Northern Lights
Isle of Coll
Coll was designated a Dark-sky Community by the International Dark-sky Association in December 2013 — the second dark-sky place in Scotland and the 22nd in the world, according to Visit Coll. The island's own guide says that although the IDA asked for three specific viewing locations, almost anywhere on Coll will do, and that there are no high mountains to build cloud. It is honest about the limits too: Coll is too far north for any real darkness through May, June and July, and the Milky Way returns from around mid-August. The flat, Atlantic-facing land gives a wide horizon for aurora panoramas.
Aurora Alert Now: Live status unavailable
22:08Live 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
- International Dark Sky Community
- Designated
- 2013
- Aurora probability
- High aurora probability
- Region
- Inner Hebrides
- Grid ref
- NM 226 569
Getting there
CalMac sails Oban–Coll–Tiree year-round (its winter timetable runs 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027). Arinagour is the main village (PA78 6SY). Visit Coll lists car hire and e-bike hire on the island. Coll Community Centre and Coll Bunkhouse run 'Coll and the Cosmos' dark-sky weekends through the winter. Accommodation is limited — book well ahead.
Postcode: PA78 6SY
Photography notes
Crossapol Bay gives an open Atlantic horizon for Milky Way arch photography from late summer. Breachacha Castle makes a historic foreground for aurora compositions. Bring a red head torch, a star tracker for long exposures, and contingency plans — Atlantic weather is highly variable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:45
- Sunset
- 16:34
- Civil dawn
- 07:04
- Civil dusk
- 17:15
NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 November 2026
Common questions
- Can you see the Northern Lights from Isle of Coll?
- Yes — given an active night and a clear sky. Isle of Coll sits at 56.6°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, April. Check AuroraWatch UK and a clear-sky forecast before heading out, and watch the live aurora alert at the top of this page.
- Is Coll an official dark-sky place?
- Yes. Visit Coll records that the International Dark-sky Association designated the island a Dark-sky Community in December 2013, making it the second dark-sky place in Scotland. Coll is too far north for real darkness from May to July, so plan a visit between mid-August and April.
- How do I get to Coll?
- CalMac ferry on the Oban–Coll–Tiree route, which runs through the winter on a reduced timetable. Book accommodation and ferry together, as accommodation is very limited.
Seen the lights here?
Share your experience of Isle of Coll to help other aurora hunters.
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