Northern Lights
Cairngorms Dark Sky Park — Tomintoul & Glenlivet
The Tomintoul & Glenlivet Dark Sky Park is a Gold Tier IDA site within the Cairngorms National Park — the largest dark-sky park in the UK by area and the furthest north, giving it a significant aurora advantage over Galloway. At 57°N, the Kp threshold for visible aurora drops to around Kp3, meaning aurora displays that would be invisible from southern Scotland can be spectacular here. The park spans upland moorland between Tomintoul village (the highest village in the Scottish Highlands at 345m) and Glenlivet Crown Estate. The Glenlivet distillery and estate provide context for a whisky-and-stars experience that has become a notable dark-sky tourism draw.
Aurora Alert Now: No significant activity
21:22No significant geomagnetic activity. Aurora unlikely tonight.
Quick facts
- Designation
- IDA Gold Dark Sky Park
- Designated
- 2018
- Bortle scale
- 3/ 9
- Aurora probability
- High aurora probability
- Region
- Cairngorms
- Grid ref
- NJ 168 186
Getting there
Tomintoul village (AB37 9EX) is the visitor hub. The Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership provides a Dark Sky Trail with 6 observation points. The Glenlivet Crown Estate car parks off the B9136 are free and give good horizon views. The Lecht ski centre (6km east) provides a high-altitude (637m) observation platform after hours.
Postcode: AB37 9EX
Photography notes
The high altitude and northern latitude combine to give exceptional aurora frequency. Braenaloin car park above the valley floor avoids horizon obstruction from the river valley. For Milky Way, shoot south from any of the moorland roads — the absence of southward light pollution is notable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:07
- Sunset
- 21:13
- Civil dawn
- 04:16
- Civil dusk
- 22:03
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- What is the minimum Kp number to see the aurora from Tomintoul?
- At 57°N, aurora is often visible at Kp3–4 on a clear dark night, particularly in the northern sky. The auroral oval extends much further south during stronger events (Kp5+). Subscribe to AuroraWatch UK alerts for real-time notification.
- Is Tomintoul really the highest village in the Highlands?
- Yes — at 345m above sea level on the exposed Grampian plateau, Tomintoul regularly records the coldest temperatures in Scotland. In winter, road access via the A939 (the "Snow Road") can be closed. Check road conditions before driving up.
Seen the lights here?
Share your experience of Cairngorms Dark Sky Park — Tomintoul & Glenlivet to help other aurora hunters.