The aurora borealis is one of nature’s great wonders, sending shimmering flashes of colour whirring across the night sky.
Shetland’s location at 60º North makes it the ideal place in Britain to see the phenomenon, known locally as the “mirrie dancers”.
That Shetland name comes from the dialect word ‘mirr’ which means to shimmer. The descriptive “dancer” element is self-explanatory, but the name beautifully encapsulates the dramatic phenomenon.
Of course, there is never any guarantee of spotting the northern lights – sometimes there’s too much cloud, sometimes they are simply not there. The thrill of the chase is all part of the attraction.
And in any winter, when the clouds clear and the stars sparkle, Shetlanders are always on the lookout for mirrie dancers. When they do appear, it can be awe-inspiring.
That happened recently when the night was frosty and the skies danced. We hope you enjoy our gallery (the first few images are from 10th February, a particularly prominent display, but the gallery also includes some taken on previous occasions).
If seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list, we’ve got lots of tips and information about the mirrie dancers in Shetland that can help you plan a visit.
Elsewhere, there are many apps and websites which will alert you to the possibility of a display, and the Shetland Aurora Hunter Facebook group is a valuable source of information.