Barra is being tipped as the best place in Scotland to see the eclipse of the sun on Wednesday, August 12.

BBC weather forecaster Sean Batty predicts Barra will see, weather permitting, 93% of the sun being blocked at maximum eclipse.

The worst place in Scotland, Batty reckons, will be Unst in Shetland, where 88% of the sun will be eclipsed, the lowest percentage in Scotland.

The eclipse, which will be visible from 6 pm on August 12, comes with a warning, with Batty pointing out: “It seems obvious, but I have to say it – never look directly at the sun, even at maximum eclipse.”

He recommends purchasing eclipse glasses or making a pinhole camera; essentially a sheet of paper with a hole in it. There are how-to videos online.

Discussing where the best place to view the eclipse is, Batty notes: “Well, that all comes down to the details of cloud cover on the day, and we’re still a bit too far out meteorologically to pick a spot. I’m hoping to be in the best location, but I don’t think I will be able to pick my spotting point until just a few days before the event, when we have a bit more confidence.

“That being said, because this solar eclipse will occur nearer the end of the day, having a clear view to the west is vital as the sun will be lower in the sky, although the full eclipse will occur during sun up, as it doesn’t set until 8 pm on that day.”

With Barra emerging as the best spot in Scotland for eclipse viewers, only overshadowed by Majorca and northern Spain which will be plunged into complete darkness, the popular BBC weatherman states: “Barra will see the maximum eclipse in Scotland, with 93% of the sun being blocked out at maximum eclipse, compared to 88% over Unst in Shetland – the least eclipsed place in Scotland – but that’s still very impressive!”

If you miss this eclipse, you will have a long wait for a bigger eclipse: September 2090 and a full eclipse in 2135.

Image content - Sean Batty