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Admiring the Aurora Borealis from the Outer Hebrides

March 1, 2014 By Katie MacLeod 10 Comments

Northern lights over the Callanish Stones

Known in Gaelic as Na Fir-Chlis, the Northern Lights are a common sight during winter on the Isle of Lewis, especially in Ness at the northern tip of the island.

Some people pay a fortune to fly to Iceland or the Arctic Circle to tick the Aurora Borealis off their ‘Bucket Lists’, yet locals on Lewis can simply stand at their front door when the winter nights close in and admire the geomagnetic view.

I’ve seen the Northern Lights twice, over a decade ago, but even though my memories are hazy, I know it was nothing like the show that took place this week – a show that, for once, was visible over much of the country.

This show was spectacular.

Northern Lights over Stornoway

Experiencing the power of nature in this way was an almost emotional experience – plenty of people on social media admitted to shedding a few tears at the sight.

As clichéd as it sounds, it really did take my breath away. When my neighbours walked past with their dog, I was standing with my mouth open in amazement at the sky above me.  I can now say I truly understand the meaning of the phrase ‘awe-inspiring.’

It wasn’t just the colours – bright green and turquoise with an edge of red, changing in intensity with every blink – that were mesmerizing. It was the movement that entranced me. The aurora borealis really do deserve the name ‘the nimble ones’ or ‘the merry dancers.’ I watched, neck craned, as they danced a jig across the sky, a dance made even more distinct when the street lights were finally switched off.

Turquoise fingers of light reached out from the horizon to dance animatedly through the darkness.

The aurora were pulsing, shifting, and beating across a backdrop of glittering stars. For nearly four hours on-and-off I stood outside, unable to drag myself away despite the chill northerly breeze.

Two days later and I am still in awe of the late-night natural spectacle that is the aurora borealis.  I’ve never seen anything like it, and unless I’m very lucky, I may never see anything like it again.  Visit Scotland certainly got it right: 2014 is (already) a year of brilliant moments.

Old house illuminated by the Norther Lights, Isle of Lewis

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Is seeing them in action on your ‘bucket list’?  Let me know in the comments below, or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

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Thank you to the following talented local photographers who kindly gave me permission to use their images of the Northern Lights: Colin Cameron Photography, Innes Mackay, and 58° North Photography.

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Want to read more?

The Ultimate Outer Hebrides Travel Guide

21 Must-Have Travel Experiences in the Outer Hebrides

10 Books to Read Before Visiting Scotland’s Outer Hebrides

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Comments

  1. Kayleigh says

    March 1, 2014 at 10:04 am

    Those are fantastic photos! I hope to see them one day…Thinking of heading up to Norway…

    Reply
  2. Jessica Korteman - Notes of Nomads says

    March 1, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Wow! Absolutely amazing, Katie! I was imagining this marvelous dancing spectacle through your words. Wish we had been there that night but, as you know, we were fortunate to see some activity (though not as pronounced) last week in far-northern Scotland. Seriously, Scotland is so underrated for the Northern Lights and apparently 2014 really IS the year! Get there now!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 5, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks Jessica! It was an amazing experience, and it’s all down to luck really – I’m glad you guys got to see the Northern Lights in Scotland too!

      Reply
  3. Suzanne Courtney says

    March 1, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Fantastic description of your experience! I was in Iceland last month but the lights were shy!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 5, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks Suzanne! Hopefully you’ll see them next time 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lucy Dodsworth says

    March 2, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Amazing photos, I would love to see the lights sometime – so far no luck on my trips far enough north but maybe next year!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 5, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      It was an amazing experience – and the local photographers captured it beautifully! Hopefully you get the chance to see them on one of your trips!

      Reply
  5. Lucy Dodsworth says

    March 2, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Amazing photos, I would love to see the lights sometime – so far no luck on my trips far enough north but maybe next year!

    Reply
  6. Jacqueline says

    March 8, 2021 at 9:41 am

    My mother is in love with Scotland. Some of our family came from Scotland. The Isle of Lewis is one of her all time favorites. She is fascinated with the northern lights. I want to give her a photo of the stones and lights. She is 76, I don’t know if I will ever get to bring her there. Can you help me find a beautiful photo for her. Thank you, Jacqueline
    P.S I love your site.

    Reply

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I'm Katie, an expat Scot in the States, and the journalist behind Stories My Suitcase Could Tell, the travel blog which inspires you to explore the world. Read More…

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