North Braced For Eclipsed Watchers

A near-total solar eclipse is expected to bring thousands of astro-tourists to the north of Scotland this week. The dark skies of remoter parts of the country are said to offer the perfect environment to view the rare phenomenon on Friday morning. The eclipse is predicted to be approximately 98% on the Isle of Lewis and 97% in Shetland, making the islands some of the darkest places in the UK. Steve Mathieson, VisitScotland's island manager on Shetland, said: The solar eclipse is a hugely exciting and rare phenomenon, and Shetland in particular is in the right place at the right time.We will have 97% darkness on Shetland during the eclipse so this will be one of the best places in the whole of the UK to witness the phenomenon.'' Cruise and Maritime Voyages are running three solar eclipse cruises, with more than 2,500 passengers heading north to destinations including Lerwick in Shetland and Kirkwall on Orkney. Mr Mathieson said: We're delighted that nearly 2,000 extra visitors will spend a day exploring Shetland on their way up north to watch the eclipse, but it's also not too late for others to get involved with this special astro-tourism experience and book their trip here to watch the eclipse and then enjoy the stunning scenery of Shetland.'' A viewing event will be held at Sumburgh Head lighthouse visitor centre and nature reserve on Shetland on Friday morning, while Frankie's in Brae, recently named the number one fish and chip shop in the UK, is offering a specialeclipse platter''. The cosmic event is happening at 8.25am on Friday with another near-total eclipse not expected in the UK until 2026.