Northern lights in Ullapool tonight

The A835 north of Ullapool follows the north shore of Loch Broom for 8 km before turning inland toward the Strath More valley. The lochside pull-ins on the north shore give a west and northwest view across the open sea loch toward Beinn Ghobhlach (635 m) on the far shore. Ullapool's lights are behind to the south and southeast. The road is straight and gives several lay-by options; the first clear one north of the village is 5 km from the harbour. Bortle Class 2 from the water's edge. On calm nights the loch surface mirrors any overhead activity, giving a reflected arc on the water as well as the sky. The road is well-maintained year-round.

Achnahaird Bay is a remote Atlantic beach on the Coigach peninsula, reached from Achiltibuie via the single-track Polbain road. The bay faces northwest with an open North Atlantic horizon and no artificial light in any direction except a faint glow from Ullapool to the southeast. The beach is wide, flat sand with dunes at the back - shelter from the wind without blocking the sky. Bortle Class 2 throughout. The drive from Ullapool takes 30 minutes via the A835 and the Achiltibuie turn-off; the single-track road requires care after dark. The bay is accessible year-round on foot from the small car park at the end of the Achnahaird road.

The Inverpolly road north from the A835 at Drumrunie gives access to the base of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh. The road runs across open Lewisian gneiss moorland with lochans and no tree cover. The sky is open in every direction and the moorland elevation (100-200 m) adds to the dark sky quality. Stac Pollaidh car park on the Inverpolly road is a designated National Nature Reserve access point and is free. Bortle Class 2 throughout the Inverpolly area. The moorland character of the Assynt landscape - flat rock, open water, and big sky - gives among the best Aurora photography settings in mainland Scotland.