If you were lucky enough to be in a good spot on Sunday night, you may have been one of the many lucky people across Scotland to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
From Argyll to Loch Lomond to Edinburgh, the night sky across the country was dazzling. While people in northern England and Wales also spotted the aurora, Scotland's display is said to have been the best in the UK.
Don't worry if you were not able to see the amazing lights, however, as the Met Office has revealed that they are "likely" to be seen again tonight. While it is hard to say exactly where they will be most prominent, there are certain spots of Scotland where you have a better chance of witnessing the natural wonder.
Read on for a roundup of some of the best spots in Scotland to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Shetland
Generally speaking, the further north you are, the more likely you are to see the Northern Lights. Therefore, people on Shetland can often see the phenomena in the sky on clear winter nights.
Orkney
Similarly to Shetland, Orkney's northern location makes the archipelago a prime spot to see the Aurora Borealis. Known locally as the Merry Dancers, they have dazzled onlookers on the islands for centuries due to their low levels of light pollution and unobstructed views.
Outer Hebrides
With a northern location and very low levels of light pollution, the islands of the Outer Hebrides are among the absolute best places in Scotland to head if you want to see the lights. Lewis, Harris, Uist, and Barra all offer some of the darkest skies in the UK, and are known as prime viewing spots.
Cairngorms National Park
Again known for having little light pollution, the Cairngorms National Park is a perfect spot to glimpse the Northern Lights. Within the Cairngorms, Glenlivet Estate is regarded as a particularly good place to see the lights due to its status as a Dark Sky Discovery Site—meaning there it has exceptionally dark night skies.
Galloway Forest Park
While, the further north you are, the better chance you have of seeing the Aurora Borealis, Galloway Forest Park in the Scottish Borders also offers favourable conditions. This is because, like Glenlivet Estate, it has been designated a Dark Sky Park and so has very little light pollution.
Edinburgh
While it may surprise you to see Edinburgh on this list, given that low levels of light pollution are generally required to see the Northern Lights, the stunning display has been known to appear in skies above the capital—including on Sunday night. Among the best spots in the city to catch a glimpse are Calton Hill, Blackford Hill and Arthur's Seat.
Moray Coast
The 50-mile stretch of coastline in northeastern Scotland is regarded as one of the best places in the country to see the Northern Lights. In particular, the beach from Findhorn to Burghead is a popular observing spot due to its uninterrupted views and low light pollution.
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