Solar eclipse in pictures as Scots catch glimpse of phenomenon 

Scots have turned out in their droves to catch a glimpse of a rare partial solar eclipse.

The extremely rare event occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun.

Scots across the country turned out in their numbers to catch sight of the partial eclipse, with the next one not until 2081, and the next total eclipse not until 2090.

Crowds gathered at Calton Hill in Edinburgh and at a number of locations in the west of the country, which the Met Office identified as the best spot in Scotland to view the eclipse.

More than 90% of the sun was to be obscured by the moon between 6pm and 8.15pm on Wednesday, the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.

During the phenomenon, the eclipse was due to peak at around 7pm, when only a small arc of the sun was visible at the top.

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The moon then continues to drift across the left of the sun, before clearing it shortly after 8pm.

Forecasters warned stargazers that the rare event was likely to be hidden behind clouds for many, though visible in some areas.

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The forecaster said there may also have been breaks in cloud cover in the central belt and southern Scotland.

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STV News Meteorologist Sean Batty was in Mallorca, which fell into complete darkness for two minutes.

Other events in the south of Scotland include the Red Burn Farm in Glasgow and the Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright.

Viewing events further north included the Tomintoul Skyhide Stargazing Pavilion in Ballindalloch and Mosstowie Primary School in Elgin.

Events also took place on some of Scotland’s islands, including at Midhowe Broch Car Park, Rousay, Orkney, and at Ardminish on the Isle of Gigha.

Met Office

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