Northern Lights in Angus Glens, Scotland

The Angus Glens — a series of Highland valleys cutting northward from the fertile Angus lowlands into the southeastern edge of what is now the Cairngorms National Park — offer an underrated and genuinely atmospheric aurora viewing experience. At 56.7°N, these glens require a KP index of 5 for reliable aurora displays, but the combination of elevated glen floors, minimal light pollution from the small market towns of Forfar and Kirriemuir at the glen mouths, and Dark Sky Discovery Site designations makes this an excellent east Scotland aurora destination.

Glen Clova, the most accessible and visited of the Angus Glens, extends over 20 km from Kirriemuir into the heart of the Cairngorms. The glen's U-shaped glacial profile provides a natural channel funneling views upward toward a strip of dark sky. Glen Prosen, adjacent to Clova, is quieter and less visited — offering comparable dark skies with a more intimate and less crowded viewing experience.

The Angus Glens are within 1 to 1.5 hours of Edinburgh and Dundee, making them practical destinations for aurora chasing without requiring an overnight stay further north. This accessibility, combined with the genuine darkness of the higher glen sections, makes them a valuable addition to any Scottish aurora itinerary. Monitor the aurora forecast for real-time conditions.

The head of Glen Clova around the Clova Hotel and beyond toward Loch Brandy provides the glen's darkest viewing conditions. Driving the full length of the glen (about 20 km from Kirriemuir) brings you to a dramatic mountain cul-de-sac where glen walls on three sides frame a rectangle of dark sky to the south and east. The Corrie Fee Nature Reserve trail above the glen head offers elevated viewpoints in exceptional conditions.

Glen Prosen provides a similar experience with even fewer visitors. The upper glen around Prosen village and beyond provides Dark Sky Discovery Site conditions with mountain foreground on multiple sides. The Loch Brandy walk from the Clova Hotel leads to a dramatic corrie loch that reflects aurora on its still surface when conditions align.

The market towns at the glen entrances — Kirriemuir (birthplace of J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan) and Forfar — provide service bases before driving into the glens. The Angus Glens Moorland Group areas on the high plateaus above the glens provide the region's darkest conditions, though access is more restricted. Use our KP index resources to understand when to set out for the glens.

The aurora season in the Angus Glens runs from October through February, when nights are long and dark enough for meaningful displays. October is a fine starting month — the glen hills show autumn colors, the temperature is bearable for outdoor viewing, and the first strong geomagnetic events of the season can produce impressive shows.

The November to January period provides the most darkness (up to 17 hours in December) and the greatest potential viewing windows, though Highland cloud cover is a persistent challenge in the glens. East Scotland — the Angus and Aberdeenshire coast — benefits from a mild rain shadow effect compared to western Scotland, producing somewhat better clear-sky statistics than the west Highlands.

February and March bring the spring equinox boost to geomagnetic activity along with recovering daylight that allows exploring the glens during the day before aurora viewing at night. The Angus Glens in late winter, with snow still capping the high plateaus and clear air from the north, provide auroras of remarkable clarity and beauty. Check our best time to see page for equinox timing information.

The Angus Glens are accessible by car from Edinburgh (EDI, approximately 90 minutes) or Dundee Airport (DND, 30-40 minutes). Aberdeen Airport is also within reasonable driving distance — around 90 minutes to the glen mouths. A car is essential — there is no public transport into the upper glens.

The main accommodation base is Kirriemuir (for Glen Clova and Glen Prosen) or the Clova Hotel itself at the upper glen. The Clova Hotel is a popular walkers' and aurora chasers' destination, with meals and accommodation in the heart of the dark sky territory. Forfar and Glamis offer additional accommodation options.

Glen roads are relatively straightforward single-track roads suitable for standard cars, though winter driving requires care on icy sections. The glen roads dead-end at the mountain faces, so navigation is straightforward. Bring warm layered clothing, a head torch, and waterproof gear. The Angus Council and Cairngorms National Park Authority websites provide information on access and conditions. Prepare for photography with our aurora photography guide.