Northern lights

[Cogcog]

Anybody in Scotland who gets to see the Northern Lights on a regular basis? Advice on a good location and time to see them would be appreciated.

A family friend who has terminal cancer wanted to see them before he goes. But as we know they don't always play ball when you visit. We wanted to give him the best chance of seeing them. The other option is Scandanavia or Iceland but logitstically that may be difficult with time..

I have friends in SW and Eastern Scotand who do see them but not often and quite irregualrly.

[Cogcog]

craig1912 said:

Think you are going to struggle in the summer months. Icelands “season” is September to April and even then not guaranteed.

I think/hope he is good until Autmn/Winter.

[Cogcog]

Snow and Rocks said:

I live in rural Aberdeenshire and do see them from time to time but certainly not with enough regularity to plan a visit around.

You won't see them in the summer as it doesn't really get dark at the moment so you're looking at maybe September onwards. I think Iceland or Northern Scandinavia would be your best bet.

Thanks, one option they were thinking aboiut was a autumn/winter cruise to Scandy but parts of Scotland are supposed to be on the same latitude as parts of Norway.

[Cogcog]

LimaDelta said:

Have you considered a night flight?

https://www.travelfox.co.uk/special-interest/north...

That looks a good option. Obvs you cant sit and do it in a hot tub or from a skidoo on a flight but I gues sthe view would be fab.

[Cogcog]

Snow and Rocks said:

I'm not convinced that even Shetland is far enough North to make it a guaranteed thing. It's also probably just as easy to fly to Iceland or Tromso etc!

I think they would do that oif he is well enough. Do you know how probable it is to se ethe NL in say Iceland?

[Cogcog]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

I've worked up at Dounreay many times in winter... Just about as far north the UK gets. Think I've seen them once whilst up there.

You really need to be Arctic circle to see them with some level of likelihood. I was in Levi in Finland and saw them once in a week... Which was typical by all accounts. The 'show' was spectacular, but not something I'd make special visit for if I'm honest.

Just be aware, -20 to - 40 darkness temps may be challenging for someone terminally ill.

That is a very good point.

[Cogcog]

Sounds like Scotland s too hit and miss. Like the flight idea if they give a higher chance, albeit throuhgh an aircraft window