Aurora sightings could be possible across Scotland this weekend, although the Met Office have warned it is more likely they will be seen in the south of England than anywhere else in the UK.

The Northern Lights have been extremely visible at times this year and Shetland was recently named the place in Britain you were most likely to see them.

The weather could cause problems in much of Scotland with it expected to be raining and overcast across the country but there is an opportunity to see them once more.

The Met Office tweeted to say: “Aurora activity is expected to increase this weekend, potentially being visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England where skies are clear.

“Saturday night has the greatest likelihood of aurora sightings further south, across central England and similar latitudes.”

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

The colours occur due to different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being energised by the charged particles.

Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen emitting purple, blue and pink colours and oxygen emitting green.

Tips for seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland

Here are some handy tips from the Met Office for seeing the Northern Lights as they return to Scotland and the UK.

  • You need a clear night with no cloud cover
  • Find a dark location with no light pollution
  • Look toward the northern horizon
  • Be patient as these can appear late into the night or early in the morning