Strong Aurora forecasts on Mull
Treshnish is very well placed when there are strong aurora forecasts. Being in the north, on an island, on a headland. And with a north facing coastline, we can instinctively look in the right direction. At Haunn it is a question of looking across the Haunn field. There is little light pollution to disturb our night vision.
Forecasters are saying that this year is going to be a year for very strong Aurora forecasts.
January 19th 2026
I use the Glendale Skye Aurora app to check what activity is. It is run by Andy Stables, it is free. Stables has a unique arrangement whereby he has access to all the data around the UK regarding solar activity. Because he enables free access to all, he is not charged for sharing their data. Glendale is 60 miles to the north of here. So if I can see Andy Stables has photographed the aurora in Glendale, there is a very good chance I will be able to do the same. If the sky is clear.
January 19th was an exceptionally strong forecast. I believe it was the strongest Andy Stables had ever recorded. Typically we did not have the clearest skies. There was a lot of cloud about but the activity was so strong, the cloud seeped through the clouds.
Shian and Duill
I like to walk out into the field behind Shian and Duill and photograph the Aurora over the cottages. I had hoped there would be lots of pink in the sky, but it was all green!
The naked eye v. the camera
If you are new to aurora hunting, and in the UK, it is good to set your expectations at a reasonable level. The camera records much more in a photograph than the naked eye sees. However on exceptionally active nights, like the 19th January, it is possible to see colour as well as movement. But that doesn’t happen often.
The magic for me is being outside, on a clear night watching the stars, seeing the lights – and sometimes like the other night, seeing the colours. As a photographer I enjoy testing what the camera can record in comparison to what I can actually see.
