Northern Lights
Ardnamurchan Peninsula
Ardnamurchan Point is the most westerly point of the British mainland, facing an open Atlantic horizon. The peninsula is reached only by a long single-track road from Salen, and there is very little artificial light to the west and north. The lighthouse at the point, built in 1849 by Alan Stevenson, makes a classic foreground for aurora and Milky Way photography, and the point is a fine sunset spot while you wait for dark.
Aurora Alert Now: Live status unavailable
22:23Live alert unavailable right now — check AuroraWatch UK directly for tonight’s status.
New to this? Start with the Scotland Northern Lights guide — season timing, the Kp index and what a display really looks like.
Quick facts
- Designation
- Exceptional informal dark sky
- Aurora probability
- High aurora probability
- Region
- Lochaber
- Grid ref
- NM 416 675
Getting there
The B8007 single-track road runs west from Salen. The lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point has a car park; the visitor centre opens in the daytime only. Kilchoan is the nearest village. CalMac's Tobermory–Kilchoan ferry also runs through the winter (winter timetable 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027).
Postcode: PH36 4LN
Photography notes
The lighthouse stands on a headland with sea on three sides. Position north of the lighthouse for aurora compositions and face south for the Milky Way. The light shows two flashes every 20 seconds (NLB) — factor it into long exposures or shoot toward open sea.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:45
- Sunset
- 16:32
- Civil dawn
- 07:03
- Civil dusk
- 17:14
NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 November 2026
Common questions
- Can you see the Northern Lights from Ardnamurchan Peninsula?
- Yes — given an active night and a clear sky. Ardnamurchan Peninsula sits at 56.7°N. At this latitude it takes a stronger display (around Kp 5 or above) to show over the northern horizon, rather than the lower readings that reach the far north. You still need a clear night, an open view to the north, and as little light pollution as possible. The darkest, longest nights for aurora hunting run through September, October, November, December, January, February, March. Check AuroraWatch UK and a clear-sky forecast before heading out, and watch the live aurora alert at the top of this page.
- Is Ardnamurchan accessible in winter?
- Yes, by road year-round, though the B8007 is single-track and slow in snow or ice — allow plenty of time. The Tobermory–Kilchoan ferry from Mull also runs a winter timetable.
Seen the lights here?
Share your experience of Ardnamurchan Peninsula to help other aurora hunters.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.