Aurora Borealis

Has anybody here ever seen the northern lights in person from Scotland?? I've read that winter is the time to see them and since I'm getting a tent for Christmas I'm trying to plan a trip to Scotland in January but I have never been Scotland before at all and I'm guessing I need to go very far north but the other night on wild Britain Ray Mears was north of the scottish highlands and it was vast bogs for miles in every direction well I can't camp on a bog
Should we drive or get the train I don't know really know where to start coz I don't know Scotland

 

Enrol in an astronomy forum

To find out when the Sunspot activity is at its best for Aurora activity. Believe me not all Scotland is bogs ! Go by train and best wishes, send back some good snaps. Cheers, Tony.

 

I use this site H,

SOLARHAM.com / SOLARCYCLE 24.com / Solar Cycle 24 / Spaceweather / Amateur Radio VHF Aurora Website / Sunspots / Solar Flares

Not been that far north, but I think you'll need more than just a tent for sleeping out in January. Full Arctic gear springs to mind.

 

Thanks Ziggy.
The weather can't stop me though! :D

 

here in cambridge, if a yellow sphere is visible in the sky during the day, women and children scream in panic, hide in their wardrobes as they think it's a UFO

same at night ....we seldom see the moon .... it's always overcast ... so this part of the world will seldom see northern lights

 

Very rare in the central belt,
You would need to be right up north, for even a chance and then no gurantee whatsoever

You would be best using your car, or at least use the train and hire a car, as there is no real public transport to move you about
Taking your change in January as you would most probably need a 4x4

Ziggy's info best Arctic conditions, you need to keep well wrapped up

I have lived in Fife 40yrs and seen them ONCE for a limited time due to cloud

Seen them on specialist cruises a couple of times

Travelling by car why not go the whole hog and ferry to Orkneys

Jack McHammocklashing

 

Good advice there H from someone that knows the conditions. Don't want you to come back and start posting in the haunted Forum on account of being Dead.

We got enough ghosts in there already.

 

Thanks for putting that into perspective for me Jack. I just kinda thought it would be as simple as going really far north on a clear day and setting up a tent and then wait for the show but the more I look into it the more less likely it seems possible lol
I think I seen somewhere on the net where you can get a plane flight to see them but like you said there is no gurantee but I don't like flying would want to see them from the ground

 

This is something I've been planning to do as soon as the lad is a bit older and more durable.

My dad used to take many winter hols in northern Scotland when he was a young man. When I discussed my plans with him he was absolutely serious in the advice he gave me. Basically, he described a full blown survival scenario.

Among the advice he gave me was the following:
* Plenty of warm clothes and blankets in the car.
* A couple of days worth of spare food and water in the car.
* High visibility gear etc.

The reasoning for the above bits was that if the car breaks down or gets stuck in snow, it could be more than a few hours before the RAC get through to get us out (things might have changed a bit since he was young though, I find it hard to imagine that anywhere in the UK can get so serious these days).

He also said:
* Don't even think about staying in a tent. Get a B&B in a nice cosy cottage somewhere.
* When venturing into rural parts in mid winter, make sure someone knows where you're heading and what time you're expected back.
* Again, take enough food, drink and warm clothes to sustain you for a couple of days in case you get snowed in somewhere.

He also had a very serious warning about hypothermia. I believe this one since I once end up with hypothermia myself:(

You don't feel it happening. We've all experienced the cold, and we all know its bitter and horrible. So you'd expect that if you're in it for even longer, or its even colder, then you'd get that same cold sensation but worse. It doesn't work like that. You actually start to feel comfortable again, quite relaxed in fact. Then you just start to feel tired and sleepy. Then you can't think straight, sort of like how clever your brain is when you've literally just woken up, you know like when you wake up and sometimes for a few seconds you can't remember where you are.

So make sure you're well wrapped up and well fed, and if you feel cold, you're probably ok. If you feel cold and then you start to feel comfortable, but logical tells you its still bitterly cold out, then just get moving and get warmed up.

 

For a clearer display of the natural phenomenon Aurora Borealis you will need to go as far north in Scotland as you can. I have seen many a dazzling display but these were in Norway and Finland. If you see it on a clear still night,quiet no wind, you will also hear the the buzzing, crackling noises coming from the Aurora Borealis, it can be a very exciting display.
Remember to take your camera with you to capture the Aurora Borealis display..

I don't fancy camping in a tent in January up north as it can be VERY VERY COLD.
There are Log Cabins for hire up north,if you go on line you should find some for hire in the area you require..
As regards to travel options ,the train is good, it all depends where you are going to stay,
' is there a railway station close to your destination' ?.' do you require to travel for miles from the station' ? etc etc. i think the car would be a better bet to get there if the weather permits.
Just plan your journey ahead ,it can save you a lot of hassle. hope you have a nice time.