Andrew’s spectacular Northern Lights shot
A we l l - p o s i t i o n e d Per t h s h i re astrophotographer captured this stunning shot of the northern lights.
Andrew Allan, from Scone, set-up his camera on a country road between his hometown and Coupar Angus last Saturday night.
Patience was required but the former Perth Academy student was in luck when a delightful dancing display appeared in the skies.
Andrew (24) is no stranger to photographing the northern lights and has previously featured in the Perthshire Advertiser.
He admits every viewing of the natural phenomenon is special in its own individual way.
Andrew said: “There was a lot of media hype about the Aurora on Saturday night as there had been a huge solar flare that was predicted to hit earth and create a stunning northern lights display.
“Loads of people ventured out to witness it but unfortunately the solar flare took its time to arrive, which made a lot of people go home early. I stayed out from 7pm- 1am and the Aurora only kicked off from 11pm-1am - and it is always worth the wait.
“What makes the northern lights so special for me is that every display is different with its unique shapes and types of dances.
“Also, the ‘Aurora hunting’ makes it so much more rewarding as sometimes you go out and nothing happens.
“Perthshire is perfect for viewing the Aurora as the northern sky is over the highlands so light pollution isn’t too much of an issue.
“The landscape is perfect as there are not many large hills and mountains to obscure the northern horizon.”
Andrew’s social media account - Scotland’s Nightsky - has almost 10,000 followers on Facebook and his pictures of the northern lights went down a treat.
He is now on the hunt for more activity in the skies and this week travelled to Norway with fingers crossed for a spectacular night-time show.
Andrew said: “I’ve jetted off to Arctic Norway to Tromso which is 200 miles inside the Arctic circle.
“As the area is in the high latitudes the northern lights form overhead so, if it’s clear skies, it’s almost a guarantee to see them.”