Northern Lights
Glencoe — Rannoch Moor Edge
Where the A82 leaves the head of Glencoe and crosses Rannoch Moor past Kingshouse, the road runs through open moorland with very little artificial light. Buachaille Etive Mòr and the Glencoe hills make a silhouette to the west and the open moor stretches north and east. The Kingshouse Hotel at the edge of the moor is a natural base for a winter aurora night.
Aurora Alert Now: Live status unavailable
00:56Live 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
- Glencoe & Lochaber
- Grid ref
- NN 259 547
Getting there
The A82 across Rannoch Moor, either side of the Kingshouse turn-off (PH49 4HY). Use the large lay-bys and never stop on the carriageway itself. The Kingshouse Hotel offers rooms and food — book ahead for winter weekends.
Postcode: PH49 4HY
Photography notes
Face north across the moor for aurora, or set Buachaille Etive Mòr in the lower frame for the classic Glencoe composition. Headlights from passing cars will intrude — plan around traffic gaps; the A82 quietens late at night.
Nearby
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:41
- Sunset
- 16:25
- Civil dawn
- 06:59
- Civil dusk
- 17:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 November 2026
Common questions
- Can you see the Northern Lights from Glencoe — Rannoch Moor Edge?
- Yes — given an active night and a clear sky. Glencoe — Rannoch Moor Edge 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 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 the A82 stretch safe to stop on at night?
- Only in the lay-bys — never stop on the road itself, which carries fast traffic. In winter, make sure your car has fuel and you have warm clothing; the moor is cold and exposed.
Seen the lights here?
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