Northern lights evening chase from Edinburgh

Our northern lights evening chase is a 4-hour private trip from the Edinburgh area for £300 per vehicle (up to 4 guests). It runs on call: we message you when AuroraWatch UK issues an amber alert and the sky is forecast to be clear, then drive to dark spots away from city lights. Sightings near Edinburgh are uncommon, so treat it as a chance, not a promise.

By Sheldon · MegaSpace Private Journeys · Updated 2026-10-06

Part of our Christmas & New Year in Scotland Guide

How does the on-call service work?

1. Register your dates and hotel with us on WhatsApp +44 7598 576685 or WeChat ID megaspace218.
2. When AuroraWatch UK shows an amber alert (aurora likely visible by eye from Scotland) and cloud forecasts look clear, we message you.
3. You confirm, and we pick you up for a 4-hour evening chase to dark locations outside the city.

You may cancel free of charge at any time before departure. Once we have departed, the fee is not refundable if the aurora does not appear.

How likely is it to see the aurora near Edinburgh?

Honestly, not very often. Edinburgh sees the northern lights only during strong geomagnetic events — as in May and October 2024 — and cloud frequently gets in the way. AuroraWatch UK's yellow alert means aurora may be visible from Scotland; amber means it is likely; red means likely across the UK. Even on an amber night, clear skies decide the outcome. Your odds are much better further north — see our northern lights in Scotland guide.

Where do we go to watch?

We head for dark, north-facing spots with little light pollution, such as the Pentland Hills or the East Lothian coast, choosing on the night according to the cloud forecast. The car stays warm while you wait, and we can move if cloud rolls in. A phone camera on night mode often picks up colour that the eye sees only faintly.

What does it cost and what should we bring?

£300 for the whole vehicle (Toyota Alphard, up to 4 guests), 4 hours from the Edinburgh area. Festive surcharges apply on 24–26 and 31 December and 1 January. Bring warm layers, a hat and gloves, a hot drink, and a phone or camera with a tripod if you have one. Best months are roughly September to March, when nights are long and dark.

Is a Highland trip better for the aurora?

If seeing the aurora is a priority, yes. Northern Skye, Caithness and Sutherland, and the Cairngorms dark-sky areas have far darker skies and are further north. Combine a multi-day Skye or Highland trip with a flexible evening out, and you give yourself several chances instead of one.

Frequently asked