STARGAZERS in Scotland are in for a treat this week as the Northern Lights dance across our night skies once again.

According to the Met Office, the extraordinary event taking place in the coming days represents "one of the most spectacular displays in the night sky".

The Northern Lights, commonly known as the Aurora Borealis, have taken place numerous times this year.

When are the Northern Lights coming to Scotland this week?

The Northern Lights could be visible across Scotland and the United Kingdom either late on Tuesday, September 10 or early on Wednesday, September 11.

The Met Office states: "A coronal mass ejection (CME) is forecast to give a glancing blow either late 10 September or early on 11 September.

"Aurora may be visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England and similar latitudes."

The Met Office added that a "slight enhancement" was also possible overnight on Monday (September 9) due to the arrival of "a weak coronal hole high-speed stream."

The forecaster said: "This perhaps bringing visible aurora to the far north of Scotland and similar latitudes where skies are clear, however, this is low confidence."

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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

The Northern Lights are expected to be visible across Scotland between Tuesday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 11.