
- Churchill, Canada
- Rovaniemi, Finland
- Narvik, Norway
- Kirkenes, Norway
- Kálfafell, Iceland
- Inari, Finland
- Abisko, Sweden
- Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Tromsø, Norway
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Cairngorms National Park is one of the largest parks in the UK. Tucked away in the Scottish Highlands, it offers a lot of open space and a feeling of overall peace and tranquility.
In a statement to Metro, Alex mentioned how Cairngorms provides ‘vast expanses of wilderness and minimal light pollution,’ making it perfect for stargazing.
Specifically, Tomintoul and Glenlivet are the best places to catch the Northern Lights, as they both boast the title of ‘International Dark Sky Park.’
The nearest airports are Inverness and Aberdeen, which are half-hour drives away.
Carrick-a-Rede, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
According to Alex, the ‘far reaches of Northern Ireland stand out for providing optimal conditions for this celestial spectacle,’ and there’s nowhere further than Carrick-a-Rede.
Based in County Atrim, Carrick-a-Rede is arguably most famous for its rope bridge which links the mainland to Carrickarede — a tiny island that makes the perfect stargazing spot. And no, it’s not the same thing as Carrick-a-Rede.
It’s nearest airport is Campbeltown (CAL) Airport, which is 28.6 miles away.
What’s the best time of year to see the Northern Light?
According to our experts, the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in the UK is during the winter months; or more specifically, between September and March.
‘This period offers the longest nights and the darkest skies, creating the perfect canvas for the auroras to paint their magical display,’ Alex added.
‘The key to an unforgettable experience lies in choosing clear, cloudless nights, as they significantly enhance the visibility of these dancing lights across the sky.’
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