Stargazers in Scotland are set to be treated to spectacular views of shooting stars which will streak across the night sky this month.
Both the φ-Cassiopeid and the Puppid-Velid meteor showers will be visible in December, caused by the Earth slamming into debris left behind by a comet.
In Scotland, certain places where the sky is at is darkest could be treated to a stunning show of shooting stars which are set to be visible until December 15 - if the weather remains clear.
The φ-Cassiopeids will be active until December 8 and is visible whenever the shower's radiant point is above the horizon, with the number of meteors increasing the higher it is in the sky.
From Scotland, the shower will be active throughout the night and is likely produce its best displays in the hours around 9pm, when its radiant point is highest.
Meanwhile, stargazers can catch a glimpse of the Puppid-Velids until the middle of the month, with the best conditions to go stargazing straight after the new moon on December 14 when there is little brightness in the sky.
Meteor showers arise when the Earth passes through streams of debris left behind in the wake of comets and asteroids.
Luckily for us, Scotland's ink-black skies offer some of the best conditions for eager stargazers and has a handful of recognised Dark Sky Places, meaning thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye due to low levels of pollution.
Campervan rental platform UKCaravans4Hire.com has complied a list of 55 of the best spots across Scotland where avid star-gazers can catch a glimpse.
These areas include observatories, officially recognised dark sky locations and recommended sites, according to data by Go Stargazing.
55 best spots for stargazing in Scotland
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Stirling Highland Hotel Observatory
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Gallan Head – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Gravir – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Hushinish – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Isle of Coll – Arinagour
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Isle of Tiree – Balephuil Beach
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Lower Shader – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Scalpay – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Tolsta – Isle of Lewis and Harris
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Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford, Isle of Skye
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Castlehill Heritage Centre, Caithness
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Clan Donald, Armadale
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Glen Canisp, Lochinver, Sutherland
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Isle of Coll – Arinagour
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Isle of Coll – Cliad Football Pitch
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Isle of Coll – RSPB Totronald
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Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory, Culloden Battlefield, Culloden Moor
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Kinloch Forest, Isle of Skye
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Knockbreck, Gillen
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Kylerhea
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Leitir Easaidh, Lochinver
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Stein Jetty, Isle of Skye
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The Putechan Hotel, Bellochantuy, Argyll,
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Trumpan Car Park, Isle of Skye
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Walk and Wild - Melvaig, Wester Ross
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Abriachan Forest Trust, Abriachan, Inverness
Corgarff Castle Car Park, Corgarff, Strathdon
Gleconglass Car Park, Ballindalloch, Tomintoul
Glenlivet Blairfindy, Ballindalloch
RSPB Forsinard, Forsinard
Slains Castle Car Park, Cruden Bay, Errolston
The Carrachs, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch
The Field of Hope Car Park, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch
The Well of Lecht Car Park, Tomintoul
Edinburgh Playfair Observatory, Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill
Ettrick Marshes, Tima Water Car Park, Selkirk, TD7 5HY
Megget Reservoir Dam, Cappercleuch, Selkirk,
Mills Observatory, Balgay Park, Dundee
St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve, Northfield, Eyemouth
St Andrews Observatory, University of St Andrews
Airdrie Observatory, Airdrie
Alemoor Reservoir
Roberton, Hawick
Bruce’s Stone, Loch Trool, Near Bargrennan
Caldrons Woodlands, Loch Trool, Glentrool
Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, Near New Galloway
Coats Observatory, Paisley Museum, Paisley
Kirroughtree Forest Visitor Centre, Newton Stewart
Loch Braden, Galloway Forest Park, Tallaminnock
Loch Doon Castle, Craigmalloch
Moffat Dark Sky Town, Dumfries & Galloway
Morton Castle and Loch, Thornhill, Dumfries
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, Craigengillan Lodge, Dalmellington, East Ayrshire
St Medans Beach Car Park, Monreith, Isle of Whithorn
Gareth Irving, director of UKCaravans4Hire.com commented: “With new lockdown restrictions limiting what activities families can do together and where they can travel, many are turning to new hobbies and local surroundings to keep entertained.
"Enjoying your local area and taking in the natural beauty is something many of us take for granted, especially when it’s right on our doorstep.
“Activities such as stargazing present an opportunity to explore our local areas in a new and immersive way, matching many people’s desire to improve their health and wellbeing whilst discovering the outdoors and getting closer to nature.
“It’s great to see just how many perfect stargazing spots there are as well as how many local authorities are now promoting their parks and outdoor spaces as stargazing spots.
"As autumn and winter present ideal stargazing conditions, there no better time for Brits to head out and stare at the stars, especially now that winter getaways are on hold.”
