Aurora Tonight
UK forecast › Scotland › Edinburgh

Northern lights Edinburgh tonight

Edinburgh sits at ~56°N magnetic latitude. A dark site on the city outskirts gives you access to aurora at Kp 4-5 - several times a year during elevated solar activity.

Aurora visibility — Edinburgh

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 4-5 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Edinburgh.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Edinburgh: Kp 4-5 Magnetic latitude: ~56°N Updated: 10 May, 11:03 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Edinburgh sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 56°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 4-5 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 4-5, visibility is possible from Edinburgh but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.

Best dark sky sites near Edinburgh

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.

Pentland Hills Regional Park

A 30-minute drive south-west from the city centre. Higher ground above the Edinburgh light dome with open south and north views from the ridge.

Braid Hills viewpoint

On the southern edge of the city, a quick drive from the centre. Less dark than the Pentlands but convenient for a quick check when Kp is elevated.

East Lothian coast - Yellowcraig

Open beach facing north-east with minimal light pollution across the Firth of Forth to the north. About 35 minutes by car from Edinburgh.

Moorfoot Hills

South-east of Edinburgh, accessible via the A7. Open moorland at 400-500 m gives noticeably darker skies than the Pentland Hills fringe.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Scotland overview Newcastle Inverness

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Aurora forecast hub for all UK regions with live Kp status.

Northern Lights Scotland

Scotland-wide aurora forecast and dark sky site guide.

Northern Lights Newcastle Tonight

Aurora forecast for Newcastle and Northumberland.

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights

Practical guide to dark sites, timing, and what to look for.

What Is the Kp Index?

How to read the Kp scale and what it means for Edinburgh.

Common questions

Northern lights viewing from Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

Can you see the northern lights from Edinburgh?
Yes, but you need to leave the city. From a dark site on the outskirts - the Pentland Hills, East Lothian coast, or Moorfoot Hills - Kp 4-5 is enough to see a green arc on the northern horizon on a clear night. From the city itself, only a strong storm (Kp 6+) will be visible through the light pollution.
What is the best spot to see aurora near Edinburgh?
The Pentland Hills are the most accessible option - 30 minutes by car from the centre. The East Lothian coast at Yellowcraig or Gullane gives an open northward view across the Firth of Forth. For darker conditions, drive further into the Moorfoot Hills or beyond.
How often can Edinburgh see the northern lights?
From a dark site near Edinburgh during solar maximum, a handful of sightings per year is realistic at Kp 4-5. The May 2024 storm was visible from Edinburgh city centre itself due to its exceptional strength (Kp 8-9). More typically, you need to make the effort to reach dark skies.
What Kp is needed to see aurora from Edinburgh?
From a dark site on the outskirts, Kp 4-5. From within the city, practically Kp 6+ before light pollution can be overcome. Edinburgh sits at a magnetic latitude of around 56°N, a few degrees south of the Highlands, so it sees fewer events than locations further north.
Is Arthur's Seat a good spot to watch aurora?
It is accessible and gives a wide sky view, but the Edinburgh city light dome is very evident from there. It is better than most city-centre spots, but the Pentland Hills or East Lothian coast give significantly darker skies. Worth trying during a Kp 6+ storm if you cannot get further out.