An extraordinary aurora borealis display lit up the skies over the Scottish Highlands on Sunday night, January 19, 2026, with vivid red and green curtains visible to the naked eye — a rarity even for northern Scotland.
The spectacle was captured and shared by photographer Keiran Bellis, whose post featured a short video and a series of striking images showing intense crimson arcs blending into green bands beneath star-filled skies and silhouetted trees. Many viewers described the scene as one of the most dramatic auroras seen in the UK in recent years.
An amazing #Aurora in the sky tonight over the #ScottishHighlands One of the best examples of the #NorthernLights I have seen, clear and visible with the naked eye. pic.twitter.com/WdWxknLP71
— Keiran Bellis 🏴 🇬🇧 (@keiranmbellis) January 19, 2026
A Solar Storm Pushed Auroras Far South
Space weather experts say the display was triggered by a severe geomagnetic storm, classified as G4 (Severe), following a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) released by the Sun on January 18. The CME — associated with an X-class solar flare — slammed into Earth’s magnetic field, energising particles that ignited auroras far beyond their usual polar regions.
According to data and forecasts from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the storm was strong enough to push auroral visibility south across much of the UK and into parts of northern Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands and even Cornwall.
Rare Reds Steal the Show
What made this event especially striking was the dominance of deep red hues — a colour typically seen only during stronger geomagnetic storms. Red auroras form at higher altitudes when oxygen atoms are excited by high-energy solar particles, and they are far less common than the familiar green glow.
Observers across the Highlands reported that the lights were clearly visible without cameras or telescopes, with some describing the sky as appearing “on fire” at peak intensity.
Widespread Sightings, Limited Disruption
Replies to Bellis’s post and other social media reports poured in from across the UK and Europe, with users sharing photos and videos from England, Wales, Ireland and mainland Europe. Despite the storm’s strength, there were no major power outages reported.
Space weather agencies did, however, warn that storms of this magnitude can pose risks to satellite operations, GPS accuracy and high-frequency radio communications. NOAA noted that temporary issues were possible, though impacts appeared to be minimal during this event.
More Aurora Activity Possible
Forecasters say aurora watchers should remain alert over the coming days. Additional solar activity remains possible as the Sun approaches the more active phase of its 11-year solar cycle, increasing the chances of further geomagnetic storms in 2026.
For skywatchers in northern latitudes, Sunday night’s display served as a vivid reminder that some of the most spectacular natural phenomena still arrive without warning — and can turn an ordinary winter night into something unforgettable.
Related coverage: Severe geomagnetic storm warnings and visibility forecasts explained
