Where to see the April solar eclipse in Scotland next week

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth casting a shadow on to the surface of the planet.

Western parts of the UK and Ireland will be at the edges of the eclipse path, allowing residents to see the sun become slightly covered.

UK Weather Updates, a page run by an amateur weather enthusiast from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, shared some of the best places to see this impressive event.

Lots of talk within the US community about the solar eclipse on the 8th of April; while parts of the UK and Ireland will be able to see it too, there will be a very short opportunity for it, as the eclipse will take place at sunset shortly before the sun goes below the horizon.… pic.twitter.com/lppR01xEME

— UK Weather Updates (@UKWX_) April 3, 2024

Scottish locations named among the best places in the UK to see solar eclipse

With sunset taking place at around 8:10pm across the UK and Ireland on Monday, April 8, only a few places will be able to see this partial eclipse.

Professor Don Pollacco, an astronomer from Warwick University, says that the visibility path of a total eclipse is "extremely narrow" at around 80 miles.

He adds: "From the UK and Ireland, you will see a partial eclipse of the sun close to sunset, with about 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the sun obscured by the moon."

The town of Belmullet will see the most coverage in the UK and Ireland with a 44 per cent obscuration.

This will be followed by Galway with a 35 per cent obscuration.

In the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be the best places to see the partial eclipse.

In Derry, there will be an obscuration of 21 per cent, with Glasgow reportedly set for an obscuration of 11.2 per cent, the best in Scotland.

With the best chance to see the partial eclipse being in western areas, that means Ayrshire could be one of the best places to watch as the sun goes down. 

This will be followed by the Scottish cities of Edinburgh at 6.2 per cent, and Aberdeen at 4.3 per cent. The best place to see the eclipse in England will be Liverpool with only a 0.64 per cent obscuration from 7.57pm.

Those planning on watching the partial eclipse should do so safely and use appropriate eye protection.

Professor Pollacco says: "With no protection, you will at best damage your eyes, or you could blind yourself."

It is recommended that viewers use eclipse glasses which reduce the brightness of the sun to safe levels.