Can you see the Northern Lights from North Ronaldsay?

Yes — it is one of the best places in Britain to see the aurora. North Ronaldsay sits at 59.4°N. At this latitude a moderately active night (around Kp 4) is usually enough to show over the northern horizon. 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.

How do you get to North Ronaldsay?

Loganair flies small inter-island aircraft from Kirkwall Airport on Orkney Mainland; there is also a ferry on some days. Book ahead — seats and beds are limited.

What is the seaweed sheep?

North Ronaldsay is home to a breed of sheep that lives almost entirely on seaweed, kept on the foreshore by a dry-stone dyke that circles the island so that they stay off the farmland inside it.

Northern Lights

North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay is Orkney's northernmost island, at 59.4°N — far enough north that a moderately active night can bring the aurora to the northern horizon. It is low and flat, ideal for 360° aurora panoramas, and best known for its seaweed-eating sheep, kept on the shore by a dry-stone dyke round the whole island. The Northern Lighthouse Board describes North Ronaldsay's 42-metre red-brick tower as still the highest land-based lighthouse in the British Isles.

Aurora Alert Now: Live status unavailable

09:03

Live 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: Highest aurora probability
Region: Orkney
Grid ref: HY 760 540

Best months for dark-sky viewing

Best for

aurora at high northern latituderemote island stargazingNorth Ronaldsay lighthouse photography

Getting there

Loganair inter-island flights from Kirkwall, or a ferry on some days. North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory (KW17 2BE) offers accommodation. The lighthouse has public access through the North Ronaldsay Trust. The land is very flat — no obstacles to sky views.

Postcode: KW17 2BE

Photography notes

Flat terrain in all directions gives an unobstructed aurora panorama. The lighthouse shows a white flash every 10 seconds (NLB), so it will light the foreground in most long exposures — compose with it, or point away. Bring everything you need for the night.

Nearby

Current conditions

Daylight Today

9h 22mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 08:00
Sunset: 15:48
Civil dawn: 07:13
Civil dusk: 16:35

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 November 2026

Common questions

Can you see the Northern Lights from North Ronaldsay?: Yes — it is one of the best places in Britain to see the aurora. North Ronaldsay sits at 59.4°N. At this latitude a moderately active night (around Kp 4) is usually enough to show over the northern horizon. 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.
How do you get to North Ronaldsay?: Loganair flies small inter-island aircraft from Kirkwall Airport on Orkney Mainland; there is also a ferry on some days. Book ahead — seats and beds are limited.
What is the seaweed sheep?: North Ronaldsay is home to a breed of sheep that lives almost entirely on seaweed, kept on the foreshore by a dry-stone dyke that circles the island so that they stay off the farmland inside it.

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