Northern lights in Pitlochry tonight

Ben Vrackie (841 m) dominates the skyline north of Pitlochry and is reached from the Moulin village car park, 2 km from the town centre. The lower path through heather moorland above Moulin reaches open ground within 20 minutes of walking. At 400-500 m altitude, the moorland is well clear of Pitlochry's valley light dome, and the northern view extends over Strathardle toward the open Highlands. The summit is not required; the lower track provides Bortle Class 2-3 conditions. The path is well-worn but rough; a head torch and appropriate footwear are necessary. The Moulin car park is free and accessible at all hours.

The B8019 west of Pitlochry runs along the north shore of Loch Tummel through the Tay Forest Park. Several forestry pull-ins between Tummel Bridge and the Allean car park give south-facing views across the loch toward the wooded south shore, and north-facing views up the hillside into open forest. The Allean forest trail gives access to higher ground with a broader sky at Bortle Class 2. Queen's View on the south shore is better known; the north shore road is quieter and the pull-ins are less frequently used. Allow 20 minutes from Pitlochry via the B8019 rather than the A9 route through Killiecrankie.

Dalnaspidal sits at the head of Glen Garry on the A9 at 460 m, the highest point on the main road to Inverness. The wide-open moorland at the watershed has no settlement within 20 km and the sky is unobstructed in all directions. The layby beside Loch Garry gives a north-facing view over the water with the Drumochter Pass hills behind. Bortle Class 2 throughout the upper glen. The A9 layby is accessible year-round and is large enough for several vehicles. This is the darkest easily accessible position within 35 minutes of Pitlochry, and the altitude adds further to the sky quality.