With little light pollution, the Outer Hebrides are one of the best places to catch the Northern Lights! You can take your pick from Lewis, Harris, Uist or Barra. With the right weather conditions, each island will treat you to a mesmerizing dancing display of the Aurora Borealis.
Known as Fir Chlis in Gaelic, the Northern Lights are usually most common in winter, although you can catch the as early as September and as late as April. Be prepared to be awestruck by the sheer beauty of the spectacular changing hues of turquoise, green and red.
The Outer Hebrides has some of the darkest skies in the UK. Many astronomical sights can be seen through the naked eye including the Orion Nebula, the Milky Way and the Great Andromeda galaxy. The winter here gets dark late afternoon, and a great opportunity to not only to keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights but just look up and stargaze.
Each year in February there is a fabulous Dark Skies Festival which features theatre, live music, film, visual art, food, astronomy talks, and stargazing.
Check out the Aurora Watch Western Isles Facebook page for a literal heads up!
