The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Orkney – A Local’s Guide to Private Tours

You don’t have to travel to Iceland or Norway to see the Northern Lights. Here in Orkney, we call them the Mirrie Dancers — and when they appear, sweeping ribbons of green and violet across the northern sky, they’re every bit as spellbinding as those further north.

Winter in Orkney isn’t just quieter. It’s wilder, more intimate, and more rewarding. When the summer crowds have gone, the islands reveal their true character: brooding skies, restless seas, and ancient sites standing silent in the half-light. And with long, dark nights from September to March, Orkney becomes one of the best places in the UK to witness the aurora.

The difference? Here, you can see them above the Ring of Brodgar, over Yesnaby’s cliffs, or mirrored in the stillness of Harray Loch. And with a private tour of Orkney, you’ll have the freedom to chase the best skies with a local who knows where to go, when to move, and when to wait.

If seeing the Mirrie Dancers is on your list, we’ll build your private Orkney winter tour around the best vantage points.

Why Orkney is Perfect for Northern Lights Viewing

Dark Skies Without Long-Haul Flights

Orkney sits far enough north that the aurora can appear regularly in winter months, yet you don’t need a long-haul flight or Arctic temperatures to reach it. From Kirkwall, you’re just a short hop from mainland Scotland — and already in aurora country.

The Mirrie Dancers – Our Local Name

In Orkney dialect, the Northern Lights are known as the Mirrie Dancers, a name that perfectly captures their restless shimmer. Local folklore ties them to dancing spirits, shifting across the sky. When you see them for yourself, you’ll understand why generations here gave them a name that’s half science, half story.

When to Come

The aurora is most likely between September and March, when the nights are long and the skies dark. Peak viewing often comes in the coldest months — November through February — but it all depends on solar activity. With a guide watching the forecasts, you’ll know when to head out, and when to stay by the fire with a dram until the skies call.

The Science (and the Magic) of the Mirrie Dancers

The aurora is born far above our heads, where streams of charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions release light — green from oxygen, purple and crimson from nitrogen — and are funnelled towards the poles by Earth’s magnetic field. It’s space weather, painted across our skies.

But science can only explain part of it. Standing under a dancing sky, the effect is elemental. The Mirrie Dancers pass silent above as they have for all time.

The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Orkney

Birsay and the Brough of Birsay

On Orkney’s northwest tip, Birsay offers one of the widest northern horizons on the islands. From here, the aurora can spill across the sea, its reflection glowing in the swell. The Brough of Birsay tidal island, accessible at low tide, adds another layer of atmosphere.

Yesnaby Cliffs

Few backdrops match the cliffs of Yesnaby. Here the Atlantic hurls itself against the rocks, and above, the Mirrie Dancers twist in silence. On clear nights, this is one of the most dramatic spots to watch the sky.

The Ring of Brodgar

Imagine standing among Neolithic stones, aligned and raised thousands of years ago, while ribbons of light ripple above them. The Ring of Brodgar is one of the most atmospheric aurora-watching spots in Orkney — history, myth, and sky merging into one.

Stenness and Harray Lochs

For a more reflective experience, head to the lochs of Stenness or Harray. When the water is still, the aurora doubles itself, mirrored in silver. These are peaceful, sheltered places, ideal for those who prefer quiet watching to windswept drama.

Hoy

Remote and rugged, Hoy offers dark skies with almost no light pollution. From Rackwick Bay or the high ground, the aurora often fills the horizon. It’s a wilder experience, and reaching Hoy is best planned with a private guide who knows the ferry schedules and safe paths.

With a private Orkney tour, we’ll take you straight to these spots at the right time — and have a cosy café or dram ready for when the skies rest.

Practical Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Orkney

Timing and Patience

The aurora doesn’t appear every night. Sometimes it’s fleeting, sometimes it lasts for hours. Flexibility is key. With a private tour, we’ll stay alert to the forecasts and ready to move when conditions look good.

Weather Flexibility

Clouds are the aurora’s biggest enemy. But Orkney is full of vantage points, and knowing when to change location can make the difference between disappointment and wonder.

What to Bring

Warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a hat. A thermos of tea or coffee makes the wait not seem that way. For photography, a tripod and a camera with manual settings help capture the colours — though no photo quite matches the real thing.

More Winter Wonders in Orkney

Even if the Mirrie Dancers don’t show, Orkney in winter always rewards. Ancient sites like Skara Brae and Maeshowe feel more intimate without the summer crowds. Wildlife thrives along the coasts — seals, wintering birds, even the occasional orca. And on storm days, watching the Atlantic hurl itself against Yesnaby cliffs is unforgettable.

Why Choose a Private Tour for the Northern Lights?

Aurora chasing requires flexibility, local insight, and a safe, warm base between vantage points. That’s what a private Orkney tour offers. With Tour Orkney, it’s your group, your pace, your adventure. We know the island’s moods, the hidden spots, and the stories that bring them alive.

Ready to chase the Mirrie Dancers? Book your private Northern Lights tour of Orkney today.

Conclusion

Orkney is one of the best places in the UK to see the Northern Lights — not just because of latitude, but because of atmosphere. Here, the aurora dances over stone circles, cliffs, and seas that have shaped human lives for millennia.

Whether you’re here for the lights, the history, the wildlife, or all three, a private winter tour ensures you see Orkney at its most dramatic, most peaceful, and most alive.

Enquire now and let’s plan your private Orkney winter adventure.

FAQs – Northern Lights in Orkney

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Orkney?The Mirrie Dancers are most likely between September and March, with the best chances during clear, dark nights in winter.

Can you guarantee seeing the Northern Lights on a tour?No one can guarantee the aurora — they depend on solar activity and clear skies. But with local insight, flexible itineraries, and the right timing, your chances are much higher.

Do I need special equipment to photograph them?A tripod and a camera with manual settings help capture the colours, but even a good smartphone can record the lights on strong nights.

Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Orkney?

Top spots include Birsay, Yesnaby, the Ring of Brodgar, Stenness Loch, and Hoy — all accessible on a private tour.