Neist Point on the Isle of Skye has been named one of the best places in the UK to view the upcoming solar eclipse on August 12, which will be the last of its kind visible from the UK until 2081. Around 96 per cent of the Sun is expected to be covered during the event.
Top viewing spot in Scotland
According to Mark Gallaway, a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a lecturer for the Royal Observatory Greenwich, Neist Point is the best location in Scotland to observe the eclipse. It ranked seventh overall in the UK.
Neist Point, known as Rubha na h-Eist in Gaelic, is a viewpoint on the westernmost point of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. The beauty spot is famous for its rock formations and the Neist Point Lighthouse, which has stood there since 1909.
Gallaway commented: "From the UK, you will see the Moon slowly cover the Sun until it is 89-96 per cent covered, depending on where you [are]. The eclipse is quite late in the day, with the maximum occurring between 7:05pm and 7:16pm BST. The further south and south west you are, the more coverage of the Sun you will see, but it will never be totally covered from the UK. Almost anywhere will see it as long as you have a clear view of the western horizon."
Safety advice for eclipse viewing
Gallaway stressed the dangers of viewing the eclipse with the naked eye. He stated that sunglasses do not offer enough protection and do not block enough UV. "Please don't use a telescope or binoculars or any optical devices unless you are 100 per cent sure you know what you are doing. The best way to see it is with eclipse glasses, which cost a few pounds. At no point will it be safe to look at the Sun with the naked eye in the UK."
Best UK viewing spots
The best place in the UK to see the eclipse is the Isles of Scilly in southwest England, followed by Land's End in Cornwall, Cape Cornwall, and Hartland Point in Devon. Other top spots include Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire, South Stack in North Wales, and Neist Point in Scotland.
