People in eastern areas of Scotland stand the best chance of seeing Wednesday’s partial solar eclipse, forecasters have said. More than 90% of the sun will be obscured by the moon between about 6pm and 8.15pm on August 12, the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.
Cloud cover forecast
A weather front pushing into the north-west of the country means the rare event is likely to be hidden behind clouds across much of Scotland – but forecasters have said it may be visible in some areas. The Met Office said eastern areas like Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray are most likely to have clear skies when the rare event takes place.
The forecaster said there may also be breaks in cloud cover in the central belt and southern Scotland. However the weather front means north-western areas of the country are likely to remain cloudy throughout the evening.
Viewing events planned
Viewing events are planned across the country for what will be the fullest eclipse over local skies until 2081. The Royal Astronomical Society will host visitors at the observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, where stargazers will be given free eclipse glasses and be able to look through a solar telescope.
Other events in the south of the country include at the Red Burn Farm in Glasgow and the Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright. Viewing events further north include the Tomintoul Skyhide Stargazing Pavilion in Ballindalloch and Masstowie Primary School in Elgin.
Island events and official comment
Meanwhile there are also events planned on some of Scotland’s islands, including at Midhowe Broch Car Park, Rousay, Orkney, and at Ardminish on the Isle of Gigha. A Met Office spokesperson said: “A weather front will likely keep north-western areas of the country cloudy throughout the evening.
“Meanwhile, those towards the east, such as in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray, should have better viewing chances with the likelihood of more cloud breaks. The cloud forecast across the central belt and southern Scotland is expected to be less thick than that in the north-west. Therefore, there is still some possibility that it manages to break at points during the evening.” A list of viewing events can be found at https://ukeclipse.com/
