Can you see the northern lights in Scotland tonight?
Live aurora odds for Scotland — tonight's Kp versus the Kp 5.7 it needs, the Kp for each city, and where and when to look.
Tonight Scotland needs Kp 5.7; the current Kp is 3.3, so aurora odds over Scotland are low — Cosmik tracks it live, free.
🟠 Low odds over Scotland tonight
Tonight's Kp is below the Kp 5.7 Scotland needs. Set a free alert and we'll tell you when a storm brings the aurora into reach.
Kp now
3.3
Tonight max
2.7
Scotland needs
Kp 5.7
Geomag. latitude
52.73°
Live NOAA SWPC data, refreshed every 30 min. Geomagnetic latitude: AACGM-v2.
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✈ TelegramThe north of Scotland needs a noticeably lower Kp than the Central Belt: Shetland is roughly 5° of geomagnetic latitude closer to the auroral oval than Glasgow.
Kp needed across Scotland, city by city
The odds shift with your exact latitude — each city page carries its own live verdict:
| City | Needs | Tonight |
|---|---|---|
| Northern lights in Lerwick | Kp 4.2 | 🟡 Marginal |
| Northern lights in Kirkwall | Kp 4.6 | 🟠 Low |
| Northern lights in Inverness | Kp 5.1 | 🟠 Low |
| Northern lights in Aberdeen | Kp 5.3 | 🟠 Low |
| Northern lights in Edinburgh | Kp 5.7 | 🟠 Low |
| Northern lights in Glasgow | Kp 5.7 | 🟠 Low |
Where to see the aurora in Scotland
- Shetland and Orkney — the UK's best aurora ground, where the "mirrie dancers" show on moderate storms.
- The Caithness and Sutherland north coast (Dunnet Head, Thurso, Durness) — a clean northern sea horizon.
- Cairngorms National Park Dark Sky Park (Tomintoul and Glenlivet) — high, dark and central.
- Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park — the darkest skies in the south of Scotland.
- The Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides — almost no light pollution to the north.
Face north. Away from the auroral zone, the aurora shows as a glow or rays low on the northern horizon, often clearer on a phone's night mode than to the eye.
When to look
Scotland sees the northern lights during geomagnetic storms, which can come in any month but are most frequent near the equinoxes (September–October and March–April). The long, dark nights from September to March give the most chances. On the night itself, the best window is roughly 10 pm to 2 am local time; a clear sky and a moonless or late-rising Moon matter as much as the Kp. Aurora forecasts are probabilities — a chance, never a promise.
Northern lights in Scotland — FAQ
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Scotland?
Unlikely: tonight's Kp is 3.3, below the Kp 5.7 Scotland needs. A free Cosmik alert emails you the moment the forecast reaches it. Updated every 30 minutes from NOAA SWPC data.
Can you see the northern lights in Scotland?
Yes, on the right night. Scotland needs the planetary Kp index to reach about Kp 5.7 for the aurora to show from a dark site with a clear northern horizon, and less further north — Lerwick needs Kp 4.2. That happens during geomagnetic storms; the live odds above tell you before you drive out.
What Kp do you need to see the aurora in Scotland?
Around 5.7 for Scotland as a whole, from its geomagnetic latitude (52.73°, AACGM-v2). By city: Lerwick Kp 4.2, Kirkwall Kp 4.6, Inverness Kp 5.1, Aberdeen Kp 5.3, Edinburgh Kp 5.7, Glasgow Kp 5.7. The higher your geomagnetic latitude, the lower the Kp you need.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights in Scotland?
Shetland and Orkney — the UK's best aurora ground, where the "mirrie dancers" show on moderate storms. In general: as far north as you can get, away from light pollution, with an unobstructed view to the north.
When is the best time to see the aurora in Scotland?
Between about 10 pm and 2 am local time, on a clear, moonless night. Scotland sees the northern lights during geomagnetic storms, which can come in any month but are most frequent near the equinoxes (September–October and March–April). The long, dark nights from September to March give the most chances.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Scotland?
North. From Scotland the auroral oval lies toward the north magnetic pole, so the aurora appears low on the northern horizon first. Pick a spot with an open northward view, away from city lights — your phone's night mode picks up glow your eyes miss.
Aurora forecast elsewhere in the UK
- All of the UK
- England Kp 7
- Wales Kp 7.4
- Northern Ireland Kp 6.2
