With its stunning scenery and open skies, the Isle of Skye is one of the best places in Scotland to see the stunning Northern Lights. Of course, you do need clear skies and not clouds, which is often the main reason you might miss out on what's shown here!
However, weather and conditions can change quickly, so if you're prepared, you'll be ready to go if you have the chance to see the Aurora on Skye.
You can't think of this as a must-do on Isle of Skye in winter, but with high activity expected for the 2024/2025 season, it's worth checking out on a clear night to see if there's anything visible.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your Aurora hunting adventure on the Isle of Skye!
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are natural light displays caused by collisions of solar particles with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates colorful, twinkling lights that dance across the sky in shades of green, pink, purple and red.
Seeing them in person is unforgettable, especially in such a remote and beautiful setting as Skye.
The Isle of Skye is far enough north that we have regular displays, but they are not always clearly visible to the naked eye, nor are they as visible as in places like Iceland or Norway.
However, since I moved to Skye I have seen them all easily with the naked eye at least three times and there have been some absolutely stunning performances!
Best time of year to see the Northern Lights on Skye
The best time to see the Northern Lights on Skye is September to March. During these months, the nights are longer and darker, giving you a higher chance of witnessing the aurora if conditions are right. Especially in winter, when the skies are at their darkest, this is ideal, but the weather is unpredictable and clouds can obscure your view.
While the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, the key is to look for them clear, dark sky And check the aurora forecast for increased solar activity. Apps and websites like AuroraWatch UK or the Glendale app can alert you when your chances of seeing an aurora are higher.
It's impossible to predict the Northern Lights in advance. If there has been strong solar activity recently, they may be able to tell a day in advance or earlier, but you'll be relying on the conditions working in your favor.
Top tips for viewing the Northern Lights on the Isle of Skye
Choose a dark, remote place
The more isolation and no light pollution, the better! To be honest, we were lucky that although there was a bit of light pollution where we lived, it was not in the usual direction of the Northern Lights and we could easily get away from it.
It's not always easy to get to darker places quickly. Cover your eyes and any photography equipment and see if you can see anything.
looking northHour
The Northern Lights, as the name suggests, are most commonly seen in the northern sky. Find a location where you can clearly see that direction.
Sometimes the auroras are closer to the horizon, sometimes higher up on Skye. If you are particularly strong, you can even face the top of your head.
While north is the most common, try northeast or even slightly northwest, as it can sometimes change.
Check the weather
Clear skies are crucial. Check the local weather forecast and focus on nights when clear skies are expected.
Even if it's cloudy, it's worth checking how thick the clouds are and whether they are occasionally blowing through. Some of the most beautiful Northern Lights I have ever seen on Skye are in the clouds!
Be patient and prepared
Sometimes auroras appear quickly, but usually you have to wait. Put on warm clothes, bring a blanket and enjoy the night. A bottle of tea and snacks can make the experience more comfortable.
If you are paying attention to app alerts and are in a location where you can quickly get to a suitable location to view, you may be lucky enough to see the alert and go check it out!
Typically, as night falls, the aurora's appearance gradually intensifies or fades in and out. And then, sometimes, they'll be one-offs and nothing else will show up.
keep updated
Solar activity changes rapidly. Having the Aurora Alert app on your phone can help you stay informed of any changes.
Phone and camera tips for capturing the Northern Lights
Getting good photos of the Northern Lights can be challenging, especially on Skye's often windy nights, but with the right settings it's achievable.
All the photos in this post were taken with an iPhone (15), so don’t feel like you have to have fancy camera gear to make it work! These have been minimally edited to reduce the archive size so I can upload them.
Either way, the most important thing is to stay still and keep the exposure to at least 3 seconds, or even longer if you can.
What the camera captures is very different from what we see. I can usually see green or red with my naked eye, but purple is less noticeable, if at all.
As a tip, try adding something other than the sky to your photo to give it a sense of perspective. Luckily we have the trees you see in most of my photos!
For phone calls:
- Use a tripod: A stable surface is crucial as any movement will blur the image. I often hold my breath to stay steady when taking photos, or lean the phone against something to get more leverage.
- Find night mode: Many newer smartphones have a night mode option or “pro” setting where you can adjust ISO and exposure. I usually adjust the shutter speed/exposure time.
- Adjust exposure: Set the exposure time to about 10-30 seconds to allow sufficient light. My phone can do 3 or 10.
- Increase ISO: If your phone has this option, increase the ISO to capture more light, but be careful as high ISO can introduce noise.
For the camera:
- Use manual mode: Set the camera to manual mode to control exposure, ISO and focus.
- Set ISO between 800 and 3200: You may need a higher ISO, but finding the right balance depends on your camera.
- Use a wide aperture: A wide aperture (such as f/2.8 or f/3.5) lets in more light and helps capture colors.
- manual focus: Autofocus can be difficult in low-light conditions, so switch to manual focus and set it to infinity. Before an aurora begins, test it by focusing on distant light.
- Experiment with shutter speed: Shutter speed range is 10 to 30 seconds. Start with 15 seconds, or if the auroras are bright, try shorter exposure times.
Viewing the Northern Lights on Skye is a truly magical experience. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can not only increase your chances of seeing the auroras, but also capture them to share or keep as memories.
Coming to the island in winter is a completely different experience than in summer. While there's no guarantee you'll see the Northern Lights on Skye, it's well worth knowing how and when to spot them so you don't miss the chance of them appearing!
Good luck!
Sonya x
