How often can you see the aurora in Shetland?

More often than anywhere else in Scotland: at 60°N even a modest geomagnetic disturbance can bring the aurora to the northern horizon. Cloud is the main obstacle — Shetland's maritime climate means clear dark nights are the thing to wait for.

A fire festival held in Lerwick on the last Tuesday of January, celebrating Shetland's Norse heritage. Guizers in Viking costume parade a replica longship through the streets before burning it.

Northern Lights

Shetland — Northmavine & West Mainland

At 60°N, Shetland sits closer to the auroral oval than anywhere else on Scottish soil, so it needs the least geomagnetic activity of anywhere in the country to see the aurora. Northmavine and the Atlantic coast of West Mainland give dark northern horizons with sea-cliff foregrounds. The Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick falls on the last Tuesday in January, in the heart of the dark season.

Aurora Alert Now: Live status unavailable

22:08

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: Shetland
Grid ref: HU 281 767

Best months for dark-sky viewing

Best for

aurora at peak Scottish latitudedramatic coastline aurora photographyUp Helly Aa fire festival combination

Getting there

Loganair flights from the Scottish mainland to Sumburgh. Hillswick in Northmavine is a good base for the north-west. A hire car makes night-time aurora trips practical — public transport outside Lerwick is limited.

Photography notes

The Eshaness cliffs in Northmavine are the best-known aurora location in Shetland. The cliffs are unfenced — do not go near the edge at night, and look round in daylight first. Eshaness Lighthouse gives a clean foreground subject.

Nearby

Current conditions

Daylight Today

9h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:42
Sunset: 15:57
Civil dawn: 06:55
Civil dusk: 16:44

NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 November 2026

Common questions

How often can you see the aurora in Shetland?: More often than anywhere else in Scotland: at 60°N even a modest geomagnetic disturbance can bring the aurora to the northern horizon. Cloud is the main obstacle — Shetland's maritime climate means clear dark nights are the thing to wait for.
What is Up Helly Aa?: A fire festival held in Lerwick on the last Tuesday of January, celebrating Shetland's Norse heritage. Guizers in Viking costume parade a replica longship through the streets before burning it.

Seen the lights here?

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