Northern lights in Shetland?

[Insecurepanda]

Has anyone been to visit Shetland to see the Northern Lights? We can’t accord Iceland unfortunately! 😂

And in a related note, is Shetland doable without a car or do we need to hire one?

Norway is also an option although I think Shetland would be cheaper. Depending on where you are in the country it might be cheaper to fly and hire a car.

Thank you! Have you been?

Shetland is expensive

You need a car

I've been thinking of going to Shetland as I'm binge watching the series just now. It's very expensive to get there.

You can join Facebook pages like Scotlands Aurora Watch , Help & Advice. They will flag up if there is activity likely to lead to an aurora.
Ive not been to Shetland ( although I would love to go ) The ferry takes 12 hours but you could easily take the car.
The aurora is often seen from the Moray Coast - places like Findhorn, Lossiemouth and Nairn. As it’s the East coast the skies have more chance of being clear. Much more accessible than hey land. May not be quite as spectacular but some of the photos I’ve seen look amazing .

I’ve holidayed in Shetland - it’s lovely but I didn’t go to see the Northern Lights. We went in the summer where it is daylight for about 20 hours a day. We took our car on the overnight ferry from Aberdeen - we definitely needed a car whilst there to visit all the bird sanctuaries and different sites, I would love to return as it was a real adventure. There’s loads to do and see.

I think you’re at high risk of being disappointed if your main purpose of going to Shetland is to see the northern lights. But Shetland is well worth a visit. Fly in and get a hire car at the airport.

I would love to go to Shetland but I think you need to be very lucky to see the a northern lights there. You have to be lucky in Norway too and you need to go up North.

Shetland is amazing BUT I was there in teh summer when the hours of daylight are at their longest. The issue with going specifically to see the Aurora is that it is not guaranteed, and if you are visiting at this time of year then your hours of daylight to do other things are very limited. It's very expensive to get the ferry or fly to the islands.

Agree the Moray coast a better shout.

I live in the north of Scotland and think you'd be lucky to happen to be in Shetland on a night with a visible aurora. I googled for you and Google says there is a visible aurora 15 nights a year on average in Shetland.

Bear in mind that most visible auroras you only see a white patch in the sky, and then you take a photo and your camera captures all the colours. But with most auroras you don't actually see colour with your eyes. I've seen loads of auroras and only a tiny handful were in any way impressive to watch. Only twice in my life have I seen anything resembling the impressive photos you see. The photos look amazing but the experience rarely is.
I assume that of those average 15 aurora's per year, most are the boring 'white patch' variety.

You need to go further north.

@Insecurepanda you could also post on the Scotsnet board

Wonderful project, OP.

Shetland. As other PP have said, way much less chance there. (Wonderful place, I've done Up Helly AA, no northern lights, completely fantastic still.) We hired a car.

Iceland. Went for New Year. Saw a green glow from a hotel car park through the clouds. Clearly the Northern Lights. 30 secs? Ticked a box.

Norway. Two cruises. Eyewateringly expensive. Magical Northern lights. Pics below!

You might check out this brilliant website: www.spaceweather.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast It also explains how the lights work on an 11 year cycle. (We were lucky in Norway.) Plus yes, go North.

Ah ok thank you everyone, I think I need to rethink my plans! I do really want to go to Shetland: I have been to Orkney which was one of the best holidays of my life, so I think I would love Shetland. But maybe I need to completely separate that from my ambition to see the northern lights!

maybe summer is a better time to visit Shetland?