Hundreds of people gathered on Calton Hill in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening to watch the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. The phenomenon obscured over 90 per cent of the sun and was visible until 8pm.
Eclipse party atop Calton Hill
Enthusiasts gathered in their droves for an eclipse party atop one of the capital's most famous landmarks, which offers 360 panoramic views of the city. The event is the UK's fullest solar eclipse for the next 54 years.
Due to how rare an eclipse of this size is, Scots were keen not to miss out on the opportunity to safely view it with their own eyes. Earlier reports suggested the spectacle would last from 6:08pm until 8:06pm, with maximum coverage arriving shortly after 7pm for most parts of the country.
Sky-watchers with makeshift glasses
Photos taken on Calton Hill show hundreds of amateur astronomers and keen sky-watchers sporting makeshift glasses and peering through real and homemade telescopes trying to catch a glimpse of the mesmerising sight. Families, couples, and people young and old relaxed on deckchairs after climbing up to the park, just a short walk from Princes Street in the city centre, to be around other like-minded people as the big moment neared.
Some took position on The National Monument of Scotland while others made do with a seat on the grass. People enjoyed food and drink as they waited to see how lucky they'd be as peak time to see the eclipse rolled round. Darkness began to fall as the clock ticked towards 7pm. However, many in the central belt were left disappointed after cloud obscured the view.
Rare event not seen again until 2081
Today's event represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, with an eclipse of this magnitude not expected to return to UK skies until 2081. Astronomers believe the new Moon and Sun will progressively align in the sky during the late afternoon. As the early evening approached, 'first contact' was due to have taken place at around 6.08pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
For both cities, peak eclipse was due to be at 7.05pm for Edinburgh (90 per cent coverage) and 7.06pm for Glasgow (91 per cent coverage). More specific times across various regions in Scotland can be found below thanks to a global eclipse map from Timeanddate.com. The website provides data on world clocks and information about sun and moon phases.
Anyone hoping to view the eclipse was warned to never look directly at the sun without special eclipse safety glasses or by making a DIY projector at home. Standard sunglasses do not offer adequate protection against severe eye damage.
