Northern lights forecast tonight in Scotland

A 225 m hill with a public road to the summit, high enough to put Kirkwall's lights below you and a clear view north from the top. Lit transmitter masts stand on the summit, which is worth knowing before you frame a photograph.

A sandy bay beyond the airport, unlit and open to the sea, and the closest spot to Kirkwall that locals actually name. The wreck of the Juniata stands in the shallows and gives a low display something to sit behind.

The broch stands on the north coast at Aikerness, with Eynhallow Sound and Rousay filling the horizon, the open northern water an aurora needs. The monument closes at night, so watch from the car park and the shore at Sands of Evie.

A low grassy headland fifteen minutes' walk south of the centre, with Bressay Sound open to the east and the Bressay light across the water. Lerwick's street lighting lies to the north, so the mirrie dancers show here only on a strong display.

The lighthouse stands 61 m above the Atlantic on Shetland's exposed north-west coast, with nothing between it and the open sea to the north. About an hour's drive from Lerwick and well clear of any village lighting.

Ten minutes from Princes Street and high enough to clear the rooftops, with the Firth of Forth filling the northern horizon. The city glow is right beneath you, so it suits a strong display rather than a faint arc.

Open sea to the north and east with nothing between you and the horizon, which is what a low arc needs. A regular bus runs there from the city centre.

The darkest of the easily reachable options, facing north over the Forth with the city lights behind you rather than in front.

An unlit, treeless moor at 151 m, high and dark enough to matter only eight kilometres from the city. The Highland Astronomical Society keeps an observatory by the visitor centre car park, and you can walk the battlefield after dark on the paths.

A low spit running out into the Moray Firth, with Stevenson's 1846 lighthouse at the end and no lighting on the road down. The open water sits north-east through east rather than due north, so a low arc can clip the Black Isle shore.

The Moray Firth runs open due north from the sand here, with nothing between you and the Caithness coast. The town is lit right behind the Central Beach, so walk east past the harbour where it gets darker.