Aurora Borealis

potty64 | 01:33 Fri 05th Nov 2010 | Travel

19 Answers

I would love to try and see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) BUT! I don't want to fly anywhere! I know they may be be seen in January/Feb in Norway but the sea can get pretty rough an' all then! What's the chances of seeing them in Scotland? (Long drive!) Shall check for 'answers tomorro! Night night!

Euro 1.12 today

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gen2

I've lived here (Scotland) for over 40 years and only seen them once ( and that wasn't particularly spectacular). I'm afraid you will have lots of long drives if that is your plan.

snags

''The Far North of Scotland has the same latitude as Moscow (Russia) and Stavenger (Norway) but is more easily accessible. It's advantage of Northern latitude along with the complete absence of street lamps mean regular sightings of the Northern lights "Aurora Borealis".

The best time to see the Northern lights are the crisp, clear winter nights from October through to the end of March between 10 pm and 3 am.''

Barmaid

I saw them in Lincolnshire once. Nearly crapped myself, thought the aliens were landing.

dzug2

I don't think there are any ferries to Norway these days either. Not from England anyway

You can drive there without ever setting foot on a boat though

-- answer removed --

jno

you can still get from Harwich to Esbjerg, which is a start

Bbbananas

Barmaid - that was no borealis - that was me coming down from heaven. I'm always surrounded by a halo of green light ;-)

jno

doc, start by getting on Le Shuttle. There are roads the rest of the way.

seadogg

You can get some clues by checking websites about solar activity and its ionising effect on earth's atmosphere. Then, at least its a sporting chance of seeing them.
http://www.facts-abou...ce-aurora-borealis.ht will give you a start. Good luck.

KARL

To see the phenomenon in anything than a very feeble form you need to go further north than anywhere in Scotland. Those who have seen the lights in places like northern Norway, Iceland, northern Canada, Alaska, etc. will testify that at their best they are a truly jaw-dropping and utterly unforgettable sight. I urge you to either overcome your opposition to flying (e,g, Iceland is a little longer flight from Glasgow than it is from there to London) or else make a long journey by surface means.

mrs_overall

Why dont you want to fly?
If you can stand a 3 hour flight, Omega Travel do 3 hour flights from all regional airports in Dec, Jan & Feb. You dont land anaywhere, just fly in Norwegian airspace to see them.
I've done this trip before and I'm taking the kids on the trip in January.
You get an hours talk from an astronomer before the flight & refreshements on the flight.
If you want to check it out, ring for their brochure 08451556723

razza

Apparently they have been seen as far south as Portugal,I have never seen them,either when I lived in Yorkshire or now in Nottinghamshire.I have looked for them on a regular basis too.

mrs_overall

I've seen them in this country once - in the Orkneys and for about 10 seconds

potty64

Question Author

Thanks all for advice. Looks like I'll have to over come my fear of flying as Scotland doesn't look too promising! Mind you, the idea of a little log cabin way up in the north of bonnie Scotland away from 'civilisation' appeals even if those spectacular 'lights' don't appear (tho' a little drink may make them seem to appear!!