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Northern Lights bring in New Year across Scotland

Jez Campbell The lighthouse is centre of shot, burning bright against the purple and orange aurora. The light is reflected in puddles on the shore in the foreground.Jez Campbell
The lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point

The first day of 2025 has brought a stunning display of the Northern Lights across Scotland.

After days of stormy weather, clear skies ensured the bright colours of the aurora were visible after a strong solar storm.

Solar activity has been at a high over the past few years and 2025 ought to see more chances for sky-watchers to see the aurora.

We have brought together photos from contributors from across the country.

Sophie Pirie A solitary winter tree is shot low and from a distance against the aurora at Auchtermuchty in Fife. The purple and green rays appear to be hitting the tree from the sky.Sophie Pirie
A solitary winter tree against the aurora at Auchtermuchty in Fife

The Northern Lights are caused with charged particles, ejected by the sun, interact with gases in our atmosphere.

Oxygen atoms glow green - the colour most often seen in the Northern Lights.

Nitrogen atoms emit purple, pink and red.

The stronger the storm, the further south the aurora can be seen.

The Met Office Space Weather Centre forecasts suggest another eruption will reach earth over the weekend, bringing more opportunities to see the lights.

Peter Maciver The still sea and a hill can be seen in the foreground, the hill silhoutted against some very deep red aurora.Peter Maciver
These deep red tones were captured over Seilebost on the Isle of Harris
Anisha Saksena-Mitchell A hard frost can be seen on the ground where vegetation has been flattened. A row of trees run along the horizon in the middle distance with blue and purple aurora above.Anisha Saksena-Mitchell
A wintry scene from Montgarrie in Aberdeenshire
Jean Lowdon The bridge at Belhaven in East Lothian crossing a waterway. The landscape is almost entirely flat but for the hump of Berwick Law in the far distance. Red and pink aurora touch the clouds on the horizon.Jean Lowdon
The bridge at Belhaven in East Lothian
Sean Watret Looking up through a row of tall fir trees on a slope, rising to the right. The deep purple and blue aurora can be seen and through it, stars shining brightly.Sean Watret
A hill full of firs and aurora and starlight beyond captured in Callander
Stuart Scott The Forth Bridge taken from the road bridge. There is green and pink aurora above.Stuart Scott
The Forth Bridge taken from the road bridge
Karen Lund The blue and pink aurora appear to touch the roof of this house in Stenton, East Lothian. The house is one and a halft storeys tall and is in silhouette though its windows are lit brightly.Karen Lund
The aurora appear to touch the roof of this house in Stenton, East Lothian