Northern Lights
Moffat Dark Sky Community
In February 2016 the International Dark-Sky Association (now DarkSky International) awarded Moffat Dark-Sky Community status, after an exterior lighting master plan and the installation of more than 600 downward-directed street lights. The British Astronomical Association reported it as the first town on the UK mainland to reach dark-sky status. That makes Moffat unusual: a town with hotels, cafés and pubs where the lighting itself has been designed around the night sky, with darker hill country a short drive up the A708.
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
- 2016
- Aurora probability
- Moderate aurora probability
- Region
- Southern Uplands
- Grid ref
- NT 082 051
Getting there
Moffat town centre (DG10 9EB) sits just off the M74, north of Lockerbie. For a darker sky than the town itself, drive the A708 north-east towards the Grey Mare's Tail and use a safe lay-by. Moffat has several hotels and B&Bs.
Postcode: DG10 9EB
Photography notes
Leave the town for the clearest northern horizon — the A708 towards St Mary's Loch climbs into open hill country. Pick a lay-by well off the carriageway and keep headlights out of frame.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:28
- Sunset
- 16:27
- Civil dawn
- 06:48
- Civil dusk
- 17:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 November 2026
Common questions
- Can you see the Northern Lights from Moffat Dark Sky Community?
- Yes, but you need an active night. Moffat Dark Sky Community sits at 55.3°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.
- What makes Moffat a good base for dark-sky tourism?
- Unlike Galloway Forest or Tomintoul, Moffat has proper town amenities — restaurants, pubs and hotels. You can spend the evening indoors, then step outside when the aurora alert fires, and the town's street lighting was replaced specifically to keep the sky dark.
Seen the lights here?
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